Listermann Brewing Company
1621 Dana Ave, Norwood
You could draw a dotted line from Listermann Brewing Company to just about every brewery in Cincinnati. Dan Listermann turned the homebrew supply store that he opened in the 1990s into a taproom, and has been producing some of the city’s best beer since 2008. Known for standouts like their Chickow! Brown Ale and Nutcase Peanut Butter Porter, the brewery has also developed a cult following for its top-shelf New England IPAs.
Listermann also has produced some fun beers supporting all kinds of great causes, from their uber-popular Team Fiona and Cincinnati Zoo series, to King Records, Elementz, Women Helping Women, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and more.
The smallish taproom features two distinct spaces – a pub-like main bar area, and and open area with long picnic tables that’s great for groups. They also feature food with a walk-up window.
The brewery originally planned to open a second location with a German beer hall concept in the Central Business District, but instead opened Listermann Trail House in the former Delicio Pizza space just down the street from their original location in Norwood. The location was short-lived, however, and closed in August 2022.
In 2023, Dan Listermann and his wife Sue sold the brewery to Steve and Terrie Ipsos and entered retirement.
Listermann has also expanded into making other alcoholic beverages, including cider, mead, and wine under the Listermann Fermatorium banner.
Must-try beer: Brass Monkey (New England IPA) – Listermann was by far the most difficult brewery to pick just one beer from, because it’s my favorite brewery, and they make not only so many different beers, but so many varied styles – and they’re all great. But Brass Monkey is probably the beer that got me hooked on the haze craze, and this juice bomb is a huge hit every year when it comes out.
Other great beers: Cuvee de 75, Chickow!, Nutcase Peanut Butter Porter, Team Fiona
Major Awards
Great American Beer Festival
- Scoring Discrepancies (Field Beer) – Gold Medal – 2019
- Nutcase (Specialty Beer) – Bronze Medal – 2014
US Open Beer Championship
- Chickow! Coconut Fudge (Nut Beer) – Gold Medal – 2023
- Ichor: Zeus (Nut Beer) – Silver Medal – 2023
- Iceman Cometh (India Pale Lager) – Gold Medal – 2021
- I Hated Listermann Before It Was Cool (Imperial Stout Extreme – 12.5%+ ABV) – Bronze Medal – 2021
- I Hated Listermann Before It Was Cool – #2 Favorite Beer Name – 2021
- Chickow! (Nut Beer) – Gold Medal – 2020
- Nutcase (Peanut Butter Beer) – Silver Medal – 2020
- XII (Blended Barrel-Aged Beer) – Silver Medal – 2020
- Smoked Porter (Smoked Porter) – Bronze Medal – 2020
- Peach Brandy Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Brandy Barrel-Aged Beer) – Gold Medal – 2019
- Chickow! (Nut Beer) – Silver Medal – 2019
- Nutcase (Peanut Butter/Nut Beer) – Gold Medal – 2018
Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beers
- Wealthy Financier (Cider/Perry/Mead) – Bronze Medal – 2023
- Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Specialty/Experimental) – Gold Medal – 2017
- Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Best in Show) – Runner Up – 2017
- Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Specialty/Experimental) – Gold Medal – 2016
- Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Best of Show) – Winner – 2016
- Barrel-Aged Chickow! (Specialty/Experimental) – Silver Medal – 2015
King of Ohio
- French Toast (Specialty Beer) – First Place – 2017