Just over four years after its initial announcement, Ohio Brewing Company has officially opened in Columbus.
Hailing from Cuyahoga Falls, the brewery set up operations in a 37,000 square foot former warehouse at 421 E. Second Ave. to Milo Grogan.
The massive space is a grand tribute to the Buckeye State, with Ohio-themed artwork and the faces of Ohio notables lining the walls. How big is the space? Brutus pilots a (small) airplane suspended from the ceiling.
The Ohio Brewing Company’s beer menu features a variety of styles – Mexican lager, pilsner, IPAs, nitro Irish stout and more, all unique to northeast Ohio. Of their current eight taps, brewmaster Joe Kearns says six will likely be mainstays with a few rotating seasons.
The location’s brewery is set up for more than just on-site consumption, but is launching the brand into distribution capability with its size and own canning line. Beers from the Ohio Brewing Company began to appear in other bars and restaurants and at outlets in central Ohio.
To accompany its beers, Ohio Brewing Company offers a varied menu of bar food. Beer is making its way into the appetizer aisle, with fries or soft pretzels and beer cheese, or beer breaded cheese curds. Wings and dips complete the entrees.
In the main course section, on the lighter side are salads, and on the side I need carbs to soak up my beer are burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, pizzas, and tacos. Sandwiches include signatures like the 2nd-to-None, homemade Pitchback Session IPA-braised corned beef, pastrami, homemade creamy coleslaw and sourdough Swiss cheese, or the Darby Dagwood, with the the same corned beef and pastrami with the turkey, ham, mozzarella and cheddar, topped with roasted garlic and olive aioli on a sourdough baguette.
Ohio Brewing Company in Columbus is owned by Elenida Veliu, who also co-owns the Cleveland site. Veliu is the wife of Jim Velio, owner of Jimmy V’s and a dozen other bar and restaurant concepts in central Ohio, bringing years of industry experience.
Since opening earlier this month, Velio says things are still in the first phase. Plans are underway to build a stage on the patio and begin hosting live music. They will also add two petanque courts. Additionally, an event space is slated to open early next month, offering indoor and outdoor spaces.
Ohio Brewing Company opens at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit ohiobrewingcolumbus.com.
All photos by Susan Post
