If you’re looking for cool places in Cincinnati to visit, look no further than the city’s vibrant beer scene. From fresh craft beers to live entertainment and outdoor seating, Cincinnati has a lot to offer. Check out the views and explore the city’s rich beer history at these five local breweries that top the list of must-see locales. 

Cincinnati’s Rich Beer History Overview

Some of the best breweries in Cincinnati are located along the historic riverfront, where Ohio beer brewing got its start in the early 1800s. Immigrants from France, England, Ireland, and later, Germany, opened the first Cincinnati breweries to produce their favorite beers from home. Ales and porters came first, but as German immigration increased, traditional German beers gained popularity during the 1830s.

Lagers soon became the preferred choice in Cincinnati beers. During the height of the cholera pandemic, lager was safer to drink than water, and men, women, and children enjoyed a pint regularly. However, it required cold fermentation temperatures, which presented a problem for brewers during warm Ohio summers. Brewers adapted by moving their operations underground and using piping systems to circulate cold water and ice.

By the turn of the 20th century, Cincinnati was famous for its beer production and consumption. The amount of beer consumed in the city was estimated to be 2.5 times the national average. Local breweries and saloons created a social culture around cold beer.

During Prohibition, brewing continued in secret, and Cincinnati was named the third “wettest” city in the U.S. The national thirst for Cincinnati craft beer remained strong into the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s before brewing giants from St. Louis and Milwaukee overtook smaller operations.

Today, a new generation of brewers has revitalized Cincinnati’s heritage through small craft brewery operations focusing on microbrews and fresh craft beers on tap.

Top 5 Breweries in Cincinnati for Local Beer Lovers

Whether you’re looking to have a couple of beers or try some Cincinnati pizza, these five local breweries are the top spots in the city to catch a Bengals or Reds game, meet up with friends, or grab a bite to eat.

1. Little Miami Brewing Company

Little Miami Brewing Company is located in the heart of historic Old Milford on the banks of the Little Miami River. Offering a wide selection of beers from hoppy IPAs to crisp lagers, Little Miami Brewing Company has 16 varieties of fresh beer on tap daily, with seasonal beers rotated throughout the year.

Its award-winning small-batch craft beer is made using local ingredients, capturing the international flavors that first kicked off Cincinnati’s beer boom. Try German Amber, a sweet, malty lager; Belgian Pear, a farmhouse ale made with real pear juice; or a classic Irish Red Ale with notes of caramel and toffee. New customers and regulars alike leave rave reviews, with beer ratings from Little Miami Brewing Company leading the city’s best Cincinnati beers. 

Hungry? The Little Miami Brewing Company menu features brick oven pizzas made daily from scratch. Traditional meat lovers can go with The Old Milford, loaded with pepperoni, sausage, and bacon. If you’re feeling more adventurous, order a Figgy Piggy with fig jam base, prosciutto, red onions, and goat cheese. Pair your pizza with appetizers and a salad. Little Miami Brewing Company also offers a lunch menu and a weekend pizza brunch featuring signature breakfast pizza options.

Relax with friends or business associates in the taproom or on the scenic rooftop patio with breathtaking views of the Little Miami River. Enjoy live music or host your own event in the Little Miami Brewing Company events center.

2. Northern Row

 A historic taproom in the Over-the-Rhine Brewery District, Northern Row is a family-friendly Cincinnati attraction with convenient access to the streetcar. Constructed in 1895, Northern Row’s taproom showcases the original Carnegie steel-riveted columns and beams from the building’s early years as a Lagering icehouse.

Beers are on tap to satisfy every taste, from a light German-style Pilsner, barrel-aged beer finished in a bourbon barrel, and seasonal options like the Traveler, an English brown ale with notes of chocolate and coffee. A farm-to-table menu changes seasonally with weekly specials that include small bite plates, salads, sandwiches, and traditional pub fare.

3. Urban Artifact

Found in the basement of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood, Urban Artifact specializes in world-class beers made exclusively with real fruit. Take the opportunity to try a dozen beers with Urban Artifact’s beer flights, which come with your choice of four items on draft. Share with friends or keep your favorites all to yourself.

Urban Artifact also offers vintage beers with prehistoric monikers and fruit-based wine and cocktails. Come for the drinks and stay for live shows on the Radio Artifact soundstage, or rent the event space for a larger gathering.

4. Fibonacci Brewing Company

Located right outside of Cincinnati in the city of Mount Healthy, Fibonacci Brewing Company serves as both a nanobrewery and urban farm. Beer ingredients are locally sourced, grown, or foraged onsite, with beer menu offerings available year-round, on a rotating basis, or seasonally. Sample a Tollhouse American Stout, a deep black pour with a tan head and hints of cinnamon and vanilla, reminiscent of holiday baked goods.

Guests at Fibonacci can commune with goats, chickens, and honeybees or help themselves to a book from the Little Free Library at the end of the walk. Catch live musical performances March through October by local artists on the outdoor beer garden stage. Food trucks are frequently available to provide dining options.

5. Listermann Brewing Company

Listermann Brewing Company is a neighborhood craft brewery and home brew supply store. Eighteen rotating taps serve Cincinnati local beer, wine, cider, and mead. With names like Friar Bacon, a smoked Bock; and Nutcase, a peanut butter-inspired Porter, the folks at Listermann have a good sense of humor.

While you’re there, grab a bite to pair with your drinks. The kitchen offers charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and flatbreads, including vegetarian options. The patio is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your best friend along for the experience.

Experience the Best Milford Brewery for Craft Beer Fans

For the total craft brewery experience, Little Miami Brewing Company has it all: a historical, picturesque setting with indoor and outdoor dining options, a beer menu second to none, and one of the most frequented restaurants in Milford, Ohio. Little Miami Brewing Company is the place to be if you’re looking for Cincinnati’s finest. Come visit us today!