Craft Beer Tours: Explore Local Breweries in Cincinnati
Exploring craft beers is a hobby many have grown to love, and with it comes the emergence of craft beer tours. These tours offer the opportunity to explore local breweries, taste unique beers, and learn about the craftsmanship behind every pint on your brewery trips near me.
From learning about the brewing process to trying freshly brewed beer, craft brewery tours connect you to the local culture and the passionate people who fill each glass.
Crafting the Perfect Craft Beer Tour Itinerary
Planning is the most critical part of making the best out of a craft beer tour. Some tips to come up with the perfect itinerary are:
- Research Local Breweries
First, there are local breweries within your immediate vicinity or along your travel route. Many places have clusters of breweries that one can visit in one day. Check Google Maps, Tripadvisor, or websites like Brewing Heritage Trail for details on tours near you.
- Make your reservations in advance
Some breweries offer public tours that you can find on their websites, others are affiliated with tour agencies and some require you to privately email them in advance for a private tour. Make sure you check and plan your day a week in advance.
- Plan your transportation
Safety always comes first! If you plan to visit multiple breweries, ensure you arrange for transportation, such as a ride-share service, or designate a sober driver. Then, off you go to enjoy your tastings with peace of mind and a good conscience.
- Food Pairing with Your Craft Beer Experience
No brewery tour will ever be complete without some flavorsome delicacies that taste great with beer. Most breweries often serve food along with their beer. Trust the brewery you choose to give you the best food- beer pairings.
Tips for Brewery Trips Near Me
Make sure your brewery tour is a blast and a learning experience by following these tips:
- Hydrate and Pace Yourself
Sampling beers from a reserve is quite fun; however, drink water in between to clean your palate and feel fresh. Finally, drink in moderation so that you can relish the experience without getting too carried away.
- Take Notes on Your Favorite Beers
Write down a few beers you are trying, and your impressions of them, and later at night, look for your favorites.
- Bring a Growler
Several breweries, like the Little Miami Brewing Company, allow you to bring home your favorite brews in growlers. You can extend your time at the brewery and enjoy your favorite beer after the tour as well.
Why Visit a Local Brewery?
It’s not so much about the taste of beer per se, but it’s a pretty fun way to check out your local beer scene, partake in the craft community, and sample new local brews. Here’s what makes a craft beer tour worth your time:
- Support Local Businesses
Each craft is brewed with heart and soul, and when you are joining a craft beer tour, you will be directly supporting local brewers. Different breweries have their stories, histories, and specialties; trust us, it’s as fun as it sounds!
- Unique Character of Each Brewery
A craft brewery has its personality. From the décore to brewing and making beer differently at every brewery, everything is unique.
- Social Factors About Brewery Tours
Microbrewery tours are educational; however, they are also social. If it’s an outing with friends, family, or colleagues, these tours will find you a perfect environment to bond over shared experiences.
Top 5 Breweries in Cincinnati:
Cincinnati is a city that has many unique craft beer experiences. You must try these top 5 award-winning local breweries recognized by CityBeat:
- Rhinegeist Brewery: They believe that beer is the great unifier with the power to bring people together. Rhinegeist means “Ghost of the Rhine” and is a testament to their place in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati.
- Little Miami Brewing Company: Our personal favorite! :p Our mission is to make you as passionate about great beer as we are. We are a small-batch microbrewery that offers the best that craft beer can offer. Our brewmaster has 25 years of experience, so one of our 16 fresh choices is bound to suit you. Remember to indulge in our homemade pizza. We also have an awesome rooftop bar and riverside seating.
- Urban Artifact.: Their slogan ‘wild culture’ says almost everything you should know about them. With live music every day, a taproom inside an old church, and real fruit in their beers, they have embraced weirdness with eclectic flavors and brewing methods.
- MadTree Brewing: Boasting over 30 taps including beer, wine, cider, and cocktails you’re sure to find something you love. With a wide menu and zero-waste policy, this place should definitely be on your list!
- Fretboard Brewing Company This brewery dramatically changes the game in craft beer by offering a good variety of beers, like Punk IPA, along with a large food menu.
Start Your Brewery Trip at Little Miami Brewing Company
If you happen to be serious about embarking on a journey craft beer journey, Little Miami Brewing Company couldn’t be a better place to start. Located beside the scenic Little Miami River, offering the perfect blend of delicious beers, views of great nature, and warmth in our atmosphere.
Riverside Charm and Signature Brews
Some of our signature brews to try are:
- Blackbird Fly (ABV 5.0%, IBU 15): Unfiltered American wheat beer with fresh blackberry puree
- Earth Cookie (ABV 6.0%, IBU 20): Nutty brown ale with a rich, beautiful mahogany color. With just a hint of chocolate, coffee, and notes from roasted barley
- Oktoberfest (Märzen ABV 7.0%, IBU 25): A classic Märzen brewed with Munich malt and German hops with a malty, bread-like aroma with just a hint of sweetness!
What to Expect on a Brewery Tour at Little Miami Brewing Company
A visit to Little Miami Brewing Company is more than sipping on a fine beer; it is a chance to dip into the world of craft beer. Take a look at what you can expect from your visit during the tour:
- Guided Tastings: It doesn’t get any better than a personalized guided tour, does it?
- Access Behind the Scenes: From barley malt right through to hops. You’ll see everything from the grains used to fermentation tanks, where all the magic happens. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at some of the hard work and precision that happens with every brew.
- Meet the Brewers: Completing the true craft beer tour without a conversation with the masters is not possible. Visiting us will allow you to sit down with the brewer to discuss such topics as their journey into brewing, beer styles, and the brewing process.
- Scenic Riverside Taproom: The brewery lies along the banks of the Little Miami River, where it presents a setting of great beer blended with breathtaking views.
- Family-Friendly Environment: You can come here with friends or the family and even your dog!
- Wide Range of Beers on Tap: Check out our beers on offer here
Are you excited to go on a brewery tour? Email us at reserve@littlemiamibrewing.com to reserve a private tour.