Ever tasted a beer that just felt fresh, like it captured a moment in time? That’s the magic of local ingredients. A great beer should tell the story of its place and the people who make it.

That idea is the heart of our farm-to-glass approach. It connects our craft right back to Ohio farms and our community here in Cincinnati. We want to show you how things like Ohio hops and other local ingredients in beer help us pour the true taste of this region into your pint.

Let’s explore why going local and farm-to-glass makes all the difference.

Why Local Ingredients Matter in Craft Beer

You have probably heard of the farm-to-table movement in food. Well, farm-to-glass is the same idea for beer. It’s all about knowing where your ingredients come from and how they shape what’s in your pint.

For us, using local ingredients in beer is a core part of who we are. It means our grains and hops are fresher, directly boosting the flavor in your glass. It’s our way of supporting our neighbors and local farmers, strengthening our community. And it means we’re brewing more sustainably by reducing the miles our ingredients travel.

This local focus is something you’ll find with many Cincinnati breweries sourcing their goods close to home. It’s how we create a real taste of our region. A beer made with Ohio grains and hops has a character you just cannot get from ingredients shipped across the country. It is a flavor that is truly ours.

Ohio Hops: The Heart of Local Flavor

You know how a fresh tomato from your garden just tastes better? Hops are the same way. Using hops grown in Ohio gives our beer a freshness you can really taste.

A New Era for Ohio Grown Hops

We’re seeing more Ohio farmers growing amazing hops, and we work directly with them. This means the hops in our tanks are often still fresh from the harvest. It feels good to know exactly whose field our ingredients came from.

How We Celebrate Ohio Hops

We use these local hops in beers where their character can stand out. They might add a gentle, earthy flavor or a bright, floral aroma. That connection is something we care about. It’s a big part of the story in every glass of our locally brewed beer we serve you.

From Local Fields to the Fermenter

Hops get all the glory. But the grain and the malt are the heart of the beer. It’s what gives it that color and soul. And we think getting our grains from right here in Ohio makes for a much better story in your glass.

Supporting Local Maltsters

We’ve got a great maltster a few towns over who works with Ohio farmers. We source our grain from them because it’s fresh, and frankly, we know we’re supporting our neighbors. It just feels right, and we think that care comes through in the flavor.

Our Approach to Local Sourcing

When you taste something like our Earth Cookie Brown Ale, with its nutty, chocolate character, that’s Ohio grain you’re tasting. We build our beers to let that local quality shine through. For us, that’s what Cincinnati breweries sourcing is all about: making honest beer with our community.

Brewing with the Seasons: How Local Ingredients Inspire New Flavors

Just like the food at a farmers’ market changes throughout the year, so do our beers. We love letting the local harvest guide what we brew next. It keeps things interesting for us and for you.

The Role of Seasonality in Craft Beer

Brewing with the seasons connects you to the rhythm of our region. When we get a fresh crop of hops in the fall, we want to get it into a tank right away. That immediate use captures a vibrant, fresh character that you can’t get any other way. It is one of the true joys of farm-to-glass brewing.

Our Seasonal and Limited Releases

This is where we really get to have some fun. Our Harvest Moon IPA is a perfect example. We make it with a huge amount of fresh hops from right here in Ohio, the moment they are picked. That is why it has such a bright, green, lively hop character. It is our way of bottling up an Ohio autumn. We do the same thing in the fall with our Witches Brew, using spices that just feel right when the air gets crisp. Each one is a limited-time seasonal beer that celebrates what is growing right now.

The Community Connection

The best part of our job is not just making beer. It is the people we meet because of it. The local farmers who grow our hops. The neighbors who become regulars. The local bands that play on our stage. That’s what this is really about.

Strengthening Local Ties

We are not just a business on the map. We are part of this town. We host charity events and fundraisers because this is our home, too. When you buy a pint, you are supporting a whole circle of people right here. That is what Cincinnati breweries sourcing locally should do.

Taste of Place

When you drink one of our beers made with Ohio grain, you are tasting something you cannot get anywhere else. You are getting a taste of this specific riverbank, this soil, this community. That is what makes our locally brewed beer special. It is not just a drink. It is a story about this place, and we are happy to share it with you.

FAQs: Everything You’ve Wanted to Know About Local Beer

We get some great questions at the bar. Here are a few common ones about what makes local beer special.

What are Ohio hops?

They are simply hops grown by farmers right here in our state (like E’desem and Alleigh). Using them gives our beers a fresh, local character you can taste.

Why do local ingredients matter in beer?

Freshness is everything. Local ingredients are often fresher, which means better flavor in your glass. It also lets us create beers that truly represent our region.

Do local ingredients change the taste of beer?

Absolutely. Local Ohio hops might have different earthy or floral notes compared to others. Local malts can add a unique toasty quality. These small differences create a beer with a real sense of place.

Are Cincinnati breweries really sourcing locally?

Yes, many of us are. We are proud to be part of a community of Cincinnati breweries that values quality and supports our local economy. It is a commitment to our home that you can taste in every pint.

Your Next Local Pint is Waiting

At the end of the day, all this talk about local grain and fresh hops really comes down to one simple thing: sharing a great beer with you. 

At Little Miami Brewing Company, we put our heart into every batch because we want you to taste the care and community in your glass. This connection is what makes the Cincinnati craft beer scene so special.

So what do you say? Your next favorite beer is on tap, waiting for you. Come down to Little Miami Brewing Company, find a spot on our patio, and let us pour you a story. We would love to hear what you think and share our passion for these local ingredients in beer face-to-face. Visit us today and enjoy the fresh beer made with local ingredients!