While less common than craft beer, Dysfunction will enter an Ohio market already including 174 mead products, according to the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.
“I decided it was time to take a chance,” Brad Ryles, a former City of Dayton employee, said earlier this month.
MORE: New microbrewery planned in Centerville
Ryles said he plans to make and sell mead and hard cider in the Lebanon North Plaza shopping center.
Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey. It is served in addition to beer at some microbreweries.
The couple has yet to apply for a liquor permit.
Ryles said he needed to get a wall built in the old Dollar General space before he could be granted a state liquor permit. He has been issued permits by the city of Lebanon.
Ryles said he was working with contractors and seeking the county permit he would need before opening.
“We’re probably two to three months from getting open,” Ryles said.
Ryles said he has invested his retirement from working 18 years for the city of Dayton in the business venture. He said he had been brewing beer and mead at home for a decade.
MORE: $10M Lebanon factory redevelopment to include microbrewery
Ryles said he has also signed up 80 members for shares of batches and other privileges. For $1,500, members can “brew your own,” according to the website.
“With the encouragement from my lovely wife, we have decided to head on a new career path in the craft beverage community,” according to the business website. ”We have listened and been overwhelmed by folks asking to try our product and realize the only way is to grow is to go commercial, but doing so takes a lot of time and financial investment.”
RELATED:Meads to join beer lineup at Huber Heights microbrewery
In March, Hairless Hare in Huber Heights announced plans to make mead as part of an expansion.
Dave Smart, an award-winning home mead maker, is to produce under the “Blackbird Meadery” label. Meads is to be available in the taproom and in limited-edition bottles.
The state mead list includes imports, as well as products made in Ohio. Star City Brewing in Miamisburg and Listermann Fermatorium in Cincinnati are listed.
"We do not have a meadery-specific license in Ohio. However, we do have a list of products (attached) that are registered as a mead which is classified as a wine product," according to Lindsey Leberth, brand manager for the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control.
About the Author
