WANT TO GO?
What: Mudlick Tap House
Where: 3 E. Market St., Germantown
Next float trip: Mudlick floats will continue throughout the summer every other Monday. There's a "Fifty Float" scheduled to take place on June 30 that will run from the Germantown Dam to Kercher Park. The floats launch at 6 p.m., so be early to get your boat unloaded and ready to go. Kayak rentals are available from Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe Livery for $25 and livery service is $5. Reservations are required by emailing jen@mudlicktaphouse.com. Please note: You will need to allow time to complete the waiver upon arrival. Owner Jen Dean says the best way to keep up with Mudlick float trips is by checking the businesses Facebook page and website.
Other upcoming events: MadTree Beer Dinner on July 21, Christmas in July Ugly Sweater Party featuring Tröegs Independent Brewing.
Mudlick Taphouse bestsellers: The Southern Style Pork Chop ($18), the Chipotle BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich ($9) and the house made Stout Chocolate Cake ($5)
Drinks: The six rotating taps feature a smart array of craft beers from both local and national craft breweries and craft cocktails like their seasonal Strawberry Thyme Rye, featuring Bulleitt Rye, fresh Patchwork Gardens strawberries and fresh thyme make for delicious treats after an hour or two on the river.
Weekend brunch: Twisted River French Press Coffee, a great bloody mary bar, mimosas and a build your own omelette, among other things are served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. If you're looking for new brunch options, this one is worth a visit.
More information: 937-895-4066 or mudlicktaphouse.com
There’s dining outdoors.
Then there’s outdoors and dining.
Mudlick Tap House in Germantown is combining outdoors adventures with a great meal.
HOW IT STARTED
Last summer, Mudlick Tap House in Germantown formed a relationship with Mark Ketzel at Twin Creek Kayak & Canoe livery, and their “tap house floats” were born. The floats that happen on the Twin Creek waterway were so popular with customers that it was clear it would become part of Mudlick’s regular slate of summer offerings. The floats started back up a couple of months ago with even more interest from the public, according to owner Jennifer Dean.
“Twin Creek is one of the cleanest waterways in the state and offers some of the best fishing and paddling in the region. I wanted to shed light on how beautiful this little gem is while bringing people together from across the Dayton region. It’s a great way to meet new people who share common interests and do something a little different on a Monday night,” Dean said. “I don’t know of any other restaurants in the Dayton area as lucky as us to have such easy access to a beautiful waterway and a great relationship with a local livery.”
HOW IT WORKS
The average floats are very well attended with between 40 and 60 kayakers paddling. While The Tap House is normally closed for business on Mondays, it opens just for the kayaking group every other Monday. The restaurant does a “Float Feature” that tends to be a tasty, comfortable creation that works with the laid back paddling trip it’s being paired with. Last week’s was a patty melt with caramelized onions, housemade 1000 island on fresh rye bread.
There’s a “Fifty Float” scheduled to take place on June 30 that will run from the Germantown Dam to Kercher Park. The Tap House will feature beers from Fifty West Brewing Company out of Cincinnati that night.
And with the addition of Executive Chef Chris Coherd to the Mudlick Taphouse team last month, there’s even more reason to consider a trip to historic Germantown. Coherd has an impressive restaurant resume. He has spent the last 15 years working in well-known Dayton area scratch kitchens such as Truffles, Madison’s, and Fresco, most recently serving the past three years as Sous Chef under Chef Anne Kearney at Rue Dumaine. The continually evolving menu promises to reflect his love of fresh, locally sourced produce, poultry and meats from vendors like Ed Hill Family Farms out of Xenia, Dorothy Lane Market, Zink Meat Market, Hungry Toad, Bricklecreek, Patchwork Gardens and Foremost Seafood.
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