My list last Sunday featured Carillon Brewing Co., Crooked Handle Brewing Co. and Fifth Street Brewpub.
This week’s list is every bit as exciting — and just as last week’s, offers setting, beer and food for you and your holiday crew to pass the time.
As I mentioned last week, if you are traveling for the holidays, download the Ohio On Tap app from the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. It's a great resource to find Ohio breweries statewide. Visit ohiocraftbeer.org/app to learn more.
On to this week’s list:
Hairless Hare Brewery
738 W. National Road, Vandalia
937-387-6476 or www.hairlessharebrewery.com
The beer: This little Vandalia gem is worth a visit for both the beer and the food. As far as beers go, this is a spot that isn't afraid to experiment — an imperial chocolate raspberry vanilla porter, barrel-aged barley wine and a dry Irish stout that were recently on the menu are great examples.
The food: Hairless Hare has a handful of sandwiches and starters, but it's the pizzas you want. There's a deluxe and cheese of course, but the smoked salmon pizza ($15.60 for a small, $18.60 for a large), chicken curry pizza ($14.75 for a small, $17.75 for a large), pesto veggie pizza ($14.25 for a small, $17.25 for a large) and the blue mushroom pizza ($15.60 for a small, $18.60 for a large) offer the most interesting options. Pizza times are 15-20 minutes, but can take up to an hour depending on how busy the taproom is. If you're looking for something quicker, opt for six of the smoked chicken wings ($6.25) and three Bavarian Pretzels ($2.50, add beer cheese for $1.50). Hoppy hour is 4-6 p.m. every Monday through Friday featuring $1 off select beers and appetizers.
Who to take: This is the perfect spot to visit before or after an airport run. Located close to the Dayton International Airport, this little microbrewery is a great way to pass the time before or after a flight.
Lock 27 Brewing
329 E. First St., Dayton
937-433-2739 or http://lock27brewing.com
The beer: Lock 27's brewery and second location in downtown Dayton adjacent to the Dayton Dragon's Fifth Third Field is much larger and more impressive in scope than the Centerville location at 12,000 square feet, but the house beers will seem very familiar. The restaurants signature Mouth Breather IPA is on tap alongside the Spillway American Pale Ale, Oat Rodeo Oatmeal Stout, Charlosta American Brown Ale and Lock Tender Golden Ale.
The food: There's a fair-sized menu of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees to vie for your attention, but I just can't get past the house smoked wings ($11) and the Resolution salad ($16). It also has a breakfast sandwich ($10) with a fried egg, hash browns, bacon and sharp cheddar that will help cure about any hangover.
Who to take: This cool downtown industrial space in the Delco Lofts is imbued with hip, crisp energy. Do not take any relatives who are hard of hearing, as the hard surfaces are impossibly loud. Do take your young cousins or hipster friends who are not easily impressed … this should do the trick.
Lucky Star Brewery
219 E. Second St., Miamisburg
937-866-2739 or www.luckystarbrewery.com
The beer: This Brewery and Cantina features 15 taps with various beers as well as a margarita on tap called Devil's Juice and a Mucho Michelada spicy bloody Mary made with beer. The decor is as kicky and fun as the beer styles and names. This is the place you go for a siesta during the holiday season to chillax with a menu full of beers to help you out.
The food: It's your basic cantina offerings — tacos, quesadillas, burritos and dips. The weekly specials are where it's at. Featuring $3 pints on Mondays, $1 tacos on Tuesdays, 69 cent wings on Thursdays, three green chile cheeseburger sliders for $5.50 on Friday and Saturdays and $3.75 breakfast burritos from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Who to take: Friends and family who understand and practice the fine art of relaxing. This is a fun spot that doesn't take itself too seriously and lends itself to letting down your hair and having a good time.
Warped Wing Brewing Co.
26 Wyandot St., Dayton
937-222-7003 or www.warpedwing.com
The beer: The largest craft brewery in Dayton embraces Dayton's history with it's beers including Ermal's Belgian Sytle Cream Ale named after inventor Ermal Fraze who created the pop top can. Other familiar favorites include Trotwood Lager, Gamma Bomb IPA, Flyer Red, Flyin' Rye IPA and 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout. It's terrific beer in a terrific setting.
The food: Spent Grain Grill inside of Warped Wing Brewing Co. has salads, sandwiches, pizzas and tacos that are priced right and that will help soak up an afternoon of beer drinking. The basket of tots ($4) is a great way to start and with quite a few vegetarian options including shiitake mushroom tacos ($6.95) and a loose grain sandwich ($6.95) made with quinoa and black beans, American cheese, mustard and pickle. The beer battered cheese curds ($8.50) and pulled pork sandwich ($8.95) are also great bets. It's a solid menu that is a perfect way to accompany an afternoon of day drinking. For the complete menu visit: http://spentgraingrill.com/menu.html.
Who to take: The brewery and tasting room are housed in a large 1938 building in downtown Dayton. The brewhouse is impressive and massive. This is a brewery with plenty of personality and lots of room. It's a great setting for just about anyone, but especially great if you are looking to impress out-of-towners who love beer and are always looking for a fresh, new find.
Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.
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