Growls, howlers and vodka! 3 ways to add Dayton to your OSU party
By Amelia Robinson Staff Writer
This Monday might as well be Saturday because Ohio State fans are going to party.
The Bucks will battle Oregon’s Ducks in the first college football championship game under the NCAA’s new playoff system.
It airs at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 12 on ESPN.
If you are going to party like it is the weekend, you’ll need a few supplies.
The Dayton area has just those elements to help you elevate that bash to more than just another game.
Here are three ideas to put a little Dayton in your championship game party.
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1. Get crafty
Instead of loading the fridge with Miller Light, Bud Light or, gasp, Natty Light, swing by your favorite breweries or taverns for a growl or two of something slightly more interesting. Nothing wrong with asking guests to do the same.
Empty refillable glass growlers cost $5 or $6 at most establishments and can be filled for $10 to $25.
Hairless Hair Brewery, 738 W. National Road, Vandalia; Toxic Brew Company, 431 E. Fifth St., Dayton; Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St., Dayton; Yellow Springs Brewery, 305 Walnut St., Yellow Springs and Carillon Brewing Company, 1000 Carillon Park Blvd. are among the local breweries that sell their own beer in 32-ounce howlers and 64-ounce growlers. Most will fill growlers purchased from other breweries.
Lucky’s Taproom, Trolley Stop, Blind Bob’s and Thai Nine in the Dayton’s Oregon District (or temporarily renamed as the Buckeye District) as well as nearby South Park Tavern and Peach’s Grill in Yellow Spring sell craft beers from local and nationally known breweries.
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2. Shake it up
Nothing says buckeye as clearly as vodka with the red buckeye leaf on its bottle.
Buckeye Vodka first established itself as a local pride when it came on the scene in 2011. The Dayton-bottled and distilled vodka is smooth and economical.
Numerous spirit stores and bars and restaurants in Ohio sell the vodka. It is also available in parts of Kentucky.
A half gallon of Buckeye is $34.35 at Arrow Wine, 2950 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood and 615 Lyons Road, Washington Twp., Montgomery County.
Try this recipe for a Buck Nut Mocha Martini below created by Archers Tavern Bar crew (find other recipes at buckeyevodka.com):
BUCK NUT MOCHA MARTINI
What you’ll need: 1 ounce Buckeye Vodka, ¾ ounces Bailey’s, and ¾ ounces of Mocha Kahlua.
What you do: Put the Mocha Kahlua in the bottom of a martini glass. Combine Vodka and Baileys in shaker and chill. Layer mix over Mocha. Serve with stir straw.
Jim Finke, co-owner and CEO of Buckeye Vodka, along with his brother-in-law Tom Rambasek. Staff photo
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3. Mmmm… chocolate
Chocolate and peanut butter go together as smoothly as Ohio State’s football team and championship rings.
Winans Chocolate has all the buckeyes you will ever need.
In fact, they been flying out the door.
“If Buckeye sales are any indication, we are going to win the national championship,” Winans Chocolate co-owner Laurie Winans-Reiser said.
Winans sells buckeye candies for $16.95 or $8.95 for a half pound at its Piqua (121 W. High St. and 8090D Looney Road) and Troy (10 W. Main St. and 1201A Experiment Farm Road) stores. Prices and availability may vary at franchise stores. Click here to find locations.
The Oakwood Dorothy Lane Market location, 2710 Far Hills Ave., sells buckeye candies for about $1 each.
Buckeyes have been big sellers at Winans Chocolates and Coffees leading up to the Buckeyes’ Championship run.
Contact this blogger at arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com or Twitter.com/DDNSmartMouth
