Not too long ago, there were only a few cities with beer great enough to justify a trip solely to experience their breweries. Cities like San Diego, Portland (both of them), Asheville, Denver, and Grand Rapids have been beer destinations for many years. But the explosion of craft beer has elevated many other cities to their same level and Cincinnati is now one of those cities. If you are planning a “beercation” then a Cincinnati Beer Vacation should be on your short list.
Before jumping into why a Cincinnati Beer Vacation should be your next trip, let’s acknowledge how crazy it is that craft beer has become so popular that people take vacations focused on visiting breweries in a specific city or region.
What was once just a niche hobby has truly re-shaped the way our society views beer and is often the center (or at least the catalyst) of conversation. I’ve witnessed this firsthand in my hometown of Cincinnati. My hope is visitors that take a Cincinnati Beer Vacation would experience a connection with our people and culture just as much as the beer.
Reasons To Take A Cincinnati Beer Vacation
Quantity
With over 60 breweries in the Greater Cincinnati area, there is no shortage of breweries to visit. In fact, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to pick which ones to check out.
Looking for a complete guide? Check out The Gnarly Gnome’s comprehensive list. He’s the expert on Cincinnati beer and is my go-to source for local beer. Or reach out to me via my contact page or social media and I’ll help point you in the right direction.
Quality
Having lots of beer options is great; unless the beer doesn’t taste good. Luckily, that isn’t an issue in the Queen City. Cincinnati breweries consistently come home with awards. There are lots of beer competitions but the most well-known is the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) where 10 different Cincinnati breweries have brought home a total of 27 awards (as of the date of this article). What this means to you is our brewers have mastered their craft and you won’t be disappointed.
Variety
Craft beer drinkers love variety. Just like most other beer cities, you will find plenty of beers that fit into current trends (hazy IPAs, sweet stouts, etc). But nearly every brewery you visit will have something for everyone. Having a strong German history, many breweries offer traditional lagers and malt forward beer. You’ll also find sour beers, fruited beers, barrel-aged beers, and so much more.
And it isn’t just the beer that has great variety. The taprooms also are unique both in experience and location. Some are in the city while others have found homes in the suburbs. Many offer food while others focus solely on beer. And some have activities tied to their venue (biking, kayaking, etc).
Notable Breweries
Picking my favorite local breweries would be nearly impossible. There are just too many and each has their own reason why they are great. However, I do want to reference a few that may already been on your “must-see” list.
You can’t talk Cincinnati beer without mentioning Rhinegeist. This brewery is growing at lightning speed and, at the time of this article, they are the 25th largest craft brewery in the nation. Right around the corner from Rhinegeist is the massive Sam Adams brewery that has been making beer for years in Cincinnati. And just a few years back, Sam Adams opened a taproom where they serve the classics along with taproom exclusives. Finally, Brink Brewing is one of the smaller breweries in Cincinnati but they continue to stack up awards and even won Small Brewery Of The Year twice at the Great American Beer Festival.
History
Cincinnati is an old city with lots of stories that connect directly with the growth and prosperity of our nation. Much of our history is rooted in German culture as well. Specifically, you can learn more about the history of beer via the Brewing Heritage Trail as well as experience the largest Oktoberfest in the USA. But it isn’t just beer and German history. Cincinnati is a melting pot of experiences and people so there is always something new to do.
Best Beer City Awards
I’ve already mentioned individual breweries and beers capturing awards but our city as a whole has been recognized. In 2019 & 2020, Cincinnati was ranked as the Best City for Beer Drinkers. That’s high praise when you consider it won out against cities like Asheville, Denver, Portland, etc.
More Than Just Beer
While you may plan your beercation because of the breweries, let’s acknowledge that you’ll probably want to do some other things while visiting. And Cincinnati has a lot to offer for just about anyone.
- Amusement – Kings Island, Zoo, Reds, Bengals, Coney Island, Aquarium
- Educational – Museum Center, Art Museum, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Outdoors – Bike trail, Parks
- Food – Findlay Market, OTR
- History, Architecture, Night life
To learn even more about what to do in Cincinnati, check out Tour de Cincinnati.
Not Convinced Yet?
If you aren’t already packing your bags and booking an Airbnb, then I’ll leave you with a few final thoughts on why it’s a great idea to take a Cincinnati Beer Vacation.
I’ve lived in Cincinnati my whole life so I’ve witnessed this city grow and transform, giving residents and visitors more to do than ever before. But it is the beer that compelled me to visit new areas, met new people, and truly embrace the culture of our city. So I’m confident that a Cincinnati Beer Vacation will do the same for you.