United States (in fact, outside of Germany at all). It’s still one of only four in the country. 859-4917200, hofbrauhausnewport.com
BLANK SLATE BREWING COMPANY Where: Columbia Township Most Popular Brew: Fork in the Road The Draw: Head brewer and founder Scott LaFollette likes to experiment outside the range of “standard German styles,” so expect some funky brew choices (think brown ale with shiitake mushroom or imperial chocolate IBA). He’s also a Certified Cicerone, or certified beer connoisseur, and one of only 41 in Ohio. Nearby, there are bike paths and trails aplenty, as well as the Airport Bike Rental shop, so you can work up a sweat before swinging by for a freshly chilled brew. Fun Fact: Its Fork in the Road brew was the 2013 champion of the Ohio Beer Fantasy Leagues. 513-9794540, blankslatebeer.com
FIFTYWEST BREWING COMPANY Where: Mariemont Most Popular Brew: Punch You in the EyePA The Draw: Housed in a renovated 1827 farmhouse, FiftyWest is the perfect traveler’s jaunt—each brew is named with some sort of witty take on road trip lingo—though it’s popular among the locals, too. The brewery’s extensive menu, which varies seasonally but can include everything from smoked Gouda grits to Moroccan meatballs, is not your typical bar fare, either. Fun Fact: All beer is distributed in a 1972 orange Volkswagen van. 513834-8789, fiftywestbrew.com For a full list of local breweries, visit CincinnatiUSA.com/ bars-and-nightlife/breweries
Over-the-Rhine
Hit the Town: Over-theRhine The Over-the-Rhine district—or “OTR,” as it’s often locally dubbed—is located on the north edge of downtown Cincinnati and boasts some of the hottest restaurants and shops in the region. The neighborhood, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is easily traversed on foot or, if you’re looking to cover a bit more ground, you can nab a rental bike from one of several Red Bike hubs downtown.
OTR’S ECLECTIC MIX OF
eateries, bars and locally owned shops means you’ll have plenty to do, whether you visit during the day or spend a night on the town. Washington Park hosts frequent concerts and events (and has a castle-inspired playground for the kids and a designated dog park for the pups) and sits directly in front of 137-year-old Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark and treasured local venue. Foodies, you’ll definitely want to stop by Findlay Market, a year-round market and hub of all things Cincinnati. Be sure to sample the goods at newcomers
➾ In The News OTR restaurants Bakersfield, Senate, Taste of Belgium and Pho Lang Thang featured in episodes of TLC’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (2014).
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