COLUMBUS, OHIO’S NEW DISTILLERY TRAIL

BY MEGAN HILL

Ohio’s lively capital city, Columbus, has long been a destination for spirits aficionados. The region’s artisanal distillers have netted international accolades and scores of awards for their products, lending to the city’s outstanding bar and cocktail scene.

Now, visitors and locals alike can tap into the city’s craft spirits scene via the new Columbus Distillery Trail. Each participating distillery offers tours and tastings, and some even have full bar service, so you can sample their wares in original and classic cocktails.

Participating is easy: Just sign up via email and receive your digital passport, no app download necessary. When you visit a participating location, check in on your phone, and start qualifying for prizes. After four stops, you’ll earn a Simple Times Mixer; after hitting them all, you’ll win a Columbus Distillery Trail T-shirt. Participants earn rewards by making any purchase; rewards are not limited to prescribed spending.

The seven participating distilleries include:

Middle West Spirits

One of the country’s fastest growing distillers, Middle West Spirits was named U.S. Distillery of the Year in the Berlin International Spirits Competition and nearly every one of its 15 spirits, including gin, whiskies, bourbons, vodkas and bourbon cream, have brought home double gold, gold and silver awards in key international spirits competitions.

Echo Spirits Distilling Co.

Upstart Echo Spirits Distilling Co. launched in 2020 against all odds in Grandview, crafting high-end spirits made to be accessible. The distillery aims to echo a time when we got to know the folks making the things we buy, and a laid-back bar offers great cocktails and food deliveries from nearby restaurants.

Endeavor Brewing and Spirits

Endeavor Brewing and Spirits launched as a brewery in 2017 in Grandview and began releasing the results of its distilling operations in 2019. Endeavor’s liquor lineup includes craft brews, vodka, rum, dry gin, and a botanical gin. They also host rotating food trucks.

Watershed Distillery

Watershed Distillery started up in Grandview in 2010, then opened the state’s first restaurant connected to a distillery, Watershed Kitchen & Bar, in 2017. Its gin and other spirits garner solid reviews, and include seasonal nocino made from spiced local black walnuts and apple brandy.

ZACH WILKE

451 Spirits

Quirky 451 Spirits is tucked into an alley next to a neighborhood dive bar in Columbus’ hip residential neighborhood of Clintonville. Something of a mad scientists’ den for spirits, 451’s interesting riffs on rum, whiskey, mezcal and absinthe start with unusual mash bills and end with remarkable results, like Pizza Pie’Chuga, distiller Chad Kessler’s play on Pechuga mezcal infused with local favorite pizza Mikey’s Late Night Slice. While it sounds like a wholly crazy notion, it makes magic in a Bloody Mary.

Noble Cut Distillery

Its bread and butter is distilling vodka and whiskey, but Noble Cut Distillery in Gahanna gets high marks for twisted takes on limoncello, the Italian citrus-and vodka-based aperitif or digestif. Distiller and co-owner Tony Guilfoy also makes his ‘cello in tart and tasty orange and grapefruit versions.

High Bank Distillery

High Bank Distillery in Grandview Heights has a buzzy fullservice bar and restaurant which feature elevated, casual food offerings with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and a balance of both indulgent and healthy options. Its cocktail menu features both classic cocktails and in-house creations. High Bank’s Whiskey War Barrel Proof Blend recently received the Best of Class in American Blended Whiskey Award at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Nestled along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Saugatuck/Douglas is a place full of stunning natural beauty and captivating experiences. Abundant in outdoor adventures, distinguished by a thriving art scene, and featuring a culinary landscape that’s become world-renowned—this is the one and only Art Coast of Michigan.

Take It Outside

Sugar sand beaches and sparkling water that stretches to the horizon will have you wanting to soak in the sun and splash in the waves. Dig your toes into one of six pristine beaches, like the award-winning Oval Beach. Wander the sandy forest paths of Saugatuck Dunes State Park for a hike overlooking the coastal dunes. Or spend the day trekking through the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, where you can see the remnants of the historic Fishtown pier, delicate wetlands and marshes, and scenic views of the Oxbow Lagoon, the Kalamazoo River channel, and Lake Michigan shoreline.

Liquid Assets

From the winding Kalamazoo River to the Saugatuck harbor and Lake Michigan, there are so many opportunities to enjoy the water in the Saugatuck/Douglas area. Whether you glide leisurely along the waterways from atop a double-decker paddleboat, charter a sailing or fishing excursion, or explore them on your own in a rented retro runabout or donut boat, you’ll find any encounter with the unsalted waves here an enthralling experience.

Raise A Glass And A Fork

The very nature of what makes this area so appealing to visitors is also what makes it the perfect location for crafting distinctive beverages and inspired culinary fare. The unique terrain and climate yield optimal growing conditions for regional crops essential to the extraordinary flavor profiles of the wines, craft brews, and ciders produced here and for the seasonal specialties found on every menu. Picturesque farms, orchards, and vineyards invite guests to experience their food and drink right at the source, elevating farm-to-table fare with the bounty of what’s locally harvested. Rich in agricultural diversity and abundance, Saugatuck/Douglas is home to a number of craft breweries, cideries, and wineries that make this area a mustvisit destination for adult beverage connoisseurs and foodies.

Artful Endeavors

There’s a reason why this area is known as the Art Coast of Michigan. Dozens of working painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and other artists call this area home, cultivating a creative culture and thriving art scene rich in performing and visual arts. Stroll through the many galleries and artists’ studios to find inspired one-of-a-kind works in every medium. Enjoy live theatre, films, art exhibits, and concerts typically found in big-city cultural experiences.

Unwind Your Way

Treat yourself to a little retail therapy with an eclectic blend of upscale boutiques and specialty shops that line the walkable streets of downtown Saugatuck and Douglas. Here, you’ll discover treasures ranging from art, jewelry, décor, and fashion accompanied by some friendly, small-town service. Diverse lodging options include historic inns, charming B&Bs, retro motels, or vacation rentals that let you live like a local. For a getaway that’s rich in both recreation and relaxation, explore the Art Coast of Michigan and discover your ultimate escape.