Bubbling Beer Scene Gives Travelers More Reasons to Say "Cheers!" in Columbus

    COLUMBUS, OH, August 02, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Columbus is fast emerging as a top city for craft breweries and microbrew startups. It's a return to the city's early history as a brewing mecca when it was settled by German brew masters in the 1830s. Today, an onslaught of artisan breweries has spawned a resurgence of the craft and led to the birth of the Columbus Microbrew Festival, which takes place every September in the North Market. While some of the city's breweries have been around for years, new ones are just launching. But each brew master shares a passion for quality and has an intriguing personal story about what launched their love affair with hops, barley and wheat. Columbus' craft beer scene is so hopping right now that a new Columbus-based tour company will begin showcasing local breweries in September. Just some of the beer experiences awaiting visitors to Ohio's capitol city include:

North High Brewing, where not only is all of the beer brewed on site, but travelers can even create their own, personalized blends. North High's expert brewers walk brewers-in-training through the process, helping ensure delicious results. Co-founders Gavin Meyers and Tim Ward cater to both novice and experienced home brewers and beer aficionados. The beginner can receive training from onsite brew master, Charlie Davis, while seasoned brewers can create beers on their own. Guest walk away with a keg of beer they created -- the perfect memento of their Columbus beer experience. North High also offers on-site beer, a few pub snacks, home brewing supplies and special event space for rent. NorthHighBrewing.com

Rockmill Brewery has a secret to its brew. Brew master Matthew Barbee uses water from a private well located on the gorgeous 100-year-old horse farm the brewery calls home. When Barbee discovered that the water running through his land has the exact minerals content of that of Walonia Belgium, he knew the property was perfect for brewing Belgian farmhouse-style ales. Thus, he's developed a stunning Saison, Whitbier, Dubbel and Trippel. The resulting beer is gaining rave reviews nationally. Brewery tours and tasting room hours are offered weekends (Fri.-Sun.), noon-8 p.m. or by appointment. RockmillBrewery.com

Columbus Brewing Company is a well-known local microbrewery and full-service restaurant, offering up a range of rotating craft beers, from lagers and India Pale Ales to Scottish blends. If a visitor is unsure which beer to try, that's no problem. Columbus Brewing Company Tasting Flight gives a sample of all of its brews. The microbrewery also offers half gallon growlers to take home. ColumbusBrewingCo.com

Elevator Brewing Company has won multiple awards for its beers, crafting nine distinct brews year round, plus a special seasonal beer each month. Opened daily, Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus serves up a full restaurant menu with outstanding steaks and all of the Elevator brews in a historic building. A large off-site brewing factory offers a tap room and tours that highlight local brewing history, the brewing process and how each Elevator beer is uniquely crafted. No tour is without a complimentary sample at the end. Elevator Tap Room is open Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. or by appointment. ElevatorBrewing.com

Barley's Brewing Company, an early pioneer of the return of Columbus brewing, has been tapping its own brew for more than 20 years, when in 1992, the brew master declared, "We're here to serve the perfect pint." Barley's serves its perfectly hand-crafted, award-winning ale at two locations. Its specialty is crafting unique ales, a process mastered by using ingredients from around the globe, like its Blood Thirst Wheat which takes its tang from the zest of Sicilian blood oranges. Along with their honored brew, Barley's serves up a deliciously complementary menu, making it a one-stop destination for anyone looking for great pub food and impressive local beer. BarleysBrewing.com

Seventh Son Brewing Company offers tours, serving five of its own brews. A handful of other Ohio craft beers are also on tap inside this rustic urban space, and seasonally on dual outdoor patios. Rotating food trucks offer always-interesting food service. Located in Columbus' Italian Village, Seventh Son also pours a small selection of fine wines and a full bar. Live music adds to the experience, with Seventh Son being open Thursday 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Friday 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-midnight. SeventhSonBrewing.com

Four String Brewing Company takes its name from the four "strings" of brewing: water, malt, hops and yeast. It was started by rocker Dan Cochran who started brewing in 1994. While he toured the U.S. playing bass guitar in a number of rock bands, Cochran also visited the best pubs and microbreweries from New York to Seattle. Those brew masters willingly shared their expertise, helping Cochran craft his own exceptional beers, which include Backstage Belgian Blond, Brass Knuckle American Pale Ale, Big Star White IPA and Suncaster Summer Wheat Ale. With a wide-open view of its brewing operation, Four String's Tap Room opens in early fall with public hours Thurs-Saturday. FourStringBrewing.com

Zauber Brewing Company began with founder Geoffrey Towne receiving his brew master's diploma from University of California at Davis Master Brewers program. Towne cut his teeth at other Midwest and East Coast breweries before opening his own company. Zauber, German for "magic," crafts German- and Belgian-style beers, which are available at more than a dozen favorite local taverns, restaurants and beer shops, and in growlers sold at the brewery Thurs.-Sat., 4-8 p.m. zbeers.com

Hoof Hearted Brewing Company offers three distinctly different brews, each embodying the best of the countries they originated from. Hoof Hearted brings the do-it-yourself nature of micro brewing to a new level, as many of its brewing machines were hand crafted. This DIY attitude has helped craft some great beers. It's flagship Musk of the Minotaur IPA joins Ryborg Rye ale and Permafrost Wheat Porter on tap at local bars. HoofHeartedBrewing.com

While not a brewery, The Ohio Tap Room has 20 taps pouring only Ohio ales, including at least four from local Columbus breweries. Samples are just 50 cents and growlers are filled on site for take-away beer sales. Open seven days a week, a nice selection of Ohio-made snacks, such as font size? pretzels, soda, cider, jerky and even pie are available at The Ohio Tap Room. TheOhioTapRoom.com

Columbus Brew Adventures launches its local brew-focused tours in September. Several tours will be offered, including neighborhood itineraries that feature Grandview and Downtown microbreweries, a distillery and spirits focused tour and an in-depth "Meet The Brewers" tour. Knowledgeable guides will take visitors to 4-5 locations, highlighting local lore and history and the best local brews. Tours are three hours long and cost $60 per person. ColumbusBrewAdventures.com

Columbus is a city unlike any other. Vibrant and alive, Ohio's capital is known for its open attitude, smart style and entrepreneurial spirit. Columbus' uncommon blend of neighborhoods, arts and culinary experiences, events, attractions and accommodations are made unforgettable by its diversity of outgoing locals who warmly welcome visitors. Free travel guides, maps, online booking and detailed information are available at www.ExperienceColumbus.com or 866.397.2657 (866.EXP.COLS). Visitor information is also available on Facebook: facebook.com/ExperienceColumbus and facebook.com/ColumbusFoodScene, Twitter: @ExpCols and Pinterest.

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