Cincinnati Brewery and Bar Recommendations

Cincinnati has a long brewing heritage and you might like to sample some of the breweries in town while you’re here. Here is a list curated by CAS president Bryan Simpson. The list takes distance into consideration, but all the best breweries will be represented.

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Close to ALCON:

Further out

Way Far Out But Worth The Drive

Probably the best combination of good beers and close proximity to ALCON, this local brewery has a wide variety of beers, and a great rooftop bar that overlooks Covington.
If you go: Tropic Flare New England IPA is great as are the Dark Charge barrel aged stouts.

West Sixth originated out of Lexington Kentucky and their Covington Haus offers some excellent beers in a nice indoor setting. If you go: The Transylvania Tripel Belgian Tripel and the Strawberry Kolsch are pretty good.

Not a local brewery but Yard House does have over 60 taps many featuring local beers. Located in The Banks district, it’s walkable over the Roebling Bridge in about 15 minutes.

Northern Row focuses on a lot of traditional German styles and lagers, following Cincinnati’s brewing tradition. A great venue as well! If you go: Try their flagship lagers and the Conspirator Dopplebock if its on tap.

One of Cincinnati’s most popular brands, but might be a visit more for the venue than the beer. It’s a great space in the brewing district near Northern Row. If you go: Their flagship IPA Truth is pretty good as is the variant Juicy Truth.

Sam Adams founder Jim Koch is from Cincinnati and they brew much of their beer here. The taproom is great, and right near Findlay Market. If you go: the taps rotate frequently but Summer Ale is always good.

Another Brewery District stop, Mellotone is in an old church, the former Taft Alehouse, and the food is fantastic. If you go: Golden Hour IPA and Friend of Mine ESB are solid choices.

Recommending this primarily because of proximity, and for the view, Lager House, (formerly Moerlein Lager House) offers traditional German styles in a great location.

This space-themed brewery is one of the hidden gems of the brewery world in Cinci. It’s in Bellevue which is just beyond the route of the Southbank Shuttle. If you go: the golden coffee stout Mayan Sacrifice is a must have.

Over on Cincinnati’s East End, this brewery is one of the best in the city. If you go: Return of the Mac Coffee Blonde Ale, Suh Brah? New England IPA are solid choices. Also known for their barrell aged stouts.

One of the most popular breweries in the city located in Cinci’s Oakley neighborhood. Large taplist and other offerings. If you go: Psychopathy IPA and any of their “High” series beers. Happy Amber is also a solid choice.

Grand National Champion in 2024 and 2026 in the US Open Beer Championship and Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival 2023 and 2025. If you go: Jelly Brain Milkshake IPA and Dark Aura Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout are must have. Also Try Gettin Twisted.

Another one thats a little farther out but they have a large tap list and a big open patio. If yougo: Voss Germans kolsch is great as is Kato coffee blonde ale. The “Frosted” series milkshake IPAs are great if they are on tap.