BrewRiver

Brew Me A River

 

There lies a place, a seemingly humble place, on the banks of the Ohio River which serves as a moat protecting the beer treasure that lies within.  In this place, this magical place where culinary artistry meets brewing brilliance, you’ll find just what you’ve been looking for your whole life. This place is BrewRiver GastroPub.

BrewRiver, as deemed by this reviewer, is the only true GastroPub in Cincinnati.  Surrounded by bike paths that fend off would be customers' autos, the Innkeepers of this fine establishment, Jobi/Michael/Christian are, as these stories often reveal, the magic behind the place formerly known as the Dew Drop Inn.    

In interest of full disclosure, I am by any definition (including my kids) obsessed with BrewRiver.  If this place did not serve food, I would be just as attracted because of the great atmosphere, beer collection and the incredible bar.  With that said, if there was no bar or beer, I still would be anchored to this place because of Chef Michael’s ability to weave culinary poetry.  But back to the bar itself… If you are an admirer of fine bars, this bar, both the top as well as the back of the bar is simply a work of art wrapped in hand carved wood and copper. I have a special relationship with copper bars, there….I said it.  Now everyone knows. 

 

The raison d'etre of this blog is to create an online community (a gathering place of sorts) of local Cincinnati beer enthusiasts.  Why then would I review BrewRiver here? Because they are moral enthusiasts and emboldened champions of not only great craft beer but also of great local Cincinnati beer.  At any time, they have 6-10 local Cincinnati beers on tap.  They sponsor countless local Cincinnati beer events at their digs.  I am also choosing to cover BrewRiver at this time because it’s their anniversary; they are one year old this week!  Go here and queue up the Happy Anniversary Song from Fred Flintstone and his boys. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knp9-GY6fHE

Last night the Listermann’s Boys were there in force with their Cask Conditioned American Pale Ale dry hopped with Amarillo Hops, and the Intergalactic IPA single hopped with Galaxy Hops.  What a beer journey last night!  I have to admit (I know that this will cause a few raised eyebrows) that I like my cask conditioned on the colder side which is how they served it up yesterday.  This beer was crazy good.  Tomorrow is a pig roast which I can only imagine what Chef Michael will be able to do with that! See below for Kevin from Listermann’s on the tapping.

 

On to the goods on the grub.  There is a definite New Orleans flare to Chef Michael’s pub fare.  I can honestly say that I have NEVER had anything that I wasn’t simply out of my mind about.  With that said, I do have some favorites. Also, all the food is locally sourced whenever possible.   First, the Amish Chicken is at the top of the list. The honey sprinkled on the perfectly completed chicken is like no other.  This comes adorned with a slaw that will baffle your taste buds and tickle your belly!  Recently Chef Michael’s hamburger was anointed best in the city. I also am a huge fan of the mussels as well as the fried oyster po-boy!  The mac-n-cheese is downright, in an unadulerated way, truffleicious!  On the appetizer side of the house, the lobster hush puppies are crazy good and the chicken liver pate is insane!  If you have an opportunity to come in for Sunday Brunch, the bacon infused doughnuts are crazy good.  His biscuits are a stand-alone meal all on their own.  If you are there for Sunday brunch (and also Tuesday nights) you can have your hearing senses hugged by Todd Hepburn as he brings a little Tom Waits into your life. For the record, everybody needs a little Tom Waits in their life. 
 

Every once in a while, you will see the proud papa of the joint, Art, with his Moses stick in tow bellied up to the bar.  Absolutely hands down the finest gentleman you will ever meet.  One of the other great things about this place is the bar staff.  The Beer-keeps here really know their beer; James, Aaron and Joe.  Their lead server Colin also works part time with Scott at Blank Slate.  If you’re lucky you might have Alec or Colin as your server.  With all the great local Cincinnati beer coming on board it is awesome to watch these guys take the time to share some of their beer wisdom and help educate people new to the beer. 

See below a paparazzi- like photo of the local Cincinnati brewers Vulcan mind meld in progress.  Kevin and the Listermann Boys talking beer and what not with Scott from Blank Slate.  I really wanted to jump in on the conversation, but that would be “brewer-stalking” wouldn’t it?

 

 

On to the beer.  (that could be a bumper sticker).  See below for the now famous beer list which they are constantly editing (a sign of a great beer list is one that changes all the time).  In addition to the great local Cincinnati beers; they leverage their relationships with distributors to find the next up and coming brew or a rare and “out of reach for most places” kegs.  This is something that Peanut used to do when he was at the Dilly Deli but they just didn’t serve the food to back it up.  BTW…three cheers to Peanut and his new adventure at the Party Source! Another great aspect to the beer list is the variety of types of beers. On any given day at BrewRiver, you’ll find almost every type of beer brewed. 

BrewRiver Gastro Pub is a place where good people quench their thirst for great beer while filling their bellies with out of this world chow!