Darkness Brewing

When: October 5, 2020

Where: 224 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue, KY 41073

Born out of two home brewer’s love for dark beers, I’d like to formally welcome you to Darkness Brewery. Darkness quite literally gets it name from their heavy focus on producing delicious dark beers. What could be more fitting? Since 2016, this neighborhood brewery has become an oasis for locals to hang out, have a beer, and walk back home before it gets to late. The brewery is located in a former car garage, which gives the taproom a laid back, industrial feel. The walls are covered in colorful, imaginative mural art that are completely out of this world. Additionally, all of the visible wood and metal is reclaimed from places around Northern Kentucky.

Shannon: Because Darkness is located in a former car garage, the taproom can feel a bit small. Their outdoor seating area is actually larger than their indoor space. I think it’s a lot easier to get a growler to go instead of scoping out a seat inside. The staff behind the bar are fantastic about getting you a drink you’re going to love. The first time I ever visited, they recommended I try one of their most popular seasonal beers. It was fall, so naturally that means pumpkin. Blumpkin is a 7.1% ABV black pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Truly one of the best pumpkin beers I’ve ever had.

Other Cool Stuff:

  • Brunch on Sundays!
  • Darkness specializes in dark beers!
  • Open 7 days a week
  • Cool tshirts and hoodies available
  • You can’t get their beer canned but they do offer growlers to go!
  • Outdoor patio space
  • Live events

What Shannon Drank:

Shannon: Man on the Moo (Milk Stout) 5.3% ABV – 4.5 out of 5

Shannon: Blumpkin (Black pumpkin ale) 7.1% ABV – 5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Vermont Pub and Brewery

When Chris Went: January 16th, 2021

Where: 144 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Vermont Pub and Brewery is Vermont’s oldest microbrewery, opened by Greg Noonan and Bill Mares in 1988, making it older than any brewery in Connecticut. When it opened, Vermont Pub and Brewery was the first Vermont brewery in the state in ninety-four years. All the state’s breweries owe Greg Noonan a debt because it was his advocacy that got Vermont to change their liquor laws to allow for on-site sale of manufactured beer which made microbreweries and brewpub feasible. Since they opened in 1988, Vermont Pub and Brewery has won a number of awards for their different beers, including their Burly Irish Ale, Forbidden Fruit Framboise, and their Handsome Mick’s Smoked Stout. The pub is located in downtown Burlington, not far from the water and close to tons of great breweries and restaurants. The brewpub gives off a distinctly Irish pub feel in aesthetic, beer, and food.

Chris: I visited Vermont Pub and Brewery while it was snowing which led to a very picturesque scene. With its location in downtown Burlington we decided to make a day of it and see all the things the city had to offer, so that meant brunch, beer, and Ben & Jerry’s. Since we had already decided to have all the unhealthy food we decided to order some of the best poutine I have ever had. (I would be open to starting a craft poutine blog) We also wanted to try as many beers as we could so we got a flight. On a quick side note, I feel as though Vermont Pub & Brewery was the safest restaurant or brewery I have ever been to in terms of covid precautions. In terms of beer, I was a little disappointed that they did not have any darks for me to try, but I was able to sample four different beers. After reading the rave reviews of their beer I was not impressed, not giving any of the beers over a 3 out of 5, and it seems most people on untapped seemed to give similar ratings. I tried two sours, Forbidden Fruit and Spuyten Duyvil and did not think either was very good. Maybe we just came on an off day and got the B lineup instead of the A lineup. In summary, Vermont Pub and Brewery is a place with great history, great food, and okay beer.

Other Cool Things:

  • Merch for sale
  • Founder has written THREE books on brewing (two on lagers and one of scotch ale)
  • Take out available
  • Maybe you will see Bernie Sanders there

What Chris Drank:

Chris: Flash Mob (Pale Ale) 4.9% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Spuyten Duyvil (Sour) 5.6% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Regal (Lager) 4% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Forbidden Fruit (Raspberry Sour) 6% – 3 out of 5

Chris: Vermont Maple (Ale) 7.2% – 2.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 3.5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Moerlein Lager House

When Shannon Went: October 17, 2020

Where: 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The biggest name in Cincinnati’s brewing history was Christian Moerlein, a Bavarian immigrant who built one of the largest breweries in the United States. Moerlein opened his brewery in 1853 and after a few years, his business was producing nearly 500,000 barrels of beer a year. When prohibition laws were initiated, the brewing facility became unprofitable and closed down in 1919. In 2004, a Cincinnati native bought the rights to Christian Moerlein and quickly began producing the same historic great tasting beer from back in the day. Today, the Moerlein Lager House is a three story building featuring a green roof, balconies and terraces with views of the Central Riverfront Park, Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and Great American Ball Park.

Shannon: I have a soft spot for breweries with deep historical roots. The Moerlein Lager House does a phenomenal job of honoring the original Christian Moerlein Brewing Company by displaying historic sketches and ads of the former brewing giant on their walls. A bigger honor reflecting their history is found in the beer! With nearly 100 beers on tap, some brewed in-house, others on guest tap or canned, Moerlein Lager House knows what they’re doing, especially with a traditional German lager. Overwhelmed by the options, the best way to tackle the tap list was with a flight. I enjoyed all four beers and if I wasn’t so full from my incredibly delicious fish sandwich, I probably would have ordered another pint. I have no doubt that I’ll never run out of options!

Other Cool Things:

  • Christian Moerlein, the founder, was a Bavarian immigrant and blacksmith
  • The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company was born in 1853 but closed after prohibition laws shut them down
  • Brewing the same quality and historic beers from the 1850s!
  • Over 100 beers available!
  • Open 7 days a week
  • Merch store for your Moerlein needs
  • Located right next to the Great American Ball Park where the Cincinnati Reds play
  • Full service kitchen serving up appetizes, main dishes, and desert – menu changes seasonally!
  • There is a dedication marker on the floor of the lobby for Pete Rose commemorating his record-breaking 4,192nd hit in 1985. 

What Shannon Drank: Flight Edition!

Orange Daydream (Cream Ale) 5.5% ABV – 4.5 out of 5

Baltic Porter (Porter) 6% ABV – 4 out of 5

Passionfruit Helles (Lager – Helles) 5.3% ABV – 4 out of 5

Third Wave (IPA) 6.2% ABV – 4 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?