Sample Ohio’s Best Spirits with Craft Connection Brewery & Distillery Tours

Looking for things to do in Cincinnati? Whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re looking for new ways to explore the city, researching all the local spots and booking individual tours can be time-consuming — and expensive! Luckily, you can skip the legwork by booking a tour through Craft Connection Brewery Tours! These tours explore brewery and distillery locations across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. And it’s a must-experience fun and spirits adventure.

Cincinnati Area Breweries

The city of Cincinnati is known for many things. For example, it’s known for the original Major League Baseball team, Cincinnati chili, the seven hills, and (you guessed it!) beer. Cincinnati has a long history of beer brewing thanks to its German heritage, with the first brewery opening in the historically German Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in 1829. Many more breweries opened in the area in the years that followed. And the popularity of lager spread beyond the German immigrant community to become the number one beer choice for all of Cincinnati. 

Historical Breweries 

Although the buildings are still standing — with many enjoying new life today —  most of the historical breweries in Cincinnati are no longer in operation. However, the legacy of brewing in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky is a key part of the region’s cultural identity. In 1890, Cincinnati was even called “The Beer Capital of the World.” But Prohibition soon forced all the brewers and distributors out of business. Unfortunately, few of the original brands ever returned. 

Highlight: Christian Moerlein Brewing Company

One brand that does maintain a strong presence in Cincinnati is the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. In the late 1800s, it was the largest brewery in the state of Ohio and the fifth largest in the nation. However, due to the temperance movement, newly imposed laws banning alcohol caused German blacksmith Christian Moerlein’s brand to go dormant until 1981. After changing hands and briefly moving out of Cincinnati, the iconic brand was re-established when it came back home to Cincinnati in 2004. Today, the brewery continues the legacy of Moerlein and his love of beer through carefully crafted brews that pay tribute to his origins as a blacksmith. 

Other Craft Connection Breweries

On your Craft Connection Tour, you’ll get to experience a few of Cincinnati’s finest breweries and the unique offerings they bring to the city’s craft beer scene. Here are the participating brewers:

Highlight: Urban Artifact

You’ll be drinking a variety of delicious beers on your tour here. However, the offerings at Urban Artifact are quite unique. They specialize in Midwest Fruit Tart Ales, which they brew and flavor using only real fruit and spices — nothing artificial. With everything from adventurous fruit and herb combinations, to boozy twists on classic flavors from your childhood, you’re basically guaranteed to find an Urban Artifact fruit tart that appeals to you.  

Other brewers in the lineup include:

  • Rhinegeist Brewery
  • Listermann Brewing Company
  • Fifty West Brewing Company
  • Mt. Carmel Brewing Company
  • West Side Brewing
  • Taft’s Brewing Co.
  • Bircus Brewing Company 
  • Nine Giant Brewing
  • Wooden Cask Brewing Company
  • Braxton Brewing Company

Something to note: Braxton Cincinnati (located at 331 E 13th St.) is the meeting place for all public tours. Craft Connection Tours recommends getting to Braxton early and taking advantage of their happy hour pricing on food and drinks. Braxton Brewing Company generously extends this discount to tour members only. So you’ll get exclusive pricing while others around you are paying full price. Plus, everything’s delicious! And it’s definitely smart to avoid going on a day-drinking tour without some food in your belly!

Cincinnati Area Distilleries  

Given its historic connection to making (and drinking) beer, Cincinnati is less known for its distilleries. However, Craft Connection Tours includes the region’s best distilleries. Check out a few spots that are giving beer a run for its money with locally inspired and distilled spirits. 

Highlight: March First Brewing

Named for the day Ohio became a state, March First Brewing has not abandoned the state’s tradition of making beer. Rather, they have expanded upon the craft of alcohol making, brewing hard ciders and seltzers as well as distilling their own vodka, rum, gin, and agave cordial. 

The other distilleries in the lineup are Second Sight Spirits, which specializes in Kentucky bourbon and fine rums, and New Riff Distilling, which produces both bourbon and straight rye whiskey, as well as gin crafted with locally foraged Kentucky botanicals. 

Booking a Tour

The tours include 3-4 breweries or distilleries, last 3-4 hours, and cost $60 per person. There are two possibilities for touring through Craft Connection Brewery Tours: public tours and private tours. 

First, there are regular public tours on Friday nights, Saturday afternoons, and Saturday evenings. Public tours can be booked through the Craft Connection website, but note that there is a minimum requirement of 6 passengers in order for the public tour to run. You will be notified and given an alternative if the tour you’ve booked doesn’t reach the minimum number of attendants. 

Alternatively, private tours require your group to have at least 10 and up to 14 people. These tours can be set up to happen during the week, making this a much more flexible option. Plus, you can work with tour guide Ben to customize your tour, choosing the exact time, meeting spot, and brewery/distillery locations!    

FAQ About Craft Connection Brewery Tours

What does the tour include?

The tour includes transportation to 3-4 local breweries in 3-4 hours, with tours at each brewery and 10-15 samples of local craft beer. It also includes snacks and bottles of water on the bus, souvenir cups, and coolers with ice to keep your growlers cold.

What do I need to bring on the Craft Connection Brewery Tours? 

You will be asked to show your tour guide the confirmation email you receive after booking, as this serves as your ticket. Dress for the weather, especially if it’s hot; most of the breweries do not have air conditioning. 

Can I show up the day of the tour without a reservation?

As long as there is seating available on the bus, you can absolutely join in on the fun! You will need to give the tour guide the exact amount ($60) in cash. 

Do I have to pay for a ticket if I’m not drinking?

If you want to enjoy the experience without consuming any of the booze, you can contact the company via the website to reserve a non-drinker ticket.

Where should I park, and can I leave the car overnight?

There are plenty of parking options available near the tour meeting spot(s). Your driver will also have cab information to share with you. So you can make the safe choice if it ends up being necessary.

If you’re interested in finding the best distilleries in Ohio, Kentucky, or anywhere in the states, you can browse distilleries by state on distillerynearby.com

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