On Saturday, 8 MAR 2014, 40 intrepid souls set off on the adventure of a lifetime: 87 miles traveled, 12 hours in duration, 8 Dayton area breweries, and one bad ass bus driver named Ray. The tour was set to leave from
Boston's Bistro at 10:00am.
However, as one might imagine, a 12 hour bus tour doesn't follow a rigorous schedule. We had plenty of time for donuts and coffee, detailed instructions (don't spill beer on the bus), and plotting our strategy for the days events before we actually set off closer to 11:00.
 |
Boston's Bistro: The start of it all |
 |
| Boarding the Beer Bus. |
 |
| All bright eyed and bushy tailed. |
 |
| The beer on the bus went pour, pour, pour |
To keep us occupied during the nearly 2 hours spent driving from location to location, a unique draft system was set up in the middle of the bus and Cat was voted Beer Wench for our tour. Two taps provided Fat Tire - the only beer that I didn't enjoy the whole day - and a very nice Rye IPA from Stone Quarry, a local homebrewer.
 |
| Star City is located in the historic Peerless Mill in Miamisburgh, OH. |
 |
| The gang's all here |
 |
| Sampler tray |
A certified beer judge - at least that's what his name tag proclaimed - voted
Star City Brewing Company the best complete collection of beers. My personal favorite here was the Milk Stout with the Winter Warmer a close second. Alas, you won't be able to try that one as the keg blew a few days later and next year they plan to revise the recipe.
 |
| The first of three Dayton area brewpubs located in strip malls |
 |
| A comfortable atmosphere for the brewery and gastropub |
 |
| Samplers laid out on the large high top table by the front window. |
 |
| It wasn't clear to me if this is the extent of their brewery |
Lock 27 Brewing Company doubles as a gastropub and we were ready for some food when we arrived. Everything we ordered was very good and served surprisingly fast given that 40 hungry souls arrived all at the same time. I really enjoyed the large high top table that looked out the front window. It was the perfect spot for folks on the Beer Bus Tour to gather and chat. They serve several of their own beers as well as an assortment of other craft beers on tap and a large selection of bottles. The selection this today was perfect for a Hop Head with three different IPAs, including a memorable pepper IPA that had just the right amount of heat.
 |
| The second of three Dayton area brewpubs located in strip malls |
 |
| Eudora brewing equipment |
 |
| Eudora brew-on-premise equipment |
Eudora Brewing Company is unique among the Dayton area breweries for two reasons. First, it includes a Brew-on-Premise (BOP) operation and second, it donates a percentage of it's sales to
Charity Water whose mission is help those in need of clean water throughout the world. Each month they update their Facebook page with how much has been donated. It's a pretty cool thing. The BOP operation is just getting started and we had the luxury of trying out an Imperial IPA that they are still tweaking the recipe. Very good. In addition, there was a Chocolate Milk Porter that received rave reviews. N.B. All of the Stouts and Porters on the Beer Bus Tour were excellent.
 |
| Not in a strip mall, but darn close to it |
 |
| Got pretty crowded with 40 of us from the bus tour - guess that's why they are expanding |
The
Dayton Beer Company can rightly claim fame to being the first in long line of Dayton area breweries opening their doors just a little less than two years ago. I know that because I was one of first in the door when they opened. At this point, the Beer Bus Tour realized that they needed to pick up the pace - "Bip-Bop" - if they were going to finish what they started.
 |
| Located downtown Dayton in the Oregon District |
 |
| Some of the brewing equipment |
 |
| A repurposed building with exposed brickwork and beams |
In addition to having the best name,
Toxic Brew Company also had the most memorable beer of the day for me. I can't stop thinking about the Orange Cream IPA. I've been dreaming of that one and can't wait to try it again. In addition, they have a large assortment of high gravity beers and I can pretty much guarantee you that they will have a number of things different than you've ever had before.
 |
| Neighbors pooled their resources to start this co-op in Historic St. Anne's Hill |
 |
| They are not brewing yet, but the equipment is in place |
 |
| Fire pit in what will become the beer garden this summer |
Fifth Street Brewpub is unique in Dayton, and pretty much unique anywhere, since it is only the second co-op brewpub in the country. Two years ago they began to solicit members to help fund the renovation of this abandoned neighborhood building. (Disclaimer, I am one of the member-owners). After a slow start, they quickly gained momentum and transformed this dilapidated structure into one of the most welcoming bars you will find anywhere. I know that I am biased, but I really love this place. It has a great feel to it that you will recognize immediately upon walking in the door. They aren't brewing their own beer yet, but they have a great variety of craft beers on tap including ones from local Dayton breweries. The brewing equipment is in place and they should be brewing their own soon. Another cool thing - which I didn't know before - is that member-owners will be able to use the brewing equipment to brew their own recipes and if they make the cut some will be served in the brewpub. Their business model includes having 6 of their own beers and 6 guest beers on tap. In addition, they serve some of the best pub food around - even with a kitchen that isn't yet fully operational.
 |
Our fearless leader: Dave Boston of Boston's Bistro
Thanks Dave! |
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but we bailed after this stop. It was after 6:00, more than 8 hours into the excursion and this was a good spot for us to meet up with our designated drivers for dinner and then to go our separate ways. So unfortunately, I can't lay claim to being one of the Dayton Beer Bus Tour survivors, but I can claim to having a great time and looking forward to finishing the final two stops -
Yellow Springs Brewery and
Hairless Hair Brewery - as well as Dayton's most recent brewery
Warped Wing Brewing Company.
What a great thing for Dayton to have such a great selection of local breweries. Throughout the day, I had many great, memorable local beers. Not a single one that I wouldn't order again.
Seventh Stop: Graeter's
 |
| Graeter's: Nothing better after a day of drinking |
No comments:
Post a Comment