Blank Slate Brewing Company – Cincinnati, OH 6 DEC 2014

After a little more than two year's of operation (summer 2012), the Blank Slate Brewing Company just opened a taproom at its brewery location.   The brewery is literally a stone’s through from Cincinnati’s Lunken Airport, but hidden in a non-descript space easily missed. 

The brewery is very small in comparison to some of the other recently opened Cincinnati breweries (i.e. Rhinegeist, Mad Tree) and has the look of a “garage” operation, but don’t let that dissuade you.  They have been turning out unique, high quality beers since their opening, all of which has been meticulously documented in their blog posts.  Recent expansion allowed the creation of the tap room – see bags of grains waiting to be turned into beer in newly obtained storage space (bottom right photo below).  

 Notice the Tibetan prayer flags.

View from the tap room into the brewery.

The tap room is equipped with a small bar, a number of two seat tables – repurposed whisky barrels used for aging - and bigger tables that easily accommodate larger groups.  It’s not pretentious, but pleasant and welcoming as were the bar tender (who’d only been on the job 2 days) and the brewer who were both willing to engage in conversation despite the busyness surrounding the new opening.

Repurposed whiskey barrel, now a hightop table.

Without exception, the beers at Blank Slate Brewing Company were excellent.  They include the traditional beer styles, but all with a slight twist.  I had the India White (The Lesser Path) – a traditional white ale hopped up like an IPA.  Incredible!  Followed by the Saison (Ryesing Up) – a traditional unfiltered cloudiness met with a pepper hot finish.  My friend had the Spiced Oktoberfest (Turn for the Wurst) flavored with spices traditionally found in German sausage.

Beer taps with beers listed.