Reds Opening Day celebration hits twice this year, with the first game of the season happening on March 30 against the Washington Nationals, and the annual Findlay Market Parade occurring on April 2 (followed by a home game versus the Chicago Cubs). MLB scheduling changes moved the upcoming season’s start date up a week and, in the best interest of Findlay’s food vendors — whose businesses would take a major hit if the market was closed before the Easter holiday — it was decided the parade would take place on April 2. (The market is closed during the parade.) Rhinegeist is opening its rooftop patio at 9 a.m. both days (weather permitting). On Friday, head to the brewery for brunch, provided by Sartre OTR, and indulge in a lineup of beers and other beverages, including beermosas. Come back on Monday for more great brews and food — this time provided by Nada. DJs will get the party going on both days and a shuttle will be available to and from Rhinegeist and Great American Ball Park.
Speaking of Rhinegeist, the Brewers Association published their annual list of top-selling breweries by sales volume, and the almost five-year-old Rhinegeist ranks 33 on the top 50 craft breweries in the nation and ranks 43 on the overall list. The only other Ohio brewery to make both lists was Great Lakes Brewing.
Braxton — which is celebrating its third anniversary on March 31 (the original block party was canceled due to weather) — gets in on the March 30 Opening Day spirit with a few events around town. At their upstairs loft space, called The Loft, the party entails tapping 1957, an English-style mild. There will be snacks from Eli’s BBQ and a shuttle to the ball park, all for $25 ($20 without the shuttle). Or, if you’d rather drink at your own pace, hang out in their taproom to watch the game or head to neighboring The Gruff and The House of Orange for all-day specials.
On March 30 and April 2, Washington Park and Taft’s Ale House will throw Opening Day and Opening Day Parade parties throughout the park. Expect beer, “over-sized yard games,” cornhole and a live broadcast of the games, including home game Reds vs. Cubs on April 2. Arrive early on Monday to make sure that you’ll have the perfect view of the parade floats passing by — sidewalk space can be difficult to come by. After the procession, stick around for music, family-friendly activities, food and cold beverages.
Taft’s is also hosting an event Monday at the ale house. Doors open at 8 a.m. for Taft’s Season Opener. The first 100 people to buy a Nellie’s Key Lime ale will get a free T-shirt, and other prizes will be given out throughout the day. The brewery will also be releasing a rare bourbon-barrel bottle, the first in their S+B Bottle Release series.
Moerlein Lager House is partying Friday with a free concert from LDNL (Lieutenant Dan’s New Legs) and Superbad. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the concerts run noon-4 p.m., with game-day food specials under the tent and baseball-themed brew, 7th Inning Stretch, on tap. The Hops Garden will also be open with beer and concessions. The party continues Monday after the parade with more live music from Superbad. Concessions will be open and seasonal Strawberry Pig will be on tap.
New Beers
– For the baseball season, MadTree has already brought back their Rounding Third Red IPA, and Rhinegeist’s Hustle IPA recently hit store shelves and the taproom.
– Besides the return of baseball-themed beers, FigLeaf just released Wee Easy Scotch Ale on draft and in bottles.
– Last week Urban Artifact resurrected Squeezebox, a strawberry Midwest Fruit Tart.
– Streetside’s feeling spring, too, with the recent release of their homebrew collaboration beer John Lemon. It’s a lemon meringue New England IPA that’s brewed with Citra hops, oats, vanilla and fresh lemon juice. The brewery also released another There Will Be Blood-themed I Drink Your Milkshake IPA (Daniel Day-Lewis would be proud). This one was brewed with blueberry puree and “absurd amounts of vanilla beans.” It’s available on draft and in cans. And on April 7, they will release a wild ale apricot beer on draft and in bottles as part of their All in the Family sour series. The beer was aged in wine barrels, and the bottles can be cellared.
– Listermann releases new canned beers every month, and on April 7 they’ll unleash Yoda Strikes Back, a New England double IPA named after an employee’s dog, and Just a Beer, another New England-style IPA. Both beers will also be on tap.
Events
– Every Wednesday, Ludlow, Ky.’s Bircus Brewery donates money to a charity. On March 28, the charity is Girls on the Run and $1 of every pint, flight and growler sold will go toward their mission of inspiring girls “to be joyful, healthy and confident.”
– Braxton has moved its third anniversary party to March 31 because of inclement weather. The block party will feature live music from bands including headliners Red Wanting Blue, guest taps, food and limited-release Braxton brews. They’ve brought back Yesterday’s Headlines, a triple dry-hopped IPA, and Buzz honey peach kölsch, the official beer of the Bunbury Music Festival. Get more details here.
– During the evening of April 2, MadTree’s Barrel Program Manager, Simon Kretchik, hosts a Funk and Trunk Series. For $65, people can sample some of MadTree’s vintage beers paired with food from Catch-A-Fire Café. For example, 2016 Peach Levanto will be paired with prosciutto and ricotta bruschetta, and the brand new 2018 Boysen The Wood will be served alongside an arugula and goat cheese salad with boysenberry vinaigrette.
– On April 8, Wooden Cask teams up with Union, Ky.’s Farmstand Market Café for a four-course beer dinner. They will pair things like Yorkshire English Ordinary Ale with Yorkshire sausage, and a scotch ale with a steak. The cost is $50 per person.
– Bellevue’s Darkness Brewing and neighbor the Elusive Cow will do a joint dinner on April 9. For $25, four courses will be paired with Darkness’ beers. The Cow is known for vegetarian food, like tempeh sliders, made-from-scratch tortilla chips and portobella fries.
– On April 20, Mason will throw the inaugural Brews in the Burbs, a reason to celebrate more than 25 regional beers, including some beers brewed especially for the day. It will be held at Crossroads Mason and proceeds benefit Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. For $25, beer lovers get 10 beer samples and a souvenir mug. VIP and designated driver tickets are also available.
– On April 28, Cincinnati Girls Pint Out and Darkness will host Bras and Brews at the taproom. It’s a fundraiser to benefit Welcome House of Northern Kentucky, a woman’s shelter. They need new bras and underwear, so drop off some unmentionables, enjoy food from Texas Joe and enter to win a gift basket.
– Save the date: on April 21, Urban Artifact will celebrate three years with a party at their taproom; details will be announced soon. In the meantime, enjoy spring, beer dinners and baseball!
*Opening Day event dates have been updated to reflect the rescheduled Opening Day game
This article appears in Mar 21-28, 2018.