At the end of a long day, sometimes all you want is a beer – even (maybe especially) parents.
Luckily, Southwest Ohio is brimming with family-friendly breweries, inviting you to enjoy a cold one without needing a sitter. Check out these 22 breweries around Cincinnati and Dayton, bring along the little ones, and enjoy some local craft beer responsibly. Cheers!
Cincinnati
16 Lots Brewery
16 Lots was created with the community of the greater Cincinnati area in mind. The massive taproom and outdoor patio (which dogs are not only allowed by encouraged) is the perfect place to spend a Saturday with the family. They offer tons of beer, as well as Sprecher Root Beer, on tap so anyone can order from the bar. Additionally, the brewery has tons of games inside like shuffleboard.
Brink Brewing
This College Hill brewery is loaded with features that encourage interaction, including a long 20-seater community table, a large bar with reclaimed-wood bar and a gigantic Scrabble board.
Bircus Brewing
The drive across state lines is well worth it for Bircus Brewing. With two locations in Northern Kentucky, Bircus offers weekly activities that kids can enjoy (found here) while parents can enjoy a drink from the rotating tap. Bircus also offers pizza for a quick, easy, and kid-friendly bite.
BrewDog
BrewDog has finally made a location in Cincinnati so that parents that parents can have a “BeerMecca” experience. With 24 beers available on tap, games, a dog-friendly patio, and a kids menu available until 9pm BrewDog is an awesome place to try out some new BrewDog beverages before buying at the store while hanging out with the whole family.
Fifty West Brew
Fifty West Brew is home to a massive beer garden with tons of outdoor activities like cornhole and beach volley ball. Fifty West offer 15 beers on tap, including a hard lemonade, with can options to take home. The simple but unique grill inspired menu also has a kids section for when anyone gets hungry after pickle ball.
MadTree Brewing
MadTree’s massive 10,000-square-foot beer garden is a fun family hangout. Their goal is to connect people with nature and each other. By being members of 1% for the Planet, MadTree donates 1% of all sales to non-profits focused on environmental sustainability. So grab a drink, bring the kids and feel good about doing it!
Rhinegeist Brewery
Rhinegeist is located in the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The 25,000 square foot, active brewing facility is housed in the former bottling plant of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., a formidable pre-Prohibition beermaker. Offering games like ping pong and cornhole makes this a great place for adults AND kids.
Sonder Brewing
The Sonder Brewing taproom is a spacious 2,000 sq ft taproom with plenty of seating, 32 beer taps with anywhere from 16 to 22 beer offerings, scratch food from BrewRiver, and outdoor beer garden and turf.
Swine City Brewing Co
Swine City proudly announces themselves as an extremely kid (and dog) friendly brewery. They have tons of outdoor seating where they regularly hold events, like Sunday’s Hounds and Hops, where parents can try the rotating tap list, and everyone can order pizza, fries, or dessert from their in-house food partners Pizza Cicerone.
Taft’s Brewpourium
Located in an old streetcar warehouse, Traft’s serves “apizza” — a New Haven style pizza (a crispy and coal-fired version of Neapolitan pizza). The space is industrial, big and very family-friendly. Treat your belly to a cold, crisp pint of beer and piping hot meal today.
West Side Brewing
Family hangout, meeting place, carryout,… you name it West Side has it. Providing over 30 different choices including obviously beer but also cider, wine and soft drinks.
Dayton
Carillon Brewing Company
Carillon Brewing Co. offers visitors a glimpse into 1850s-era Dayton through the authentically prepared food and drink of the times. It is the nation’s only production brewery in a museum, and the only U.S. brewery replicating the historic brewing process.
Crooked Handle Brewing Company
With live music Fridays, 14 draft taps and a full menu, Crooked Handle became Springboro Ohio’s first craft brewing in 2015 and they have not slowed down.
Dayton Beer Company
This European style beer all and Production Brewery is located in the heart of downtown Dayton and just steps away from Fifth Third Field. Award-winning Dayton Beer Company beers are always on tap at both the main bar, which features 36 Ohio craft taps, and the outside bar.
Eudora Brewing Co
The massive taproom and dog-friendly patio offers rotating beers on tap, a full kitchen, plenty of other alcoholic beverages, and a kids menu. While the family is waiting to try a beer or get a bite, Eudora offers board games, corn hole, and tons of other games inside and out.
Hairless Hare Brewery
The Hairless Hare Brewery offers a wide selection of craft beer brewed on site, handcrafted pizza, smoked wings, scratch made soups and more.
Loose Ends
Loose ends is committed to craft beer, community, and charity. 100% of every charity beer purchased goes directly to the current Dayton area non-profit being supported. The menu also has tons of modern twists on classic bar foods, so do not miss out of the Korean Fried Chicken Wings.
Mother Stewart’s Brewing
The event-packed taproom and beer garden is the proud host of many community gatherings, fundraisers, and live music events. Some of the more unique activities include movie screenings and farmers markets. Beer and events change seasonally so make sure to check out their website.
Toxic Brew Company
Toxic Brew Company produces beer in the heart of Dayton’s Oregon District. They brew a variety of beer styles and serve a selection of beer from other breweries as well. Visit the taproom and enjoy a beverage and a game of shuffleboard. Sit on their outdoor patio and enjoy a wonderful view of the Oregon District.
Warped Wing Brewery
This full-scale production brewery opened in January of 2014 and is located in the heart of downtown Dayton. It’s the former site of the Buckeye Brass & Iron Foundry circa 1938. With a special Lagers series, a barrel aged beer program, house made sodas, and crafted beer cocktails, Warped Wing has a wide range of products to accommodate virtually any palette.
Yellow Springs Brewery
Located along the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail, Yellow Springs offers both indoor and outdoor seating for you as you enjoy a fresh pint. The taproom experience is not your typical bar scene. Guests can savor the full-flavored craft beers in an eclectic and art-filled space without the distraction of blaring televisions.