Columbus Brewing Company is one of the city’s oldest operating brewing operations, brewing since 1988 and rising throughout the years to stand out as one of Columbus’ best breweries. They started at the back of the now-shuttered CBC Restaurant in the Brewery District before moving to a light industrial site on the west side, just south of Grandview.
Then, after years of waiting, fans were finally rewarded when Columbus Brewing Company opened its first taproom in September 2019, and in spring of 2021 it added the perfect complement to its roster of lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts: PIZZA!
With the taproom’s public opening, there was finally a spot to taste more of CBC’s offerings. It also offered the brewers a chance to experiment with small batches, infusions, and one-off beers.
The taproom features a small retail shop up front; a long, concrete bar; and a main dining room plus a small patio.
We love sitting at the bar, to better see the digital beer menu and to chat with the bartenders.
The tap list tends to run 20 beers deep, which really showcases the depth of CBC’s brewing ability. They’re one of those rare breweries that excels at every style they make, from smooth and drinkable summer lagers, to a wide range of IPAs, to complex sour beers to rich, barrel-aged stouts. You name it, they do it, and do it well.
My preference is to order a flight of whatever strikes my fancy.
On recent visits we tasted barrel-aged stouts, Belgians, and some signature IPAs.
If you’re new to CBC, here are a few beers to try:
- Columbus IPA: one of their flagship beers, just a terrific IPA
- Pils: nice, clean pilsner
- Bodhi and Creeper: their award-winning double IPAs that first earned them national recognition
- Summer Teeth: terrific summer lager
- Technicolor Hat: a light and citrusy IPA, my favorite of their summer offerings
- Insane Wanderer: their ever-rotating hazy IPA series
- Citral Noel: their seasonal take on a Christmas ale with a hoppy edge
- Yakima Fresh: a seasonal beer that uses hops fresh from the harvest
- Or talk to the bartender and let them know what you like!
BONUS: in spring of 2021 they added a small food truck that permanently parks on site and dishes up some excellent pizzas, wings, sandwiches, salads, and other snacks.
We’ve made one visit for food and beer, and can give it all a hearty thumbs-up.
Their pizzas are square slice, deep dish Detroit-style. The cacio e pepe layers a ricotta and Parmesan cheese sauce with mozzarella and fresh-cracked pepper.
I’m a sucker for mozzarella sticks, and these are a real winner. So are the wings with a za’tar spice.
During the warmer months it’s all best enjoyed on their small patio, too.
The taproom is decorated with the giant, cartoonish monster characters that adorn some of their beers. You’ll also find photos of the hop harvest and brewing process.
And if any of the beers strike your fancy, you can pick up crowlers, cans, bottles – plus merch – from their retail store at the front.
Columbus Brewing Company
2555 Harrison Rd.
Columbus, OH 43204
(614) 224-3626
Open Tues-Thurs, 3-11p; Fri-Sat, 11:30a-12a; Sun, 11:30a-10p
Web: columbusbrewing.com
FB: @columbusbrewing
T: @columbusbrewing
IG: @columbusbrewingcompany
Learn more about the brewery in my interview with Columbus Brewing Company owner and brewmaster Eric Bean!
