German food and beer? In a renovated 1896 firehouse, in an historic neighborhood? With weekend brunch and patio space?! I’M IN.
Gemüt Biergarten is closing in on three years as a German-style brewery and beer hall in the heart of Olde Towne East, just off Parsons Avenue on Oak Street. It sits in the old Engine House No. 12, a fire station that also served as an arts and craft shop and the Columbus Music Hall before the Gemüt owners took over.
Both in the interior and exterior are gorgeously done, maintaining the historic character while modernizing the space.
The main beer hall features a long bar, communal tables, and stained glass windows.
One wall is laden with racks carrying mugs for the Woden’s Hunting Club members. Each member gets discounts on beer and pretzels, access to special events, and more. The memberships become available annually, and they do sell out!
Gemüt’s beer list focuses around German brews, of course – Dunkels, Helles, Maibocks, Dortmunders, Hefeweizens – with a few more European styles thrown in, like Baltic porters, Czech pilsners, and the like.
Need a place to start? Order a flight, or a half liter of the Woden’s Hunt Dunkel, their signature beer, which took home a bronze medal in the 2022 World Beer Cup.
We’ve only begun working our way through the beer list, but everything we’ve tasted is finely executed, the kind of clean-drinking, flavorful brews that are perfect for knocking back on a patio on a summer day, or pairing with their menu.
Not a beer drinker? Gemüt offers radlers (their Helles + lemonade), wine, sangria, and cocktails.
The food menu reaches to its German roots as well, with a few modern touches. Try the giant pretzel, the reuben with kaserspatzle, and one of the flatbreads (this was a mushroom special).
Gemüt features a small, brick-lined patio out front, but out back is an expansive beer garden, with patio lights strung about and touches of greenery.
I’m amazed at everything they’ve fit into that building, including the full brewery (which you walk through going from the main beer hall to the back patio).
After the Columbus Music Hall closed in 2008, many feared this building would get razed, so I’m doubly thankful that a.) the structure was given new life, and b.) that it was turned into such a beautiful brewery and restaurant.
Bonus: Gemüt has its own parking lot on the corner of Oak and Parsons!
Gemüt Biergarten
734 Oak St.
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 725-1725
Web: gemutbiergarten.com
FB: @gemutbiergarten
IG: @gemutbiergarten
