Jason Kelce, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Tecumseh are on the walls of a brewery. This isn’t an attempted setup to a punchline; it’s the reality of Ohio Brewing Company. Tucked away on E 2nd Ave., Ohio Brewing Company (OBC) is serving up fantastic food and Ohio pride.

Phillip Richardson, Director of Operations, has been in the food industry for over 25 years, managing and directing restaurants for the past few years. As the son of a barbecue restaurateur, Richardson has been in every role, from barback to cook. Richardson had been a family friend with Jim Velio, of Ohio Brewing Company, for over 20 years, which led him here, to OBC.

Since then, Richardson has found a home at Ohio Brewing Company and speaks with us today about why OBC should be your next visit.

Behind the Brew

“I definitely think (our clientele is) an eclectic mix of people, there’s all walks of life in a relaxed backdrop.” Richardson laughed, “I think that even though the size of the space looks enormous, it has a very intimate and comfortable feeling to it, which is pretty unique.”

When you walk into OBC, you’re immediately met with pictures of famous names, from Toni Morrison to “Macho Man” Randy Savage, murals painted by local artists, and an airplane piloted by Brutus the Buckeye, but we’ll get into all of that.

^{One of many walls covered in Ohioans.}

“The theme is Ohio. (The pictures) are people who are from Ohio or have an affiliation through school or similar. They’ve all walked their way through Ohio.”

So, even though pairing “The Bluest Eye” author and Carrie Bradshaw may seem like an unlikely pairing, it’s all quintessential Ohio. This goes from decor to brew, with their very own in-house brewmaster, Joe Kearns.

“He had a stint in Ireland for almost 10 years, brewing beer at one of the biggest breweries in Ireland. With more than 20 years of experience brewing beer, he has a very classic style of brewing.”

Don’t expect to order a big-name beer at OBC. The selection of homemade hops shares similar flavors to standout picks, such as Guinness and Blue Moon, but with more natural and complex notes.

Some of the best-sellers are the “Bowsie,” the nitro Irish stout, and the “Kulbit,” a fruit-forward IPA that shares a name with the flying Brutus overhead. No, those aren’t your beer-goggles fogging your vision; Brutus and his plane, a rural Ohio prop, are hanging upside down from the ceiling. This move is part of the famous “kulbit,” an aerial move characterized by a tight, 360-degree turn.

If that sort of flight isn’t so much your speed, OBC offers five-ounce flights of five beers of your choice. It keeps your feet on the ground, but sends your tastebuds on a journey they won’t forget. Plus, it’s the perfect party starter for the indecisive.

Behind the Food

The drinks are flowing at OBC, but don’t expect some bland bar food out of executive chef Joe Raccio’s kitchen. Though many would describe it as the notorious phrase, “elevated bar food,” OBC goes far beyond that. The menu, though hosting bar favorites like wings and pizza, is refined and full of fresh, vibrant flavors.

“We make everything from scratch here, except our breads, which we get locally sourced,” says Richardson. “One of our starters we make here that people go crazy over is our beer cheese, with our chips that are made in-house.”

Yes, even the chips are sliced, soaked, and fried daily.

^{Savory, melt-in-your-mouth pork burnt ends.}

We had the pleasure of trying a great deal of the menu, and nothing disappointed. The pork burnt ends and buffalo cauliflower are two saucy ways to start a meal, packed with backyard flavor that made our mouths water. We got our hands dirty with the “Mexi-Cali” smashburger, shrimp tacos, and the OBC Reuben, all of which were superb.

Of course, you can’t have bar bites without ranch, and OBC’s is top notch. Made in-house (and typically served in portions of four to five ramekins), the ranch is the perfect Midwestern addition to any of our delicious pizzas or wings.

“People love our wings; they are really top-notch. I’ll stack them up against any other place, really.”

Double-fried and sprinkled with special seasoning, these crispy chicken wings can be topped with star sauces like Habanero Barbecue, Asian Fusion, Buffalo, or Hot Honey.

Beyond the Crew

Ohio Brewing Company is the spot for your next gathering, from weddings to office parties. The OBC space accommodates up to 500 people, featuring a patio, a bride and groom suite, and a beautiful courtyard. With all this space to share, OBC can be transformed to fit the vibe of any event.

OBC has also hosted the “FAB” (Flea, Art, and Beer) festival twice, once in the spring and this past weekend, inviting the community and local businesses into their space to showcase the art and music Columbus is home to.

 

 

 

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421 E 2nd Ave, Columbus

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