Founded in 2010 by owner and brewmaster Peter Hilgeman, The Dayton Beer Company makes handcrafted beer in downtown Dayton, where its 2012 taproom and production brewery became the city’s first locally owned and operated brewery in 50 years. DBC grew from a one-barrel pilot system to a 15-barrel production brewery in less than three years, pairing its award-winning beers with a European-style beer hall, rotating Ohio craft taps and spaces for gatherings. The brewery also emphasizes giving back to its hometown as it continues to grow with Dayton.
Paladin BrewingOpened in 2015 by Austintown couple John and Abby Chandler, Paladin Brewing makes locally brewed beer on a 15-barrel system and serves it in a family-friendly tavern. John’s home-brewing hobby grew into what the brewery describes as the Youngstown area’s first 15-barrel brewery, with more than 20 beer styles on tap and a kitchen added in 2021. The Chandlers also use the tavern as a community gathering place, hosting recurring events and fundraising drives that have raised thousands of dollars.AUSTINTOWN, OH
Little Fish Brewing CoBuilt from an abandoned mechanic’s shop in Athens, Little Fish Brewing Co. has brewed farmhouse, barrel-aged, and mixed-culture beers since co-owners Jimmy Stockwell and Sean White opened it in 2015. The independently owned brewery became a farm-to-table restaurant in 2017 and now operates taprooms in Athens and Dayton, pairing its rotating beers with locally sourced food. Little Fish is especially known for its Ohio-grown brewing program, including the state’s first commercial 100% Ohio-grown beer since at least Prohibition, and its award-winning barrel-aged sours.ATHENS, OH
Earnest Brew WorksBorn from the shared passion of two homebrewers, Earnest Brew Works is a brewer-owned brewery and taproom company making beer in Toledo, Ohio, since 2016. Its brewers balance traditional styles with fresh ingredient ideas, producing more than 50 unique recipes each year for a community-focused taproom experience across four locations.TOLEDO, OH
Cinderlands Beer CompanyFounded in Pittsburgh in 2017 by two married couples, Cinderlands Beer Company grew from garage brewing at its original Lawrenceville site into an independent brewery with three locations. Its 17,500-square-foot Warehouse in the Strip District is the company’s main production center, while Long Story Short preserves the original space as a neighborhood bar and sandwich shop. Cinderlands’ beers have earned gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup, including recognition for its Brett and experimental beers.PITTSBURGH, PA