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.
Warped Wing Brewing CompanyWarped Wing Brewing Company is a Dayton, Ohio craft brewery whose original taproom and full-scale production brewery opened in January 2014 in a former foundry. Inspired by Ohio’s history of innovation and the Wright brothers’ wing-warping invention, the brewery makes its own beers and operates four Ohio taproom and restaurant locations. Its restaurants also serve barbecue built around smoked meats.DAYTON, OH
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