Enjoy A Farm-To-Glass Brewing Experience At This Unique Brewery In Ohio
By Sarah McCosham|Published March 22, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
Ohio has a big presence in the brewing world, with Columbus and Cincinnati known for their biergartens (the latter of which is home to the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany!) and the eastern Appalachian region perfect for growing barley, corn, and rye. In fact, Athens is home to one of the most unique breweries in Ohio, and it’s one that belongs on every Buckeye State beer drinker’s radar. Little Fish Brewing Co. is a wholly unique brewery that makes world-class beer using Ohio-grown hops and local ingredients in innovative and sustainable ways.
You'll know you've arrived at Little Fish Brewing Co. when you see the (ahem) little sign out front.
This unique Ohio brewery has two locations -- Athens and Dayton -- but today we're taking a little trip to the Athens tap room, which you'll find at 8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH, 45701.
In 2015, the owners created their core beer recipes utilizing the Ohio-grown ingredients available at the time: organic spelt, heirloom corn, plus locally grown fruit and herbs. Today, Haus Malts in Cleveland provides Ohio-grown malted barley, wheat, spelt, rye, corn, and triticale for a majority of Little Fish's beers.
Fun fact: In 2016, Little Fish brewed the first commercial batch of "100% Ohio-grown" beer since Prohibition -- and possibly ever! What a cool claim to fame.
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Speaking of what's on tap, these brews are unlike anything you've ever had. From barrel-aged sours to mixed-culture beers, with so many delicious brews on tap, you'll probably encounter the high-class problem of selecting just one libation... so why not order a flight and try several?
Of course, it's not just farm-to-glass fare at this Ohio brewery; Little Fish’s Athens & Dayton kitchens are both run by talented Becky Clark of Pork & Pickles, who is committed to using locally grown food prepared in the most sustainable and innovative ways.
Both restaurants rely heavily on what's local and in season; these farm-to-table dishes run the gamut from hand-rolled pasta and house-made burgers to some of the most delicious and decadent pizzas you've ever had.
The Mushroom Pizza is a Detroit-style, deep dish 'za covered with earthy mushrooms and insanely savory and creamy cheeses. Paired with an ice-cold beer, and there's pretty much nothing better, except...
Don't forget to grab a bottle or two so you can enjoy Little Fish brews at home... though after experiencing this delightful Ohio brewery in person, you won't need much convincing for a return trip!