Tag Archives: craft brewery

Little Fish Brewing Co., Athens, Ohio

While visiting family in Athens, one of my favorite breweries to visit is Little Fish Brewing Co.  Opening the summer of 2015, the owners Jimmy Stockwell and Sean White focused on their mission to create beers from Ohio-grown ingredients.  The following year, their  “Barrel-Aged Woodthrush” won the 2016 World Beer Cup Gold Medal in the Belgian- and French-style Ale category.

In addition to their craft beers, I love the atmosphere of Little Fish as soon as I walk through the door.  The wrap-around bar is large enough to seat about twenty-five with a gigantic chalkboard that lists all of their available beers.

Inside, there are board games for families and friends to play as well as decks of cards for Euchre tournaments or a friendly game of Rummy.

Outside are several picnic tables  a large outdoor space for cornhole tournaments or a children’s game of tag.

My favorite craft brews are the Woodthrush and Our Lightest Beer, but there may be a new selection each time I visit.  I’m always happy to try the new brews to add to my list of favorites.

When Little Fish first opened, they brought in food trucks so their customers could order food.  Today, the breweries in Dayton and Athens have kitchens, run by Becky Clark.  In addition to the brewery’s awards over the years, Clark was nominated as a James Beard Award Winning Chef (Best Chef) in the Great Lakes Region for her work with Little Fish.  Just another reason why this brewery is so amazing.

Have you been to Little Fish Brewing Co. in Athens, Ohio?  Which craft beer did you like best?  Many thanks for reading about my visit to this award winning brewery and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011

Where to Eat:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011

Where to Drink:

Little Fish Brewing Co.
8675 Armitage Road
Athens, OH  45701
Telephone:  740 447 5011

Reclamation Brewing Co., Butler, Pennsylvania, NOW CLOSED

During a weekend visit to Butler, our family stopped by Reclamation Brewing Co. for lunch.  It was a place that my brother had visited often and highly recommended their food….especially their Beer Cheese Macaroni.

As we passed the bar, the large chalkboard provided a list of their craft brews while a smaller board posted their daily specials.  We placed our orders for drinks as we reviewed the menu and made our decision for lunch.

The kids ordered hot dogs and beer cheese macaroni and it looked absolutely delicious.

I was happy when my bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich arrived with a side of beer cheese macaroni while my brother and his wife ordered burgers and beer cheese macaroni as well.

We sat over lunch catching up and listening to the kids talk about their school.  It felt like old times when my brother’s family had lived closer and it was so wonderful to see how much they had grown since my last visit.

Have you been to Reclamation Brewery in Butler, Pennsylvania?  What was your favorite menu item?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Where to Eat in Butler, PA: 

Reclamation Brewery
221 South Main Street
Butler, PA  16001
Telephone:  724 790 4370

Charming Portland, Maine

Approaching the historic city of Portland, I arrived from the south crossing Casco Bay Bridge.  By way of 1A, I reached DiMillo’s on the Water for lunch.  I was excited for fresh seafood and a waterfront view.

I ordered the Jumbo Shrimp and Wedge Salad as starters.  There were so many amazing options on the menu, so I chose the Lobster Roll sandwich with a side of cole slaw.  Absolutely amazing!

Tony DiMillo first opened his restaurant, Anthony’s in 1954 because of his love for seafood.  Located on Fore Street in Old Port, Tony’s business flourished, bringing in business from both locals and visitors alike.  Anthony’s continued to grow, moving to Center Street, and by the late 70’s, he purchased and reinvented the Long Wharf transforming it into “DiMillo’s Marina”.  With 120 slips, boaters had the opportunity to dock and enjoy a fresh seafood meal with a spectacular view. The current restaurant opened in 1982 as “DiMillo’s Floating Restaurant” as the only one of its kind along the Upper East Coast, accommodating over 600 guests.  DiMillo’s legacy lives on as his family continues to create an exceptional dining experience with incredible views of Portland’s Harbor.

Although I could have stayed here all afternoon looking out into the bay, I had planned to walk off my lunch and explore the Old Port.   With its cobblestone streets, I found myself lost in time visiting the specialty shops and boutiques.

My curiosity brought me to the holy donut to try a Maine-style donut.  Founded in 2010, Leigh Kellis uses a northern Maine recipe to create her amazing donuts.  Her special ingredient is riced potatoes which provide “added flavor, texture and consistency” to her 24 different flavors of donuts, including gluten-free selections.  I couldn’t resist ordering the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt and Maple Bacon flavors which were incredibly moist and absolutely delicious.

I was completely mistaken when I thought the Thirsty Pig was just another craft brewery and excited at the endless possibilities of pairing specialty hot dogs with local beers.  From the BBQ Bahn Mi to the Viking, there is not a combination they haven’t created.

Luxurious yachts docked along the waterways are registered from multiple states along the east coast.  What a wonderful way to spend the afternoon than to tie up in Portland and explore the interesting port.

I would have never guessed that Portland was a cruise ship stop and it was such a wonderful surprise to see the Grandeur of the Seas docked in town for the day.

Approaching the end of my walk, I came upon an amazing artistic installation designed by Andy Rosen, a South Portland artist.  Titled, “Unpack”, the display was created from fake fur, PVC pipe, foam, and aluminum piping.  According to Rosen’s website, “The work imagines a pack of once domesticated dogs turned wild and abandoned on a pier waiting for their “masters” to return.”

And so, it was time for me to make my return back to Boston to prepare for a morning of meetings.  I was happy that I took the time to visit the beautiful, artistic port town of Portland to explore its lighthouses, enjoy its deliciously fresh seafood and to experience its charm.

Have you visited Portland, Maine?  I would love to hear about your visit and the things that you experienced here if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Portland and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

The Holy Donut
177 Commercial Street
Portland, ME  04101
Telephone: 207 331 5655

The Thirsty Pig
37 Exchange Street
Portland, ME  04101
Telephone:  207 773 2469

Where to Stay:

Inn at St. John Portland In-Town
939 Congress Street
Portland, ME  04102
Telephone:  800 636 9127

Where to Eat:

DiMillos
25 Long Wharf
Portland, ME  04101
Telephone:  207 772 2216

What to Eat:

Seafood, especially lobster!

What to Read:

  • Delirium, by Lauren Oliver
  • Persuader, by Lee Child
  • Shelter in Place, by Nora Roberts
  • The Singing Trees, by Boo Walker
  • The Probability of Miracles, by Wendy Wunder

Photo Guide for Portland:

  • Boda Thai Kitchen
  • Casco Bay and the Portland Head Lighthouse
  • Crown Jewel
  • Drifter’s Wife
  • Eventide Oyster Company
  • Portland Head Lighthouse
  • The Press Hotel