On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, my sinful urge to have a beer led me to Father John’s Brewery, the former Methodist church in Bryan, Ohio. Originally built in 1867, this wooden church was later renovated in 1895 with a red-brick exterior, beautiful stained glass windows and the addition of a pipe organ, custom built.
Instead of waiting for a table, I grabbed a chair at the cross shaped bar and placed an order for a flight of brews.
A self-proclaimed novice to local craft beer, I tend to lean towards the light beers or ones that offer hints of fruit flavors.
My beer selections for my flight of 6 include:
- The Venerable Bede IPA 1% – love this one
- Sacrificial Goat Amber 66% – just a slight nutty taste
- Proverbial Porter 1% – grows on you; wasn’t my favorite at first
- Michael’s Pale Ale 6.3% a fellow bought the very first pint and they named this beer after him
- Fresh off the Bine Fresh op Beer 5.3% – can taste the wheat
- The Imp Imperial Rye 8,4%
- Ranger IPA 6.5% – love this one
Enjoying my selection of craft brews, I grabbed a couple of my samples so I could walk around and browse the amazing set up. I felt as though I was standing in the middle of a Renaissance castle with life-size armor, period furniture and Medieval embellishments.
Father John’s Brewing Company opened in 2012 to produce ales and lagers in addition to wine and meads. With a brew-on-site operation, Father John’s includes eighteen draft beers.
Red hymnals rest on each table in lieu of the traditional church pew.
While indoors you may notice the dark, mysterious interior, a walk outside will have you feeling as though you have taken a seat among the French countryside.
The owners of Father John’s want visitors to consider their brewery as a place to discover. One way is to roam both the beautiful exterior as well as the fascinating interior. During my exploration, I learned that there is a crypt within the grounds of the church. The space below the ground has been covered with a clear glass as it is thought to be containing remains, but out of respect it has been undisturbed.
Did you know that the first gluten-free craft beer made in Ohio came from Father John’s? They appropriately named it Intolerant Ale.
Exiting the brewery, I found the beautiful garden with fire pits, flowers and tables to enjoy the outdoors. What a change from the dilapidated structure that had lay empty over a period of time leaving the slate roof falling in and its foundation crumbling. Saving the building, Dr. John Trippy opened the space as a brewery/restaurant in 2012. Shortly thereafter, the Stoned Goat Inn was opened for visitors needing an overnight stay.
There is an incredible serenity at Father John’s. Visitors are welcome to take a tour of the brewery, experience a wine tasting, book a private gathering or even a night at the inn for an immersive experience.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Father John’s Brewery in Bryan, Ohio? Did you stay overnight? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my exciting visit to Father John’s and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Father John’s Brewery
301 W Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 633 1313
Tues – Thurs: 3pm – 10pm; Friday: 3pm – Midnight; Saturday: 11am – Midnight and closed Sunday and Monday
Where to Stay:
Father John’s Brewery
301 W Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 633 1313
Tues – Thurs: 3pm – 10pm; Friday: 3pm – Midnight; Saturday: 11am – Midnight and closed Sunday and Monday
Where to Eat:
Father John’s Brewery
301 W Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 633 1313
Tues – Thurs: 3pm – 10pm; Friday: 3pm – Midnight; Saturday: 11am – Midnight and closed Sunday and Monday
I ordered the Angelic Wings with the Sweet Thai sauce in addition to the Charcuterie Board with its many cheeses and meats.
Where to Drink:
Father John’s
301 W. Butler Street
Bryan, OH 43506
Telephone: 419 633 1313
Website: https://www.fatherjohnsmicrobrewery.com/
What to Read:
- A Sweet Century: The 100-Year History of Spangler Candy Company and the Spangler Family, Bryan, Ohio, by William L. Culbertson
