If I could choose between wine and beer, I would much rather choose a robust red, but my experience at Yellow Spring Brewery left me wanting to visit more craft breweries in the state of Ohio.

When I think about ordering a beer, it’s usually a Bud Light with an order of chicken wings at the local pub or with a hot dog at a baseball game.  So when my friend, Dave suggested we visit Yellow Springs Brewery, I was curious to learn more about the craft brew craze and sample a few handcrafted ales and lagers.

Located on Walnut Street, the brewery is tucked away on a side street of town and can be a little difficult to find.  Once we found it, we parked our car and walked the gravel drive towards the entrance.

When we arrived at the large warehouse, we immediately noticed several large tanks which store the beer after fermentation and filtering.  The brewery offers a tour of the facility with an explanation of how they make their beer, followed by an opportunity to sample some of them in their spacious, comfortable tasting room.

Strolling into the brewery, we were directed toward the large blackboard that listed all of the available drinks.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was reading a foreign language.  After a few questions and a long look at the menu, the staff were eager to help me select a flight which included mostly lagers and ales.

From top to bottom, the list of beers start from light to dark.  The server suggested I start with the first four options and go from there should I decide to order more.  I chose the following:  Femme Ale, Kerfuffle, Wyatt’s Eviction and First Lost Episode.Without waiting long, our selections arrived on cute little silver paddles and the names of the craft beers were listed on a yellow colored sheet.  I was able to reference each of the samples and write my notes on the card. What a great way to remember which ones I really liked to place another order and to rate them for my own reference.

The first beer was a Gose beer described as a German style wheat ale brewed with coriander and salt.   A light and pillowy beer with a hint of floral spice, a touch of salt and a mellow acidity.  It has an ABV of 4.5% and a low IBU.  For a full glass, it is served in a 14 ounce tulip.  I had no idea that beer was served in any type of glass beside a frosty mug.  This selection represented the Pink Boots Society Big Boots brew day, recognizing female brewers.

My opinion:  very light – soft and smooth with a hint of citrus, the color looks like a cloudy lemonade;  In addition to the lovely flavor of the beer, what I liked was that it was produced by a group of women who are a part of an organization called the Pink Boots Society.  A $2 donation for each glass purchased goes towards the society to offset cost for further craft beer development,

The Kerfuffle was my second sample and I was a little thrown off by the darkness of its color. I had assumed that dark beers would have a more stout taste, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one.  It is described as an English Mild, rich and smooth Maris Otter against almost no hops or alcohol creating a monster of an English Mild…or just a, well, great mild.  Let’s beer geek out! It has an ABV of 3.1% and a low IBU.  For a full glass, it is served in a 16 ounce pub glass.

My opinion:  a light coffee aroma with a smooth texture….the color is dark, similar to a black coffee.

On to Wyatt’s Eviction which is an English Pale Ale and probably one that I am most familiar.  The summary states that it is an English malt, hops and yeast. Yep! They’re in there.  The focus of this English style bitter is balance.  The clean malt character holds the earthy and floral hops together with a beautiful fruity yeast note that refreshes the palate with each sip.  It has an ABV of 4.8% and a moderate IBU.  For a full glass, it is served in a 16 ounce pub glass.

My opinion:  dry and earthy, color that looks like a typical beer

Finally, I sampled the First Lost Episode which is a Belgian Fruit Beer with Cherries.  This beer is considered a Saison-style Ale brewed with Montmorency cherries to give it a burst of tangy and fruity notes.  Well balanced and never sweet. It has an ABV of 4.9% and a low IBU.  For a full glass, it is served in a 14 ounce tulip.

My opinion:  tastes like Leinenkugle Shanty….which I absolutely love.

Dave’s selections were on the thicker, darker side, but he found a beer that he liked and we both ordered a full sized beer before strolling through the charming town of Yellow Springs.

While I don’t claim to be a craft beer connoisseur, I enjoyed my experience and realized I had a lot to learn about craft beer.   I plan to check out some of the acronyms, craft beer lingo and maybe learn how to taste the flavors that are listed in their descriptions.  But regardless, we had a blast during our visit and thank the patient folks at Yellow Springs Brewery for all of their help in assisting us in our beer selection.  We look forward to coming back again soon for another round or two.

Have you visited Yellow Springs Brewery or can provide me any tips when trying craft beers? Please leave me a message in the comments section below and wishing you many Happy Travels.  Cheers!

What to See and What to Do: 

Yellow Springs Brewery
305 North Walnut Street
Yellow Springs, OH  45387
Telephone:   937 767 0222

Check out the website for taproom hours and a list of craft beers available.

Where to Stay:

Mills Park Hotel
321 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH  45387
Telephone:  937 319 0400

Where to Eat: 

Winds Cafe
215 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH  45387
Telephone:  937 767 1144

My favorite menu is the Winds Charcuterie Plate, a selection of Winds kitchen’s pates and terrines, including imported and domestic cured meats, pickles and house condiments.

What to Read: 

Not That I Could Tell, by Jessica Strawser

Photo Guide to Yellow Springs: 

• Clifton Gorge
• Colorful, Artsy Streets
• Glen Helen Nature Reserve
• John Bryan State Park
• Sunflower Field, located at 4625 US-68, Yellow Springs (The Tecumseh Sunflower Field)
• Wall Murals
  • Preparation for Life Work by Axel Horn hangs in the Yellow Springs Post Office
  • Village Cyclery is the location of the oldest mural in Yellow Springs
  • “Kieth’s Alley” located behind the shops on the east side of Xenia Avenue between Cory and Glen Street showcases several murals
  • Winds Cafe displays one of the largest murals in town
  • Ohio Silver Co. displays a beautiful painting by Maxfield Parrish
  • The patio of Sunrise Cafe
  • The Smoking Octopus displays the works of Sarah Dickens
  • The Xenia Avenue Shops’ painting was created by local Mandy Knaul (Mandy Sue)
  • Corner Cone mural designed by Pierre Nagley
  • Kings Yard murals

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