20 of the Best Dayton Ohio Breweries
The brewery scene in Dayton Ohio has expanded greatly since 2010. There were very few breweries in the area at the time, but those few and new breweries have been growing ever since. Because of that, you might wonder which Dayton Ohio breweries are worth visiting. To help you choose, we’ve put together a list of the breweries with a description of each.
Breweries in Dayton Ohio Near Downtown
Lock 27 Brewing
Located next to Day Air Ballpark, Lock 27 Brewery creates small batches of artisan craft brews. The brewery’s focus is on quality and exploring beyond the boundaries of conventional.
That’s what makes the brews so “authentically different,” a phrase that carries more weight than any other at the brewery. Along with tasting the full lineup, you can grab a bite from the kitchen’s diverse, made-from-scratch menu.
The Dayton Beer Company
As an award-winning brewery, The Dayton Beer Company was founded in 2010 by Peter Hilgeman. It was the first Dayton-owned and operated brewery in half a century. Within three years, it grew from a 1-BBL pilot brewery to a 15-BBL production brewery. This success resulted in Hilgeman opening the Kettering Tap Room & Brewery in 2012.
The secret behind this success is that The Dayton Beer Company doesn’t take shortcuts with its brewing process. You can tell as soon as you taste these fresh and flavorful handcrafted beers. The taproom keeps 36 carefully curated brews on tap. Drink options are available for non-beer drinkers as well.
The Barrel House
Independently owned and operated, The Barrel House is different from most Dayton Ohio breweries. It has a coffeehouse setting, but rather than coffee and tea, it serves beer and wine. The taproom has 17 brews on tap, and the insta-chill cooler can make any shelf bottle of beer or wine cold in just five to seven minutes. You can even order a 5-ounce flight of draft beers and wine.
Warped Wing Brewing Company
Calling a 1938 industrial building its home, Warped Wing Brewing Company is a microbrewery that has only been open since 2014. You can try a range of creative beers, each of which is inspired by the rich history of invention and innovation in Ohio. The taproom gives you a chance to experience the award-winning beverages alongside snacks, sandwiches, and more.
Toxic Brew Company
Which do you prefer — American, Bavarian, or Belgian beer? At Toxic Brew Company, you can have all three brew styles. This downtown Dayton brewery opened in 2013 in the historic Oregon District, becoming the first downtown brewery in the downtown area in over half a century. In addition to beer, the easygoing, exposed-brick joint serves wine, spirits, and cocktails.
Dayton Ohio Breweries Outside of Downtown
Fifth Street Brewpub
Providing a place to meet friends and share smiles, Fifth Street Brewpub is the first co-op brewpub in Ohio. It’s located in St. Anne’s Hill Historic District, just 1 mile from downtown, in a renovated 1856 timber house, which the brewery revitalized in 2012. Alongside the house brews, the menu includes gourmet pub fare made from scratch.
Branch & Bone Artisan Ales
Established in Historic South Park, Branch & Bone Artisan Ales is an independent brewery brought about by a passion for beer and friendship. The owners aim to create balanced, flavorful brews of the highest quality possible using local ingredients. At the same time, the brewery contributes to the surrounding community. Taste the variety of beer for yourself in the taproom.
Carillon Brewing Company
One of the most historical breweries, Carillon Brewing Company is located in Carillon Historical Park and the only U.S. full-production brewery that’s located in a museum. Also, it’s the only brewery in the country that replicates the historic brewing process.
While enjoying authentically prepared drinks and food, you can get a glimpse of what Dayton was like in the 1850s. The brewery and museum features gas copper lamps, white oak doors, and a brick furnace. German, English, and Irish offerings are presented by costumed wait staff.
Eudora Brewing Company
Unlike the other breweries in Dayton Ohio, Eudora Brewing Company is a trendy brewery and taproom that lets you become a brewmaster. The 8,000-square-foot taproom and 4,000-square-foot patio feature more than 18 handcrafted brews on tap, and you get to try your hand at making your own. Additionally, the kitchen serves scratch-made fare, including burgers, cold brew coffee, and sodas. Board games, darts, cornhole, billiards, and other games are available for your enjoyment too.
Breweries on the Outskirts of Dayton Ohio
The Hairless Hare Brewery
Founded in 2013 in Vandalia, The Hairless Hare Brewery is the only microbrewery north of Dayton. It makes a number of craft brews on-site, and the menu includes scratch-made soups, smoked wings, and house-made pizza. The brewery expanded its taproom into the adjacent space and added the Blackbird Meadery in 2020. Then in 2021, the brewery added a large outdoor patio.
Alematic Artisan Ales
Located in Huber Heights, Alematic Artisan Ales is one of the greater Dayton Ohio breweries that makes handcrafted ales in small batches. Although it doesn’t have a kitchen, it has an exclusive agreement with Classic Pizza and schedules food trucks to deliver local menus to the taproom.
Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities
Esteemed brewer Charles Navillus is the mastermind behind the brews at Nowhere in Particular Cabinet of Curiosities. He takes an aggressive approach to experimenting with a wide range of beer styles. Check out the brewery and taproom in Kettering for yourself.
Loose Ends Brewing
Striving to bring together the community, Loose Ends Brewing offers new, refreshing craft beers in Centerville. It brews every beverage with care so that you only get the best beer. The brewery has an awesome food menu that includes artisan foods that pair perfectly with all of its craft brews as well.
Heavier Than Air Brewing Co.
Unique from many breweries in Dayton Ohio, Heavier Than Air Brewing Co. in Centerville crafts bold beers that are inspired by the courage of humankind. The brewery owners have an affinity for the history and innovation of the aviation industry. There’s a long heritage of invention in the Dayton area, and that comes through in the aviation-themed craft brews that you can taste in the taproom.
Star City Brewing Company
Featuring a casual tasting room, Star City Brewing Company proudly offers great-tasting beers and good times. It was founded in 2013 and is located in the historic Peerless Mill Inn in Miamisburg. Alongside a variety of brews on tap, the brewery serves several housemade wines.
More Great Breweries in Nearby Towns
Mother Stewart’s Brewing
Located in the heart of Springfield, Mother Stewart’s Brewing is a family-owned production brewery with a big taproom and a wonderful beer garden. It’s housed in a rustic, historic warehouse and hosts live music and community events throughout the year. However, the brewery concentrates on producing craft brews with local ingredients. You can try all of the current beers in the taproom.
Yellow Springs Brewery
With the motto “Crafting Truth to Power,” Yellow Springs Brewery believes in the spirit of community. Its taproom in Yellow Springs is an art-filled space for gathering with friends to enjoy fresh beer straight from the tap. The large list of brews changes regularly, and you can try any of them by the pint or tasting flight. You can also visit the mixed fermentation production facility — called the Barrel Room — where you can try new sour beer blends.
Devil Wind Brewing
Alongside the above Dayton Ohio breweries, Devil Wind Brewing is one of the most outstanding breweries in the area. It’s the result of a combined 20 years of experience between four friends and a goal to positively impact the city of Xenia, which is where the brewery is located. The brewery makes styles of beers that aren’t widely produced in the greater area.
Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
At Crooked Handle Brewing Co., making fantastic beer is a top priority. The founders were introduced to craft beer brewing in 2008 and opened the brewery in 2015, making it the first craft brewery in Springboro. While you drink a beer on tap, you can eat shareable snacks, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
FigLeaf Brewing Company
In keeping with the sacred spirit of The Bodhi Tree, FigLeaf Brewing Company seeks to enlighten you as you immerse yourself into the craft beer world. The brewery in Middletown strives to satisfy the tastes of every craft beer enthusiast. It houses custom equipment and uses less common techniques to produce one-of-a-kind flavors.
Do you have a favorite Dayton Ohio brewery? Tell us below!
Frequently Asked Questions About Dayton Ohio Breweries
How many breweries are in Dayton Ohio?
There are more than 15 breweries in Dayton Ohio and more than 25 located in the surrounding area.
What are some Dayton breweries with food?
It goes without saying that brewpubs serve both beer and food. Many other breweries serve food in their taprooms too. Here’s a quick list:
• Lock 27 Brewing
• The Barrel House
• Warped Wing Brewing Company
• Fifth Street Brewpub
• Carillon Brewing Company
• Eudora Brewing Company
• The Hairless Hare Brewery
• Alematic Artisan Ales
• Loose Ends Brewing
• Mother Stewart’s Brewing
• Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
What is the best beer in Ohio?
Everyone’s perception of what the best beer tastes like is different, so we can’t tell you which one is best. Instead, we challenge you to try a wide variety to decide for yourself. Then, tell us your conclusion in the comments below.
What is the Dayton Ale Trail passport 2021?
One way to experience the many beers in the Dayton area is to grab the Dayton Ale Trail passport book. The passport is a collaboration with more than 25 local breweries. If you visit all of them and collect the stamps, you’ll be awarded with a logo beer glass to commemorate the achievement.