303 Green Meadows Dr S.
Lewis Center, OH 43035
740.803.1561
website
Built into an old industrial building in Lewis Center, Olentangy River Brewing is pretty clearly a mark of changing times in this part of the northern Outerbelt of Columbus. Here’s an area that used to be kind of a quiet industrial center and now shops and businesses of all kinds, and thousands of houses, are being built all over the area. Maybe faster than any other part of Central Ohio, this area is quickly being built into a suburb of Columbus. So it makes sense to have a local brewery to hang out at.
The brewery has about 20 kinds of beer available at a time, and there are good options. Among them:
- Hero by Enrique Iglesias: A middle-of-the-road red ale with a steady and slight malt.
- Whetstone Lager: A German helles option, this one is another light and welcoming crisp flavor.
- Ol’n Tangy Passionfruit: Passionfruit gives kind of a sweetness. This beer is a gose, and it’s thin and has a 4.6% ABV.
- Roosevelt Coffee Stout: Brewed with the favorite local coffee name in downtown Columbus, this one has a slight smoke but the coffee is no subtle part of it.
- Sofia: A West Coast IPA which has a little more of a light hop and feel a but more spry. But with the 6.9% ABV that will definitely sneak up on you.
- Susie: A New England IPA has a very assertively juicy flavor, and maybe a little bit of a pucker at the end.
- Ginger’s 3-Hour Tour: This blonde ale has kind of a muted hint of ginger in it, but with a little bit of a sweeter note, too. Cozy.
- Let’s Drink S’More: This red ale has a sweet and chocolatey vibe, but it would be better as a stout.
- Orangesickle: A wheat-based beer, yes this one is sweet and dessert. Not bad.
So, this brewery has a very bare-bones industrial feel, and it’s got an even nicer bit of service, a peaceful kind of bar where you can hang out during the day and work, or even in the evening, to watch a game or two. The food is light; there are some local baked goodies available and then the occasional food truck stops by, too.
Central Ohio is flush with breweries, and some are really thriving with a certain niche. This is the kind of brewery that you just want to hang out at. Go for it.
Recommendations
- Get a flight, it’s a chance to try a few of the beers, and given the size and rotating nature of the menu, the best way to get a handle on what’s really here.
- Limited food options except for food trucks. Plan to eat elsewhere!
- Also worthwhile to try the cold brew coffee if it’s on tap.
Another Food Critic 