The craft brewery scene in and around Columbus is hopping (pardon the pun). And if trying handcrafted beers is your thing, you can even follow the Columbus Ale Trail, collecting passport stamps at 41 local establishments. Some, like BrewDog are more than just a bar.
Brew Dog: Restaurant, Brewery,
Bar, Hotel, Television Show
While beer is really not my drink of choice, I had heard quite a bit about BrewDog in Canal Winchester, just southeast of Columbus. Including the brewery, the company has a total of four locations in Ohio, one in Pittsburgh and another in Indianapolis.
The brand was begun in Scotland when founders James Watt and Martin Dickie purchased their first bar in 2009. Their expansion included the addition of distilleries and even a television show on the Esquire network which ran for three seasons. To date they have over 80 locations worldwide including bars, distilleries, and hotels.
Much of their financing is done through crowd sourcing, a program called “Equity for Punks.” Shares are offered periodically and the company offers special events and incentives for shareholders.
BrewDog: The Doghouse
The location in Canal Winchester is a distillery, restaurant and hotel all rolled into one. We didn’t stay in the hotel, called The Doghouse, but plan to review it at a later time. A quick look at the website tells us that rooms include an in-room tap and a shower beer fridge. If you or someone you love is a beer lover, this seems to be the hotel for them! It looks like they also have select dog-friendly rooms as well.
A Dog-Friendly Place to Dine
It was actually BrewDog’s dog friendly policy that brought us to their restaurant in Canal Winchester. It was a warm autumn day and we had with us our dog, Pumpkin. We took a seat on the outside patio.
The Food
Food was the typical restaurant/bar fare. My daughter’s fiance ordered the cauliflower wings, which I thought was an unusual choice. But they were surprisingly delicious. My husband and daughter each ordered burgers and she added on the loaded fries. They both had very good things to say about their choices and definitely would dine here again.
I chose a hot dog off the menu, mostly so I could share a few bites with Pumpkin. I was surprised that, in such a dog friendly location, they would not have a special menu section for dogs. While I didn’t expect gourmet fair, I thought they might have a small menu section to include a plain hot dog or burger. I made the suggestion to the waitress. I would love to see them add that in the future.
The Beer
The fiance enjoyed one of BrewDog’s IPAs. I believe he selected the ever famous Elvis Juice, one of their most popular selections. As I mentioned, I’m not a beer aficionado, so I have very little input here. I can tell you he seemed happy with the choice and I have heard a lot of buzz about BrewDog and specifically about the Elvis Juice in the local community.
BrewDog
Sitting on the patio was a nice experience. It was a very relaxed setting and the wait staff was attentive. I did take a quick trip into the restaurant proper to get a few pictures.
It was later in the evening on a weekday and with COVID limitations in place was fairly empty. I was impressed as there are large windows allowing full view of the brewing process. Additionally, there are games, nice seating for familes, and a large bar.
BrewDog: More than just a bar
I recommend a stop over at BrewDog if you’re in the central Ohio area. Canal Winchester is a short 20 minute drive from downtown Columbus.
If you have decided to bring your pup, they also have an on-site dog park. Additionally, keep an eye on their site for ongoing activities. They have several throughout the year including an impressive fireworks display on or around July 4.
If you’ve been to BrewDog or even stayed at the hotel, leave a comment and let us know about your experience. Looking for more great eats in Ohio? Check out the restaurant review section.
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