COUSINO’S STEAKHOUSE
Your name: Cory Cousino
Your title: VP
Business name: Cousino’s Steakhouse
Address: 1842 Woodville Rd., Oregon
Phone number: 419-693-0862
Website: cousinosteaks.com
Hours of operation: 3-9pm, Sunday through Thursday; 3-10pm, Friday and Saturday
-Why are you passionate about beer?
I’ve always loved pairing different food with beers like wine and turning people onto new things.
–What’s your desert island six pack?
Jackie O’s Who cooks for you
–What are your favorite local breweries?
Ernest Brew Works, Wildside, Four Fires, Maumee Bay Brewing
–What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
Sincerity
–What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer
Chocolate Habenaro
–For Halloween: What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
LA FIN DU MONDE, the end of the world beer
HOME SLICE PIZZA
Your name: Michael Knight
Your title: Owner
Business name: Home Slice Pizza
Address: 28 S St. Clair Toledo, OH 43614
Phone number: 419-724-PIES
Website: homeslice419.com
Hours of operation: 11am-10pm, Sunday-Thursday; 11am-11pm, Friday & Saturday
-Why are you passionate about beer?
Beer comes in all shapes, sizes, and flavors and is one thing we can always have differently, but it’s always still beer and is always welcomed.
-If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
Ask! No matter where you go or what you’re into, there’s typically a flavor for everyone
-Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
During these uncertain times when staying at home is one of the most important things, going to the store and deciding what you want to drink at home is very important. The higher the IBU the beer is, the more bitter it tends to be. So if you’re into a hoppy, bitter beer then the higher IBU is something more your style.
-What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
Recently a two beer special called Surf and Turf. Surf was a sour ale made with shrimp, lobster, lemon, and sea salt. Turf was a stout made with molasses, sea salt, and beef jerky. Interesting flavors but definitely not my thing.
-For Halloween: What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
Definitely Nosferatu by Great Lakes Brewing Company or any beer with a blood orange flavor.
-What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Any cold, light draft and a big slice of pizza.
INSIDE THE FIVE BREWING COMPANY
Your name: Nick Chapko
Your title: Head Brewer
Business name: Inside the Five Brewing Company
Address: 5703 Main Street, Sylvania Ohio
Phone number: 567-408-7212
Website: insidethefivebrewing.com
Hours of operation: 11am-11pm, Monday through Thursday; 11am-12am, Friday and Saturday, 10am-10pm, Sunday
-What’s your desert island six pack?
I always like trying new things, so I’d have to go with six beers that I’ve never had before that sound good. Probably some type of stout, an IPA, and maybe a light sour to cut the desert heat.
-Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
I’m actually not a big fan of worrying about IBUs because it only tells half the story. I’ve had big Imperial stouts that have huge IBU numbers that don’t taste bitter at all because of all the sweetness from the malt.
-What are your favorite local breweries?
Inside the Five, of course! I’m also a big fan of Earnest Brew Works and Upside Brewing.
-What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
I tried an asparagus beer once. It was…interesting.
-Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
I never understood the popularity of hard seltzers. I promise not to judge anyone seen drinking one.
-What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
I’ve always really liked a stout of porter with smoked meat like a good brisket or pulled pork.
What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
Inside the Five’s ‘Blood Sun Sky’, a blood orange wheat.
JOSEPH’S BEVERAGE CENTER
Your name: David Joseph
Your title: Beer Manager
Business name: Joseph’s Beverage Center
Address: 4129 Talmadge Rd
Phone number: 419-841-3000
Website: josephsbeveragecenter.com
Hours of operation: *Covid Hours* 9am-8pm, Monday through Thursday; 9am-9pm, Friday and Saturday; 10am-6pm, Sunday
-Why are you passionate about beer?
Having a beer with friends six feet apart is just about the only thing left that hasn’t been cancelled this year. Even during the worst of times, it’s still a good time for a beer!
-If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
Stop on in and ask! Even if I don’t have what you’re looking for we can find something similar, so you don’t leave empty handed.
-Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
The IBUs only really matter anymore if you are looking for a hoppy beer. If that’s not what you’re looking for then there’s not really a need to confuse yourself with what has become a minor detail with the huge variety of styles of beers that are available nowadays.
-What are your favorite local breweries?
You should check out Earnest Brew Works, Maumee Bay and even the local meadery, Four Fires in Maumee!
-What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?Peanut Butter Porter from Earnest.
-What little-known brew should everyone be drinking?
White Claw
-What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
I had a Double IPA from Omnipollo (Super size Hilma) that was brewed with Vanilla, Crispy Fries and Burger Buns. It was good but really only tasted like Vanilla.
-Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
I could do without the Hard Kombuchas but we carry everything so we do have some if you’re looking.
-What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
Vanilla Bourbon County from 2018.
–What can you tell about a person based on the beer that they order?
You can tell a little bit about a person based on what beer they order but you can tell a lot about a person based on how they order that beer.
-For Halloween: What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
Not so much a beer but it’s an easy answer – Bloody Mary.
-What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Natural Light and Taco Bell. Go Bearcats!
MAUMEE BAY BREWING COMPANY
Your name: Paul Rohloff
Your title: Head Brewer
Business name: Maumee Bay Brewing Company
Address: 27 Broadway St., Toledo
Phone number: 419-243-1302
Website: mbaybrew.com
Hours of operation: 11am-10pm, daily
-Why are you passionate about beer?
I am passionate about craft beer specifically because it brings together people that might normally not share other interests. It is a culture of people looking for something unique and different.
-Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
Understanding your preference for bitterness will help you choose a good beer that you have not tried before. IBU is a good indicator that will help you make an informed decision.
-What are your favorite local breweries?
I am a big supporter of all local breweries, it is almost like an art community. Having many reputable breweries in Toledo makes us a destination for craft beer enthusiasts.
-What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?Of course, I have to be partial to Glasshopper.
-What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
The strangest flavor I have experienced in beer is leather, there are varying flavors of leather I have tasted in different beers. I have enjoyed it in many of them.
-What can you tell about a person based on the beer that they order?
You can get a good idea about how creative or adventurous someone is by the flavor profile they choose.
-What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
An unexpected delight is our Total Eclipse float made with our Total Eclipse Breakfast Stout and vanilla ice cream.
PREMIER POUR BARTENDING
Your name: Mackenzie Egbert
Your title: Badass Event Specialist
Address: 129 W Sophia St. STE 4, Maumee, OH 43537
Phone number: 419.740.0513
Website: www.premierpour.com
Hours of operation: We’re a mobile event services bartending company, so we’re available whenever you need us!
Why are you passionate about beer?
Beer brings people together— it gives us a chance to spend time with friends and family while enjoying a good drink and probably some quality food too. I also think beer is a whole lot like people, no two are the same and it keeps life interesting.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
Most times a safe bet is whatever is seasonal. If that’s not an option, take into consideration the alcohol content and what kind of beer it is, an IPA will be hoppy and bitter, while a cider will be sweet and tart.
Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
Definitely! If you don’t want a bitter brew, stay away from high IBU beers. Save these for the veteran IPA drinkers and grab something more mellow! Anything under 32 IBU should be safe for most beer drinkers.
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?Earnest does a great job at having something for everyone, so I guess I’d say something from them!
What are your favorite local breweries?
A top three, no order, would be Earnest Brew Works, Twin Oast Brewery, and Wild Side Brewing.
Why are Toledo beers so special?
Toledo is all about…well, Toledo. We keep it local, we support each other, and we love keeping the 419 quenched.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Easy, the classic pizza and beer, just doesn’t get any better.
Your name: John Groll
Your title: Owner
Business name: Pavlov’s Brewing Company
Address: 7548nLewis Ave., Temperance, MI
Phone number: 734-802-1410
Website: pavlovsbrew.com
Hours of operation: 3pm-10pm, Wednesday and Thursday; 3pm-11pm, Friday; Noon-11pm, Saturday; 1-6pm, Sunday
Why are you passionate about beer?
I love the smells of the malts in the mash when we are making it. The smell of hops when we add them to the wort during the boil. Then to be able to taste what we just created. Then watch others try that beer and see their reactions.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
If you are new to craft beer and are having trouble figuring it out, just ask for a small taste of the beer. Better yet try a flight you might just find a beer you really like.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Try them all, each one of them has their own unique take on beer. This is what it is all about.
What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
Trappistes Rochefort 10 Belgian Ale.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Pizza and an IPA to wash it down with.
Your name: Eric Sitter
Your title: Co-owner
Business name: Sidelines Sports Eatery and Pub
Address: Various locations in Toledo, Maumee, Norwalk and Lambertville
Phone number: 419-260-6610
Website: sidelinessportseatery.com
Hours of operation:11am-10pm, Monday through Wednesday; 11am-11pm, Thursday through Saturday; Noon-10pm, Sunday
Why are you passionate about beer?
I love that there is a flavor and taste for everyone.
What’s your desert island six pack?
Dolce’s from Great Rhythm Brewing Company, or Dos Equis with Lime.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
Ask your bartender. Have them explain the differences in taste, whether a beer is citrus, sweet, bold.
Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
Yes. That determines the level of bitterness.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Maumee Bay Brewing Company, as well as Atwater Brewery in Detroit.
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?Grasshopper from Maumee Bay Brewing Company.
What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
I tried hemp beer. No, I didn’t like it.
What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
Guinness.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Pizza and beer.
Your name: Alex Drozdowicz
Your title: Founder/Brewmaster
Business name: Quenched & Tempered
Address: 1210 Jackson St. Toledo, Ohio 43604
Phone number: TBA
Website: quenchedandtempered.com
Hours of operation: TBA
Why are you passionate about beer?
To answer this question, I need to zoom out from beer so to speak, and tell you that I am really passionate about raw processes. Whether it is brewing, blacksmithing, soap making, or cooking, I love working directly with natural things, immersing myself fully in the raw science of the act of creation. Beer comes from 4 basic elements (water, grain, yeast, hops), and each of those elements is its own world of science and art, where small changes make a profound difference in the resulting beverage.
What’s your desert island six pack?
Well a desert island implies tropics, so I suppose this question could also be, What’s your favorite summer beer?, and the seasons and resulting weather strongly influence my cravings. Assuming I am building my own six pack here, I’ll say Hell or High Watermelon by 21st Amendment, my own Rosebud Berliner weisse, my own Fahrenheit 419 pale ale, Doom and Bloom by Hawkes Cidery, Saison du Pont, Hugh by Rhinegeist.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
This is a great passion of mine. I truly believe there is a beer style to suit every palate, and I love helping people find the kinds they will like. I’ve known several people who thought they didn’t like beer, and their friends kept pushing the lighter and fruitier beers on them, thinking those are the easier drinkers. And those people then discover their love of beer when they try their first stout or brown ale. If you love sweet beverages, go for the fruity ales. But if you’re a person who loves roasty warmth like chocolate and caramel, then you need a stout or brown ale. If you love tart flavors, like pickles and yogurt (though probably not together), try a sour ale. Do you love comfort food and biscuits? Try a Hefeweizen or a Belgian blonde. A great place to start is by talking about people’s favorite foods and finding a good pairing.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Wild Side, Funky Turtle, and Black Frog. These are my friends, my community, my support in the industry. They are great people, and they are passionate about creating a community of local excellence both in business practices and in brewing really good beer.
What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
Cracklins and no… so viscous.
Why are Toledo beers so special?
Historically, beer spent thousands of years being an in-house thing that reflected the personality and nature of the people who brewed it. There is no Toledo-style beer. What is special about Toledo beer is that it is personal. It reflects the character of the brewers in our community. It is in essence, a cultural revolution, restoring the personalized creativity that has been slipping away bit by bit since the industrialization of our society.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Any authentically smoked food with a brown ale
Your name: Brandon Saba
Your title: Owner
Business name: Bar 145
Address: 5305 Monroe Street, Toledo Ohio 43623
Phone number: 419-593-0073
Website: bar-145.com
Hours of operation: (Temporary Hours) 4-10pm, Monday through Thursday; 11:30am-10pm, Friday through Sunday
What’s your desert island six pack?
El Chavo Habanero Mango Cider.
Should I pay attention to the IBU of a beer?
The IBU Is very important. Especially if you are not generally used to drinking Craft Beer
What are your favorite local breweries?
Maumee Bay, Inside The Five, Earnest, Patron Saints Brewery
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
Depending how local you want to keep it, (outside of the locals mentioned above) Columbus Brewing Co. IPA is a well rounded IPA
Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
The Seltzer trend. I know it’s probably here to stay but I just haven’t found one I’ve enjoyed.
What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
I don’t know if I’d call it fancy but I do have some Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Everybody seems to love it regardless of what time of year.
Your name: Skip Walker
Your title: Owner and Beer Lover
Business name: Local Thyme
Address: 6719 Providence Street Whitehouse, Ohio 43571
Phone number: 567-246-5014
Website: www.LocalThyme.Pub
Hours of operation: Covid Hours: 11am-10pm daily
Why are you passionate about beer?
Yum,
What’s your desert island six pack?
Dog Fish SeaQuench Ale. This beer has everything you can want on the Island. It’s totally refreshing while I work the day away building my treehouse, fishing and playing with the monkeys. It would pair wonderfully with my toasted coconut and citrus ceviche as it has lime and black lime flavors, almost margarita-ish, with a hint of salt on your tongue. It will be great as a relaxation beer as I swing in the hammock or enjoy it kicked back around the bonfire at night. Sweet, clean and quenching. Not to mention, it’s just over a hundred or so calories, for all that flavor. I will still look fabulous when I appear on the cover of Toledo City Paper when I am rescued.
If I do not know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?
Fortunately for you we have highly skilled bartenders that will help your decision making. We also are a member of “Beer Menus”. Simply download the app and search for “Local Thyme Whitehouse Ohio”. There you can browse over 85 domestic, craft and imports, with full descriptions, ratings and ABVs. But we love talking about beer, so we will probably start with asking “What do you normally drink?” There we can navigate you through our draft selections. We just added another new 8 tap cooler to our lineup. We typically always carry a Dark, Lager, Seasonal, IPA’s and we have introduced the “Local Tap” where we hope to always have a delicious Local Beer on tap.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Where do I start? NWO is so very fortunate to have some awesome craft brewers, wineries and local distilleries in our own backyard. Anyone who enjoys a cocktail should make a list of all that NWO has to offer. They make fun trips and during the age of Covid, they all can use our support. Because we LOVE TCP, we are letting your readers on a little insider tip. Local Thyme and Maumee Bay Brewing are producing a special “Local Thyme” beer that will be released during a special beer tapping party on October 23rd. Mark your calendars. This is going to be an awesome event for friends and family.
What are the strangest flavors you’ve ever experienced in a beer? Did you like it?
Urban Artifact Spicy Pickle, a fruited Gose. Who doesn’t like Pickle Beer?…. Ok, maybe our bartender Megan… hahha. But, there was something to it that made you go back for more. We have a couple incredible patrons that come in for pickle backs….. They may be onto something. Sometimes it’s ok to get out of your comfort zone and try a little something different.
What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
Fanciest…hmmmm… Founder’s KBS Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout and Genesee Cream Ale. Why? At Local Thyme, our bar is an extension of our own home kitchen tables. Unfortunately, we can’t fit everyone in our kitchen. The friends, family and love that is shared around those tables are the reason the beers and food that we serve are fancy. The Founder’s KBS will always be there as a reminder of Matt Rassenfoss, a true connoisseur of all things beer. He was my go-to call for hopheads, sour mashers, meads, the makings, methods and drinkability – he knew it all. The Genesee Cream Ale was the only beer in my Dad’s refrigerator. Even if beer isn’t to your liking, beer brings people together and the conversations around a couple of cold Genesee Cream Ales will always be fond cherished memories. I continue to bring them to his burial plot and share one with him. Beer is more than a beverage. Beer is love.
For Halloween: What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
I was chatting with him in Panama City Florida, he absolutely loves Blood Orange.
Predict what kind of beer people will be drinking one month from now, one year from now, and one decade from now?
In one month, sours and meads will be going strong and they will add a nice contrast to some of the pumpkin and holiday Christmas ales. Within the year, I think you are going to see a strong resurgence of pilsners and lagers. Brewers are getting back to not just adding flavors to beer, they are using some incredible organic ingredients, filtering and purifying brewing methods. One decade from now, stouts and porters will make their return. Everything will come full circle. To enjoy a pint of Guinness in Dublin Ireland is what every beer drinker will want to recreate. Since 1759, beer only gets better with Thyme.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Local Thyme has one of the very best (in our biased opinion, the best) smoked reubens around. We use only the very best brisket of corned beef. Then we smoke, low and slow until it is fall apart tender, juicy and packed with smokey goodness. Try it with an Earnest Batch 52 Imperial Irish Red Ale.
Your name: George Bardwell
Your title: Co-Owner with brother Tony Bardwell
Business name: Whiskey and the Wolf
Address: 3515 W. Alexis Rd.
Phone number: 419-690-4280
Website: whiskeyandthewolf.com
Hours of operation: 3-10pm, Monday; 11:30am-10pm, Tuesday through Saturday
What’s your desert island six pack?
It’s uneventful, but a nice cold Stella is wonderful.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Maumee Bay and Earnest Brew Works.
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
Crunchy Hippie. Earnest Brewing Company makes that, it’s delicious.
Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
Sours. They don’t do much for me.
Why are Toledo beers so special?
They’re made locally, man.
What’s the fanciest beer in your fridge right now?
Guinness.
For Halloween: What kind of beer do you think Dracula would drink?
Guinness. It’s good, it travels well.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Pizza and a Guinness.
