In a can, a glass, a growler or a keg, Toledo loves its beer. Whether you want the best in Ohio craft beer or just want a delicious pitcher of beer no matter where it came from, get to know these artists who are slinging your suds. These brew lovers help you wet your whistle!
Maumee Bay Brewing Company
Michael Martin, Brewery Sales Manager
27 Broadway St.
419-243-1302
mbaybrew.com
11am-10pm, Mon-Thurs; 11am-12am, Fri-Sat; 11am-9pm, Sun
Why are you passionate about beer?
Craft beer is an art, and a fantastic way for brewers to show their creativity. The range of styles is amazing, you can always find something everybody likes, and I am passionate about it because I want to help people find their style of beer.
What’s your desert island six pack?
Blitzen – Maumee Bay Brewing Company
Bumbleberry – Fat Head’s Brewing Company
Saint Rita – Patron Saints Brewery
Blueberry Wheat – Jamesport Brewing Company
The Devil Wears Hoodies – Inside the Five Brewing
Beermuda Triangle – Maumee Bay Brewing Company
Why are Toledo beers so special?
Toledo Beers are special because it’s an up and coming craft beer destination. It’s hard to believe how many local breweries we have around the area, and that sense of surprise in how much quality beers there are is what makes them special.
How does your staff make your place unique and special?
The staff over at Maumee Bay Brewing Co. are very warm and welcoming. We want everybody to find their beer style they enjoy, and they go the extra mile to make sure there is something for everybody on tap!
What’s a great seasonal beer no one should miss?
Easily the Winter Warmer/Christmas Ale season. Every brewery has their own style of Christmas ale, and I would encourage everybody to try as many as they can. You never know what you’re going to find!
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
And ice cold New England IPA and a meat lover’s pizza.
60cc Brewing
Megan Perry, President/Brewer
2113 N Reynolds Rd.
60ccbrewing.com
4-10pm, Thursday and Friday; 3-10pm, Saturday
Why are you passionate about beer?
I truly enjoy creating different flavor profiles and combinations that make a beer phenomenal.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?I ask what type they usually gravitate towards, and try to fit the tap list to fit the customer.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Besides 60cc Brewing, I would say it is a toss up between Black Frog, Patron Saints, and Upside. All of these guys make good beers, and have been more than accommodating in helping us get up and running.
Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
Mike and I can not pallet sours. If we can not tell if it is a good beer or not, we will not put it out there. With that being said, if neither of us can pallet it, we won’t serve something if we can’t tell if it is good or not.
How does your staff make your place unique and special?
Our staff is family. You will definitely get the family feel when you come to 60cc Brewing. You will talk with one of the owners regardless of when you show up. It is important to us that the customer have access to the owners to ask questions.
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
Besides Iron Pimp or Smooth Ridin I would say Division Street by Upside; this is my favorite local beer.
Bar 145
Brandon Saba, Owner/Operator
5305 Monroe St.
419-593-0073
bar-145.com
4pm-1am, Mon-Thurs; 11:30am-2am, Fri & Sat; 11:30am-1am, Sun
What is your desert island six pack?
Sweetwater Mango Kush; Sweetwater Blue; Truly Fruit Punch; Blake’s El Chavo Habanero Cider; Inside the Five Sunshine Sky
What are your favorite local breweries?
I think Toledo has done an amazing job bringing local breweries to the area! We generally always feature as many locals as we can! You’ll always find Maumee Bay, Inside the Five, Earnest, Patron Saints as well as a few others in our draft rotations here.
How does your staff make your place unique & special?
The staff is everything here. Without our hard working staff, we would not be able to serve the delicious beer we stock, make the food you get to enjoy and have a good time here with family & friends. Each & every member of our team serves a different purpose & brings their own piece of energy & life to Bar 145. We’ve been extremely lucky & blessed to have met the members we have & work with them over the past 10 years!
What’s your favorite food & beer pairing?
To me, nothing is better than a burger & a beer. It doesn’t even matter what beer it is. Just the thought a nice cold beer & juicy burger makes me wonder why I’m still answering this question, haha!
The Heights/Brim House
Toledo Renaissance Downtown
John Onsa, Director of Food and Beverage
444 N Summit St.
419-244-2444
theheightstoledo.com, brimhousetoledo.com
Brim House: 4pm-9pm, Wed-Sat.
The Heights: 3pm-10pm, Mon-Fri; 10am-10pm, Sat; 10am-2pm Brunch, Sun.
Why are you passionate about beer?
I enjoy beer for two reasons. One, nothing tastes better after a hard day of work than drinking a cold pale ale. Two, I enjoy beer with friends. It’s a shared experience. We’re breaking bread together. The liquid kind.
What’s your desert island six pack?
I’m going with one Peroni, two Base Ale’s, one Yuengling’s Traditional (Philly kid here), one Cigar City jai Alia, and one Great Lakes Commodore Perry IPA. Saving the Commodore for last. I need that inspiration to get off the Island!
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?First, grab a seat at the bar and chat up your bartender. Sample through their drafts. Start with lighter beers and move to darker. Don’t over think it. The fun part is discovering different beers each visit. Make the experience last. Try not to over drink as well. It only leads to trouble and will sometimes create a negative connotation with drinking beer especially with craft beers.
What are your favorite local breweries?
Toledo has sneaky good breweries. I say sneaky because Toledo doesn’t get the press it deserves just yet in the Midwest. It’s coming very soon. The best is Earnest Brew Works, Inside the Five, Patron Saints, Maumee Bay, and the new kid Heavy.
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
Earnest Brew Works’ Crunchy Hippie. A Toledo staple.
What little-known brew should everyone be drinking?
Patron Saints. Love the name, the concept, and the beer.
What’s an unusual flavor for a beer that you think more people should try?
Saison. It’s a pale ale, carbonated with spice and fruit. An exciting and refreshing beer that gets the palate ready!
Is there a beer trend that you’re not into?
No, trends are good. They are part of business. They are the challenge for breweries and owners to figure out how to be successful and create new trends.
Why are Toledo beers so special?
Toledo Breweries bring entertainment, jobs, economy, and contribute to the local experience. Thank you to the men and women in this city that run them. We appreciate and support you.
What’s the fanciest beer you’ve ever tried? Was it worth the price?Not too fancy for me here. I’ve had the opportunity to sit and drink with some amazing brewers from all over the country. Drinking and talking about their passion for beer are the moments that I savor to be honest.
What can you tell about a person based on the beer that they order?
Lol, I try not to label people by what they’re drinking, but if you’re twisting my arm, let’s see what happens after the first round of beers.
How does your staff make your place unique and special?
Yes, the Heights has an amazing view, we don’t take that for granted but, our staff loves being there, and they make everyone feel welcome. We hire for hospitality hearts and we have some big hearts working above the Glass City.
What’s a great seasonal beer no one should miss?
Platform Brewery from Cleveland OH puts out some amazing seasonal beers. Check them out.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
You can’t beat a wood fired pizza at the Heights with a Platform Brewery’s Haze Jude!
Inside the Five
Jonny Whitehead, Assistant Brewer
5703 Main Street, Sylvania
567-408-7212
insidethefive.com
11am-10pm, Tues-Thurs; 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat; 10am-9pm, Sun
Why are you passionate about beer?
I am passionate about beer because of all of the different styles and flavors there are, and the process in which those different flavors come together.
What’s your desert island six pack?
It would have to go with “The Devil Wears Hoodies” from Inside The Five. The blend of juicy hop flavors and light, hazy body make it the perfect beer to kick back and enjoy any time of the year.
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?My best advice is to talk to someone who has some beer knowledge. There is nothing better than having someone who knows what they’re talking about, lead you in the right direction for a beer. I believe there is a beer for everyone, so go to your nearest brewery and talk to someone with that knowledge!
What are your favorite local breweries?
Inside The Five Brewing Co. and Earnest Brew Works, but I am a fan of all of our local breweries and there are some amazing beers from all of them!
What’s one local beer everyone should have in their fridge?
The Devil Wears Hoodies from Inside The Five Brewing Co.
What little-known brew should everyone be drinking?
Berried Treasure from Inside The Five Brewing Co.
What’s an unusual flavor for a beer that you think more people should try?
Peanut Butter & Jelly. If done right, this flavor combo with beer is a palate pleaser.
Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
Not really, I’m open to trying different things for the most part.
Why are Toledo beers so special?
I feel that Toledo has a special brand of brewers that really love what they do, and it shows. Quality in any product comes from people putting their heart and soul into creating that product. The craft beer circuit in Toledo is full of passionate people doing what they love and that is what makes the beer special.
What can you tell about a person based on the beer that they order?
You can tell a lot based on what type of beer someone orders. Their preferences in taste and style, and you can even tell some of their personality traits.
How does your staff make your place unique and special?
Our staff is a giant family. Everyone genuinely cares about each other and would do most anything for one another. We also like to give each other a hard time and do not hold back. The camaraderie is unmatched at Inside The Five and I am very lucky to be a part of the staff.
What’s a great seasonal beer no one should miss?
The Mashing Pumpkins! My favorite seasonal beer and during my favorite season: Fall! If you have not tried this beer, you are absolutely missing out.
What’s your favorite food and beer pairing?
Buffalo chicken wings with a light IPA. The contrasting flavors of the bold and brash chicken wings with the juicy, citrus hop flavors of the IPA complement each other so well that your taste buds will thank you after every bite and sip.
Joseph’s Beverage Center
David Joseph, Beer Manager
4129 Talmadge Rd.
419-841-3000
josephsbeveragecenter.com
9am-9pm, Mon-Sat; 10am-6pm, Sun
Why are you passionate about beer?
“Let’s grab a beer” is the easiest way to convince anyone to hang out. But in all seriousness, no good story started off with, “So I was having a couple salads…”
If I don’t know what kind of beer I want, how should I figure it out?Stop on in to Joseph’s and ask! We can help you find exactly what you’re looking for!
What are your favorite local breweries?
The places to go around town are Maumee Bay, Earnest Brew Works (they just opened a new location downtown!), 60CC Brewing and definitely check out our local meadery, Four Fires Meadery, in Maumee.
What little-known brew should everyone be drinking?
Smooj. If you didn’t know, now you know.
What’s an unusual flavor for a beer that you think more people should try?
The craft seltzers/ smoothie seltzers are really making it difficult for me to keep saying that I don’t enjoy seltzers. Try them out! Don’t let the word ‘seltzer’ scare you from trying something new.
Is there a beer trend that you’re really not into?
I’m not the biggest fan of the Alcoholic Kombuchas, but we carry everything so if that’s something you’re looking for, we have it!
Why are Toledo beers so special?
Because we Drink Better in Toledo.
Exceeding Expectations
Maumee Bay Brewing delivers delicious experiences
There’s something special about the atmosphere when you walk into Maumee Bay Brewing Company. It’s not just the historic Oliver House located downtown under the High Level Bridge. It’s the people. The friendly and passionate staff that serve you.
“When you walk in, you can tell that everyone’s excited to be at work,” explains Michael Martin, brewery sales manager for Maumee Bay. “Everyone’s usually in a great mood, they leave all their problems at the door. “From seeing our host to cashing out with your server, you’re not going to have a bad experience with anybody. The staff always tries to help each other behind the scenes to give the guests the best experience possible.”
“Our staff is very passionate about the products that we serve, as well,” adds general manager Danielle Perkins. “When you are really passionate about the products that you serve, it’s really easy to help people find something that they are going to love, too.”
Toledo’s original micro-brewery, Maumee Bay Brewing has been wowing local drinkers since it first opened in 1995, with an ever-rotating selection of popular staples and new, inventive offerings.
“We try to split our list in half. We usually have between 12 and 14 beers on tap, half of which are old favorites, like Glass Hopper, Buckeye, Total Eclipse. The other half are rotating, new brews that our brewers are having fun and being creative developing,” Perkins said.
No matter when you decide to stop in, the staff is confident that patrons will enjoy the tastes and feeling they find.
“I hope that when people come in here, they leave with more than they were expecting, with another selection of beers that they can’t wait to come back and try again, on their next visit,” Perkins said.
