Written by: Joe Ludwig
Cincinnati has always been a beer city. We have 60+ craft breweries to choose from and that’s not even including the ones in Dayton, which isn’t that far away. I’m a really big fan and supporter of the Cincinnati Craft Beer scene but I realized that I’ve only been to half of the breweries. That’s why one of my goals this year is to get out and explore 12 local breweries in the Greater Cincinnati area that I haven’t been to before.
The seventh new brewery that we visited this year was Swine City Brewing in Fairfield, Ohio. The brewery first opened its doors in early 2018. I’ve always wanted to visit it because I’ve heard really good things about the beer. However, for whatever reason, I haven’t been before nor have I had the beer. I know, disgraceful! Caroline and I remedied this dreadful mistake a few weeks ago after our trip to Jungle Jim’s International Market with the kids and I’m happy to report that we had a fantastic time.
The Taproom
Swine City’s taproom is located at the corner of Symmes Road and Industry Drive, surrounded by industry (imagine that). It isn’t far from Jungle Jim’s Fairfield location or all of the amenities of downtown Hamilton. The building was clearly an industrial building in a previous life. I love breweries that occupy old buildings and repurpose them into taprooms. In my opinion, it gives the brewery character that newer buildings can’t compete with. Swine City Brewing certainly has character. The outside of the building is black with orange stripes, in celebration of a certain local NFL team. Swine City Brewing Co. is written in bold orange letters in case there is any doubt about where you are when you pull into the parking lot.
Inside the taproom, there is plenty of seating with booths along the right wall, picnic tables in the middle, and some smaller tables in the back. The bar takes up the back right-hand corner of the room. The beer fermenters sit along the back wall though they are mostly hidden by a shelf of merchandise. There are plenty of TVs throughout the taproom which I’m sure will play the sports game of the week (when we were there they were not on).
They have a huge outdoor area with a ton of seating, which would be the perfect place to hang out and drink a beer when the weather is nice. There isn’t a ton of cover so I imagine it wouldn’t be too pleasant during those hot Cincinnati summer days.
Food Options and Events
Swine City Brewing partners with Rock N Rolls Kitchen which serves an assortment of wraps, sandwiches, appetizers, deserts, and more. We ate dinner there with the kids and had Chicago-style hot dogs. The food was really tasty.
As far as events go, their schedule is typically jam-packed with live music, wrestling, trivia, comedy shows, and more. The best place to find out information on upcoming events is on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
The Beer
Swine City Brewing has something for everyone. They have over 20 varieties of adult beverages on tap, including hard seltzer, and hard cider.
If you want beer to go, they have a cooler full of select cans available to purchase. They will also fill up your howler or growler of your favorite draft beer. Finally, if you can’t make it to the taproom but still want their beer, they self-distribute to retail stores and bottle shops.
What We Drank
Joe
We Been Dancin Brown Ale
ABV: 6%
IBUs: 20
“With notes of caramel and honey this malt forward Brown Ale will have you dancin’”
On Another Plain Wheat Beer – American Pale Wheat
ABV: 6.2%
Caroline (Flight)
Situations Arise
Altbier
ABV: 5.6%
Milky Milky, Riiight!
Milk Stout
ABV: 5.9%
IBUs: 31
“Dark & decadent with slight roast and a hint of chocolate as it warms.”
If You Threw a Party
Golden Sour
ABV: 4.4%
“A golden sour that packs a punch!”
Shape of An L Farmhouse
Ale Saison
ABV: 9.1%
Good Enough for Me Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Amber
ABV: 5%
“Sure to make grandma jealous. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, bring this raisin soaked Amber together.”
To Go Beer (Cans)
Good Enough For Me Oatmeal Raisin
Cookie Amber
ABV: 5%
“Sure to make grandma jealous. Notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, bring this raisin soaked Amber together.”
Final Thoughts
Swine City Brewing is a must-visit for anyone who loves Cincinnati craft beer. Their outside space is a perfect place to hang out, especially as we start to enter the Fall season. On their website, they specifically say that they are “very kid friendly” and Caroline and I can vouch for that. They have games available to help entertain young children while parents stop by for an adult beverage. My daughter was particularly entranced by Simon, the short-term memory game where you have to remember the color patterns. Additionally, the outside property is surrounded by a fence so the kids can run around (supervised) outside safely.
I know I’ve said this in my previous blog posts but if you haven’t been to Swine City Brewing or if it’s been a while, stop what you are doing and go check them out. Their beer is fantastic and as I mentioned before, they have a jam-packed entertainment schedule.
If you see their beer on the shelf at your favorite retailer or bottle shop pick it up. You won’t regret it. (Their “Good Enough for Me Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Amber” is particularly delicious!).
For more information about Swine City Brewing, check out their website or you can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and, apparently, OnlyFans.
Other Brewery Adventures:
- Exploring Alexandria Brewing
- Exploring Wooden Cask Brewing
- Exploring Third Eye Brewing
- Exploring Rebel Mettle Brewery
- Exploring Humble Monk Brewing Co.
- Exploring Wiedemann’s Fine Beer and Taproom
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From the Blog
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The ninth new brewery we visited this year was Dead Low Brewing, a brewpub that sits along the Ohio River in California, Ohio, a place I didn’t even know existed. - Exploring HighGrain Brewing
The eighth new to us brewery that we visited this year was HighGrain Brewing Company. It first opened its doors in the summer of 2019 and operates as a brewpub in the former Silverton Memorial Municipal building in Silverton, Ohio. - Exploring Swine City Brewing
The seventh new brewery that we visited this year was Swine City Brewing in Fairfield, Ohio. The brewery first opened its doors in early 2018. - Lilly’s Third Birthday Party
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When you’re pregnant you get lots of unsolicited advice and warnings of what the next few months have in store. No one talks about the perils of school supply shopping… - Exploring Alexandria Brewing Company
The sixth new brewery that we visited this year was Alexandria Brewing Company in Alexandria, Kentucky, about 25 minutes south of downtown Cincinnati.
