This is a guest post from James Marks. James is a beer connoisseur (not a snob) who loves to spend his time drinking beer, talking about beer, and imbibing with anyone in Columbus! You can follow him on Twitter @beergarcon.
When moving back to Ohio from Colorado, I never expected to find as strong craft beer community like I find today in Columbus. But over time, the craft beer scene has grown tremendously in Ohio’s capital city due to the emergence of amazing craft beer bars, willing consumers who will shell out a little extra money for quality hand crafted beers, as well as the expansion, growth, and experimentation of craft breweries in Central Ohio.
One local brewery, Columbus Brewing Company, has been a huge part of the craft beer resurgence in Columbus. Last year, CBC took a vast risk by expanding its boundaries from their year round beers by releasing their Hop Odyssey Series. “The Hop Odyssey series started as a format for us to not only showcase the different ways in which hops can be featured, but it also gave us the chance to brew a new, small batch beer each month. We can experiment and brew styles that we have not normally had the opportunity to brew in the past,” explained Tony Corder, Brewery Representative at Columbus Brewing Company.
Last year’s Hop Odyssey was such a success; the mission has been extended into 2011. “We have some fan favorites making their return this year, as well as some new exciting beers that we’re adding to the mix. Uncle Rusty (an Imperial Red and a favorite of last years series), Bodhi (a Double IPA), Grasshoppa (a well hopped xtra pale ale), and our collaboration (style TBD) that we’re brewing alongside the guys from Fat Head’s Brewery in North Olmsted, OH are all beers that we’re excited to release in this years series,” Corder stated.
When asked if any changes were made from selections used in last years series to this years batches, Corder illuminated, “changes we would make would be very subtle, and only made because we feel it would improve the final product. Examples of these small changes could include fermentation temperatures; hop varieties used, and different dry hopping choices. We wouldn’t want to mess to much with a good thing.”
You will be able to find this years new Hop Odyssey beer the first week (most of which will take place on a Thursday) of each month, as Columbus Brewing Company will host a release party at a different draft location (which will be released either on their website, twitter or facebook account) in and around Columbus. Each release will feature not only a draft version of that months Hop Odyssey beer, but as well a dry hopped cask of each new release. The brewery staff will always be in attendance at each release party to not only answer any questions patrons may have about the beer or brewery, but to imbibe with craft beer drinkers as well!
In addition to continuing the Hop Odyssey series, Columbus Brewing Company is expecting some big things in 2011. CBC is preparing for the arrival of some additional fermentation vessels and conditioning tanks, which will be installed in the coming weeks. Their goal is to better fulfill the demand for Columbus Brewing’s products locally, have the chance to introduce new products, as well as eventually expand their distribution area. Needless to say, it’s an exciting time for CBC and we’re looking forward to where this growth could take them.
