This is a guest post by George Adams. Current Student at The Ohio State University. From the great state of North Carolina. George enjoys a good craft beer and homebrewing. Great Minds Drink Alike.
Photo credit: universitydistrict.og
Hidden among $5 Natty pitchers and $1 bombs surrounding The Ohio State University, there are a handful of bars that support the growing craft beer community. So how do you know which bars in the University District support the craft beer industry and leave the crap beer for the crap bars? Because I’m going to tell you through a Campus Craft Beer crawl. First Stop: Mad Mex.
Located in the South Campus Gateway, Mad Mex is a unique offering to the college scene. As a student who’s been there many times, Mad Mex has had its ups and downs, and lately, it’s been up and continues to get better. Most importantly to note is that Mad Mex is primarily a restaurant. Now before you say “I thought this was a BAR CRAWL,” Mad Mex has a bar. Yeah, and so does Applebees. So why does this restaurant appear first on the Campus Craft Beer Crawl? And isn’t this a chain?
Mad Mex is a chain of four locations based out of Pennsylvania and its only location outside of PA is in Columbus, walking distance from campus at 10th and High St. And the bar question? Easy. 30 Taps. 30+ Bottles. Big Azz Margaritas. 40 Tequilas. One of the best late night happy hours in the city. So yes. This is the first stop of our crawl.
Mad Mex has three different happy hours: One for students from 2-4p Monday through Thursday. One for everyone from 4-7p weekdays, and the late night happy hour from 10pm to midnight every night. Yes, EVERY NIGHT! Who doesn’t want to start a crawl with a 22oz draft for the pint price on Sunday? The afternoon happy hour is just as awesome with half off all drafts. So what do they have to drink? Do you like a draft list that changes often? Mad Mex offers six taps devoted just to Great Lakes Brewing Company, a couple domestic taps hopefully for those who’ve had enough craft beer (yeah right), and taps for seasonal releases. Biggest surprise still on tap was Bells Hopslam after every other bar had been out a month sooner. Win! Founders Breakfast Stout as well. Double Win! They continue to rotate each brewery handle keeping a good selection of premium drafts as well as flagship beers available for other breweries. Currently on their updated online tap list, Columbus Brewing Company’s Uncle Rusty is on tap, participating in CBC’s Hop Odyssey Series.
Also during the late night happy hour, Mad Mex offers half-off food (excluding fajitas, chimis, tacos, and desserts.) Burritos and Enchiladas are delicious. Add Guac. If you’re a vegetarian, Mad Mex has a variety of options for you as well. Also on Mondays, $5 all-you-can-eat burritos and $5 Big Azz Margaritas from 4-10p. And if you’re there at that point you might as well stick around for late night happy hour!
Hit up Mad Mex during the afternoon or for a late-night evening, and enjoy everything they offer for less. Mad Mex is THE place for a craft beer close to campus and good food to compliment. I can’t wait til it’s warm outside and the patio doors are open again.
Next stop on the crawl: 4th Street Bar & Grill
