New brewery open in Lithopolis: Eldridge & Fiske

A former CBC brewmaster is manning production at a brand new brewery in Lithopolis.

Dave Eldridge, Columbus Brewing Company’s brewmaster from 1994 to 2005, and Tim Fiske are the owners of Eldridge & Fiske, which celebrated its grand opening on May 11 in the quaint downtown of Lithopolis. (If you don’t know where Lithopolis is, here’s the explanation in local beer geek speak: it’s roughly halfway between BrewDog and Rockmill.)

“Things have changes dramatically since 2005,” said Eldridge. “At that time, Columbus wasn’t big enough for Columbus Brewing Company, Hoster’s and [another brewery], but now that craft is back I knew I had to get back into it.”

The brewery is located in an old hardware store from the 1800s. Fiske, who has worked as a carpenter for the past several decades, handled most of the taproom renovations.

Eldridge & Fiske has a five barrel brewing system with three fermenters, enough to service their taproom and not much beyond. Currently on tap are an unifiltered IPA, juicy pale ale, nitro stout, hefeweizen, wee heavy ale, Vienna lager, honey Belgian, Bavarian IPA, English mild ale, raspberry pomegranate, a 16% whiskey brown ale, and Uncle Charlie American lager, named for the person who gave Eldridge and Fiske their first sip of beer.

“We cast a wide net with the lineup that we have,” said Eldridge. “I want to learn what people enjoy and want to drink here and make sure that’s always on tap.”

In addition to their own beer, their draft lines are pouring three wines and three kegged cocktails created by Simple Times Mixers.

Eldridge & Fiske is open Monday-Thursday from 4pm-midnight, Friday 4pm-1am, Saturday 2pm-1am, Sunday 2pm-1opm. The brewery is located at 9 East Columbus Street in Lithopolis.