The much anticipated sixth volume of the Columbus Ale Trail is preparing to launch in its new full-color format.
The passport program, which was launched in 2015 by Drink Up Columbus and others, encourages locals and tourists to explore the many diverse craft breweries in Central Ohio. Participants collect stamps in their Columbus Ale Trail books by making a purchase at partner breweries, unlocking limited edition prizes at various stamp thresholds.
The latest volume of the Columbus Ale Trail features 53* stops and will launch on January 1, 2021. Trailers will be able to pick up a free copy of the Volume 6 Columbus Ale Trail Book at any participating brewery — though due to the holiday, not all breweries may be open on that date, so check brewery websites for New Year hours if you’re eager to get started on day one.
The sixth volume will run an extended duration through April 30, 2022, to allow participants ample time to safely visit all breweries. Collecting stamps via carryout purchases is highly encouraged during the pandemic.
Prizes for Volume 6 include an Ale Trail patch that can be claimed with 4 stamps, and the limited edition screened art print pictured above, designed by Timothy Brennan and printed by Upright Press, will be earned when all 53 stamps are collected. Prizes can be claimed at The Ohio Taproom in Grandview or at the Experience Columbus Visitor Center at Easton Town Center.
New to Volume 6 of the Columbus Ale Trail are 1487 Brewery (Plain City), Crooked Can Brewing Company (Hilliard), Derive Brewing Company (Clintonville), Edison Brewing Company (Gahanna), Forbidden Root (Easton), Gemüt Biergarten (Olde Towne East), Rhetoric Brewing Company (Richwood), Saucy Brew Workx (Harrison West) and Spires Social (Polaris). Columbus Brewing Company (North Hilltop) and Taft’s Brewpourium (Franklinton) are also new to the volume, although these breweries are temporarily closed due to COVID.
Columbus Ale Trailers are encouraged to share their experiences using the hashtag #cbusaletrail, and can connect with the Columbus Ale Trail on Twitter and Instagram @CbusAleTrail.
Volume 6 Breweries:
Antiques on High OR Seventh Son Brewing
Barley’s Brewing Company
The Brew Brothers
BrewDog (Canal Winchester, Franklinton OR Short North)
Buckeye Lake Brewery
Bucks Brewing
Columbus Brewing Company*
Combustion Brewing & Taproom
Crooked Can Brewing Company
Dalton Union Winery & Brewery
DankHouse Brewing Company
Derive Brewing Company Craft Beer & Kitchen
Double Edge Brewing Co
Edison Brewing Company
Endeavor Brewing & Spirits
Forbidden Root
Galena Brewing Company
Gemüt Biergarten
Grove City Brewing Company
Hofbrauhaus Columbus
Homestead Beer Company
Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen
Ill Mannered Brewing Co
Knotty Pine Brewing
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Lineage Brewing
Nocterra Brewing Co
North High Brewing Co (Short North OR Dublin)
Nostalgia Brewing
Old Dog Ale House & Brewery
Olentangy River Brewing Company
Outerbelt Brewing
Parsons North Brewing Company
Platform Beer Co
Pretentious Barrel House
Random Precision Brewing Company
Restoration Brew Worx
Rhetoric Brewing Company
Rockmill Brewery (Lancaster OR Brewery District)
Saucy Brew Works
Sideswipe Brewing
Somewhere In Particular Brewing Company
Smokehouse Brewing Co
Spires Social Brewing Co
Staas Brewing Company
Tafts Brewpourium*
Temperance Row Brewing Company
Three Tigers Brewing Company
Trek Brewing Company
2 Tones Brewing Co
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
Zaftig Brewing Co (Worthington OR Italian Village)
*While there are 53 stops listed in the book, CBC & Taft’s are temporarily closed and will not be a required stamp for redemption until they re-open.
full disclosure: I am a co-founder of the Columbus Ale Trail, along with John Evans of The Ohio Taproom and Jared Friesner of Cliff Original, with support from Experience Columbus.
8 Comments on "New year, new beer: Columbus Ale Trail Volume 6 launching in January"
I did Columbus vol 5 and fully completed it. As many folks, i won’t fully complete vol 6, but will go to my favorites and try all the new ones over the next year. I am saddened there is no half way point prize like vol 5. It is kind of a disincentive if there is nothing to aim towards for people who won’t make it to all 53. I believe a half way prize should be added for completing 27/53. It at least motivates people who want to do more than 4 but not all 53, which i would imagine is a bulk of the people who participate in the ale trail.
I agree with this. Even something as simple as a Columbus Ale Trail bumper sticker could be a great way to get people out there.
Totally agree. 53 is insane, especially when they include ones that are way out in Marysville, Delaware, and now even Richwood. Those can be in the book, sure.. but they could be optional perhaps.
Here’s to 2021 and supporting local breweries! I for one will try to at least get carry out and stamp from all 50+ participants. Sacrifice comes in all shapes and sizes my friends. “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
This is pathetic. Why even bother?
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