Moerlein’s history here in Cincy is pretty storied… they’ve been around for more than a hundred years – kind of. The real history of what we know as Christian Moerlein today started back in 2004. That was when Greg Hardman bought the brands from an out of town group and began the long process to bring it all back home to Cincinnati.

There has been a lot that has happened since then, though. The industry has changed, this city has changed – and Moerlein as a brand has changed, too. While Greg Hardman is no longer involved with the day to day work at Christian Moerlein – the story of who they are, and who they hope to be definitely continues on.

2020 And Closing Down Production

It’s easy to blame 2020, Covid, and the world it created when it comes to the closing of Moerlein’s OTR production brewery – but truth be told, things were in rough shape. The brand has always struggled not only with its identity, but also with getting people to come to that taproom for some reason.

It’s a beautiful taproom, no doubt, but it’s also dark, off the beaten path and just hasn’t ever really resonated with craft beer drinkers. It was closing regardless of Covid, I think.

The Lager House still stands at the Banks as a “home” for Moerlein – a place that you can go grab a Moerlein beer and some incredible food. While Moerlein took a major hit when they had to close down the OTR space, if you’re a Moerlein fan, there’s still a place for you to go.

The Rebrand

Over the years, Christian Moerlein has struggled from time to time. It’s hard finding that balance between the history that they love, and the modern world of craft beer that they’re in the middle of.

It became pretty clear when they were undergoing so many changes – one big one was needed. They had to wipe the slate clean. The branding, the beer lineup… it all had to change.

The brewery’s ownership scrapped it all (though some of your old favorites will show up from time to time at the lager house) and brought five new brands front and center to form the lineup of the new Moerlein.

Along with the new liquid comes with a new look to the cans themselves. They’ve leaned into the history of Christian Moerlein himself, and his job as a blacksmith that he had before brewing beer. Each of the names pay homage to that history somehow — and the beers? Well… let’s talk about them.

The Beers

I sat down with Moerlein’s CEO, Jay Woffington to dive into these new beers the other evening. Jay was extremely gracious with his time (we had a great conversation about Moerlein, and also paid for my beers… which I’ll always mark as a great way to spend an evening) – and honestly? I’m excited to see folks who maybe haven’t been drinking Moerlein in the past try ’em. There’s definitely something here you’ll enjoy.

Some of these are year-round – some will be part of a big seasonal rotation… but they’re all great (at least the ones I’ve tried). I’ll break them all down for you – hitting shelves now you’ll find:

  • Groove – Hazy IPA
    • “Groove is hoppy but not bitter. It’s easy like Sunday morning. This yellow hazy IPA uses fruit-forward hop varieties that add a burst of tropical fruit notes with just enough bitterness”
    • This is the one that I didn’t get a chance to try, yet.
  • Smithy – Helles Lager
    • “Smithy is a golden lager with a soft malty flavor and a round, dry finish. Poured with a creamy white head.”
    • I loved this one – but you know I’m a lager nut. It’s a really nice, malty and earthy lager. Refreshing but still has enough flavor packed into it to keep you interested through the whole beer.
  • Rivet – West Coast IPA
    • “Rivet is a dank, golden, West Coast IPA. Full of intense hop aroma plus citrus, floral, and pine scents. There is a slight malt sweetness to give it backbone and to balance the bitterness”
    • IPAs have never really been what I get excited about as a beer drinker – but you have to have one, and there’s a lot that you can do with them. Rivet is bold, citrusy, floral and really, really tasty.
  • Bronzer – Brown Ale
    • “Bronzer is a classic German brown ale, light amber to deep copper in appearance. Slightly fruity like an ale, but crisp and clean like a lager. The best of both worlds!”
    • Easily my favorite out of all the new beers, Bronzer is a German Altbier, rich and smooth – packed full of malty goodness. Really nicely done!
  • Twist – Pale Ale
    • “Twist is a European and American hybrid pale ale. This golden-orange ale has some hop bitterness plus earthy floral notes to balance it out.”
    • I was blown away by how tasty this was. I was expecting something a lot maltier than it came out to be. It’s light, refreshing, and citrusy right up top – followed up by a nice balanced earthiness. Really, really delicous!

Let’s Summarize This…

I’ll put it right out there. Do I like that Moerlein closed OTR? Not at all. Am I happy that they are contract brewing these beers? Of course not. I wish the production space was able to exist, though I 100% understand why it can’t right now.

I have hope that one day we’ll see a Moerlein taproom again. I don’t know what that would look like, or what I’d want it to look like… but that’s my feelings.

This band is awesome. It’s unique, It’s special – and it deserves to be part of Cincinnati craft beer in 2021 and well beyond. Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, try the beers – and let me know what you think.

This is a new era, a new chapter in a very long story – and I’m thrilled to see where it all goes.

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