This isn’t going to be a dig at West Sixth. I like the brewery. I’ve visited the taproom in Lexington, I’ve had some wonderful afternoons there, and I’ve enjoyed their beers countless times. I welcome a place like that here in Cincinnati (or in Newport as the case may be). I also am not a huge fan of the deceptive, fake brewery taproom thing that is happening in craft beer currently. I’ll get to why I don’t think West Sixth falls into that in just a minute…

Since the brewery just opened up their taproom at Newport on the Levee’s Box Park last week, I figured it was about time that I take a little dive into things. Let’s start with the brewery itself.

A Quick, and Abbreviated History of West Sixth Brewing

West Sixth opened up their doors in 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky. Their brewery and taproom were (and still are) located in a building that they call “the Bread Box” because it was an old bread factory. They started cranking out fantastic beer, and the small world around them certainly took notice.

In 2016, the brewery opened up “The Green Room” – which is a taproom and small nano-brewery in downtown Lexington… think of it as a bit of of pilot system that has a nice sized taproom attached to it. The space is in a great location and draws attention to the brand amongst the hustle and bustle in town.

In 2017 the brewery bought a farm in Frankfort to begin sourcing a lot of their own ingredients. After a lot of time, and work on the farm it opened up to the public with a small seasonal taproom, walking trails and other outdoor activities in 2019.

In September of 2020, the brewery opened up a long awaited location in Louisville that they lovingly call their NuLu taproom. This space is 120 years old, more than 9,000 square feet and serves as a brewery, and then also a barrel-aging facility for the brand. The new location was a $2 Million dollar investment – and is a fantastic addition to Louisville’s beer scene.

That brings us to Newport. Last week, they opened up a tiny little taproom in a shipping container.

Why I Don’t Think That This Is The Same As A Fake Taproom

I can certainly be quoted as saying from time to time that I’m not the biggest fan of taprooms that open up in new cities, don’t make a drop of beer, but then like to tell people that they are a brewery. We’ve got a couple of them here in town… and while I might not have any issue with the breweries themselves – it doesn’t make me feel right.

This is different.

It’s pretty obvious when you walk up to the “taproom” that they aren’t brewing any beer here… it’s a shipping container. I think that for me, that openness is what’s important. If you walked into one of these “faux-taprooms” and it was obvious that they didn’t, and had no desire to brew up beer on location – It wouldn’t bother me as much.

West Sixth’s box park location is different, and for that… my ears perk up a little bit. It doesn’t help my attention that there are some rumors out there. The rumors are swirling around that this might not be a permanent idea.

What’s The Future For West Sixth Cincinnati?

When I talk about Cincinnati, here – we’re talking Newport. I have nothing to back this up, and I don’t typically share stuff that isn’t actually true. That should tell you how much I not only think that this has legs, but how much I’d like for it to. Folks have been saying that we might see a permanent West Sixth brewpub here in town… and I’m all about that idea.

I love taprooms. I love production spaces. But a well done brewpub is something that taps into another place in my soul. West Sixth has proven themselves with their current spaces that they know what they are doing. They wouldn’t half-ass a new location in town, they’d respect the beer scene and do it the right way.

So, if this rumor happens to be true – sign me the heck up as soon as possible.

Visiting The Box Park

In the meantime – get down and check out the West Sixth Box Park taproom – it’s right in the newly renovated Newport on the Levy. You can hit up Wooden Cask’s new location while you’re down there, and see all the stuff that they’ve done to renovate and remodel the area. It’s pretty freaking sweet.

The taproom is open Monday-Thursday 4-9pm, Friday and Saturday noon-midnight and on Sundays noon-9pm.