Things in 2013 were so different than they are now. Not in a bad way, not in a good way – just really different. As MadTree rolls into its tenth anniversary, it’s really easy to look back on that time and reflect on how things have changed, and appreciate a few things about it all.

You have to remember, that when these folks opened their doors ten years ago, there wasn’t a roadmap for how to do things as a Cincinnati brewery that was able to be a production space and also have a taproom. I think that’s a big reason that if you look at MadTree’s peers that opened around the same time or earlier, they all have very distinct journeys, and now very unique personalities.

The Story So Far

I would usually tell you that it’s hard to believe that it’s really been ten years for this brewery – but as I’m sitting here reflecting on it all… it almost feels like it’s been a lot longer. In time so far MadTree has done a lot. Moving into their new 2.0 brewery in Oakley might have been the most noticeable thing, but they also launched their ‘Sway’ line of vodka cocktails, opened The Alcove down in OTR, and maybe more importantly joined 1% for the planet (amongst plenty of other milestones).

The brewery in its life has helped redefine what a local brewery looks and feels like. They laid a new path for new breweries that folks still look at today for inspiration – a feat that is not easy to accomplish. MadTree is the real deal, and one of the many, many reasons that we’re extremely lucky to be beer drinkers in this city.

Celebrating The Milestone

It’s not enough to shout about how you’re turning ten. MadTree as well as anyone else that the only real way to celebrate an anniversary is to throw a party with all your friends and fans. It’s a heartbreaker, though, that since 2020 and the chaos that the year brought with it the yearly anniversary parties (MadTree’s Bonanzas) haven’t been a thing, right?

You know where I’m going with this. The MadTree Bonanza is back – and it’s going to be better than ever. February 25th, 2023, the brewery is going to be absolutely hoppin’ as they show everyone what it means to be a brewery that redefined Cincinnati beer and continues to do so even ten years later.

They’re going to have brunch bingo, a cake-baking contest with Cincinnati Magazine, rare beers available from guest breweries, a DANCEFIX performance, live music, karaoke, and food trucks — you get the point here, right? This party is going to be “off-the-chain” as I think the kids like to say.

Respect Your Elders

I hope that if anything else, this anniversary and its accompanying party serve as a great chance for you to do like I have been, and spend some time reflecting over a pint. MadTree is something really special. New breweries have opened since, and of course, we know that there will be plenty more than continue to do so throughout the years – but few have had the impact MadTree had on the beer scene here in town.

I don’t know if I can hang all that on one particular thing. Sure – the laws changing right at that time played a big part in it, but there are so many other reasons that it worked the way it did. MadTree’s focus on its community might be a big part. The brewery’s move into partnering up with 1% for the planet to try to do more by giving back certainly plays a big role. Each thing that we can sit here and lay out becomes a little piece that makes up a big picture of why I’m so proud of them when I crack open one of their beers.

The point is of course that you should head to the MadTree Bonanza and help them celebrate on 2/25. Beyond that, though – just raise a pint to the brewery and what they stand for. This place deserves it… when we talk about what it means to ‘Be Gnarly’ – there aren’t a lot of places that personify it better than MadTree does.