All About MadTree Brewing Company

When MadTree opened its doors back in 2013 things were a little different in Cincinnati. Cincinnati beer was a thing – but the taproom? It certainly was not. It was midway through planning on their production-only brewery that the laws were changed here in Cincy and MadTree had to rethink things.

Their first taproom was an old warehouse (it used to belong to a pest control service). It wasn’t fancy, to say the least. Old doors made up tables, the brewhouse was right next to where you were sitting… it was loud sometimes, hot sometimes… it was a taproom that existed just out of pure necessity.

But one thing that set these guys apart almost immediately – they understood their customers. They knew what folks wanted, how they wanted it, and by golly – they gave it to them.

Their business exploded. They were the first craft brewery in Ohio to put their beer in cans, they hit store shelves and the city embraced them wholeheartedly.

Things were going so well for MadTree that by the time 2018 rolled around, they were in desperate need of new production space. They were working their old 15bbl brewhouse to the bone, around the clock, and to keep going they were going to have to get bigger.

Enter “MadTree 2.0” a massive production space and taproom in Oakley that kicked things up a few notches for them. They built a big facility that takes a lot of the aspects from the original taproom and brings it back… just better. It’s a hard balance to manage, and they’ve knocked it out of the park!

2022 is going to be another year of growth for them. With plans for their third taproom space – called the Alcove – they keep changing while only using the chance to solidify who they are, and why people are fans of them.

What’s MadTree Like?

The MadTree taproom is massive, while still being warm and inviting. They have plenty of beer on tap, and don’t limit themselves to their core styles, also keeping a rotating lineup of fun taproom exclusives to try as well.

The brewery has a massive beer garden (it’s the size of their entire first brewery and taproom) that is the perfect place to spend a summer evening with your friends and family enjoying a drink and a few games of corn hole.

The biggest thing that you can count on is that MadTree prides themselves on trying to create a space – and products – that allow as many folks as possible to have exactly what they want. Inclusive means a lot of different things for the brewery and it’s a great reason to call them your local spot.

Cincy Brewcast Episodes

The MadTree Timeline

January 2013 – MadTree opens for business.
March 28, 2013 – The brewery creates history by being the first craft brewery in Ohio to put their beer into cans when they packaged Psychopathy. (You can see tasting notes for their packaged releases here)
4/13/13 – The MadTree taproom opens for business.
August 2013 – The first in a series of quick expansions when the brewery brings their fermenting space from 90bbls to 210bbls, they also install a centrifuge.
November 2013 – 2 more 60bbl fermenters bring their capacity to 330bbls
April 2014 – In addition to the now obligatory new fermenter, the brewery installs a grain silo and wraps it with its iconic Psychopathy wrap. They also expand distribution into Columbus.
June 2014 – More fermenters are added, and the canning line gets some upgrades.
December 2014 – The brewery purchases the 17,000 square foot warehouse next door to house the overflow from their fast expansion.
February 2015 – MadTree builds a Catch-A-Fire pizza location inside their taproom, solving the food puzzle for their fans.
May 28, 2015 – First Bottle Release when they release Barrel-Aged Axis Mundi – the Trunk Series Begins.
January 2016 – MadTree 2.0 is officially announced to the public. The expansion will give them a “forever home” as they quickly outgrow their original space. (You can read the post from the announcement)
April 3, 2016 – MadTree releases their first sour beers with ‘Funk Day’
February 11, 2017 – MadTree 2.0 opens for business
January 2018 – The Brewery expands its distribution into Nashville, Tennessee.
December 2018 – MadTree introduces their first-ever cider, called 42 Mile Cider.
February 2019 – The brewery unveils its new branding
May, 2021 – They announce plans for their third location – called “The Alcove”
January 2022 – MadTree changes their distrubition partners in Ohio, signing with a new network including Stagnaro distribution.