All About The Christian Moerlein Brewing Company

All About Christian Moerlein

Christian Moerlein is a celebration of both the German history of Cincinnati as well as the modern craft beer movement that has consumed the city. They pay homage to each part of their personality as much as they can, with some really good traditional lagers alongside some of the “trendiest” things that you’ll find today.

Moerlein is Cincinnati… they may not be the most “popular or hip” brewery in town, but they have a crucial part of what this city is… especially our beer scene.

What’s Christian Moerlein Like?

To talk about the Modern Christian Moerlein is to talk about two very distinct experiences. The brewery has a production facility in Over the Rhine, called the Malt House, as well as a Brewpub at the Banks, called the Lager House.

The Moerlein Lager House is a beautiful restaurant, with one of the best menus in the city (in my opinion). They brew their beer on-site, and you’ll find some fun things on tap here that you can’t find anywhere else, along with some killer guest taps too!

The Malt House is a traditional taproom, done in a very Moerlein way. They are located in a historic brewery, and the space drips with history. Big stone arches are all around the room, and there are big community tables for you to share with fellow drinkers. A pool table, darts, giant Jenga, etc make the space perfect for hanging out with friends. This taproom is a hidden gem in the Queen City!

Cincy Brewcast Episodes

The Christian Moerlein Timeline

1999 – All of the historical Cincinnati brands were sold off to out of state owners. Hudepohl/Schoenling effectively died, along with Moerlein.
2004 – The brands are purchased by local resident Greg Hardman with a plan to bring it all back to Cincinnati. They start contract brewing to start the plan.
2012 – The company returns with the opening of both the Lager House on the new Banks development and the massive production brewery in OTR, housed in the historic Kauffman Brewing Company, which closed in 1919.
2013 – All of Moerlein’s production was moved back to Cincinnati (you can read about their packaged beer here)
2015 – Moerlein announces a major expansion, which tripled its capacity. They also introduce Hudy Pure Lager, brewed in Cincinnati.
2016 – The brewery introduces 15 can packs of their core beers.
April 2016 – Iconic ‘Little Kings’ is returned to being brewed at home in Cincinnati.
2017 – Moerlein goes back to their roots in Germany with a collaboration with Maisel and Friends, a brewery located just miles away from the home of Christian Moerlein himself.
1/2020 – The brewery brings on several new co-owners to join the leadership team and bring Moerlein into the next era of their story (read more here)