Prior to my ever visiting Athens, Ohio, folks would always tell me I need to check out Jackie O's.



We're not just talking OU alums; we're talking everyone who has ever spent any time in Athens recommends Jackie O's. 



And for good reason.



Jackie O's brews their own beer - and lots of it. They have 50 available at all times, and they span from IPAs to sours and all styles inbetween.



"Jackie O’s owner, Andrew Arthur Oestrike, known by most as Art, went to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio as an undergraduate and again as a graduate student after teaching English overseas in South Korea.
In 2005, Art purchased O’Hooley’s. Shortly before this new venture, his mother, Jackie Oestrike, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Jackie passed away in June of 2006, but not before her son let her know he had plans to change the name “O’Hooley’s” to “Jackie O’s” in her honor. Her reaction was a classic motherly reaction, “a bar?!” Art’s reply, “it's going to be so much more than a f*@%ing bar, mom!” has been what continues to inspire and grow the business to this day. " In January of 2007, the name of O’Hooley’s officially changed to Jackie O’s Brewpub. The original Brewpub became a pillar of the Athens community by focusing on locally inspired and produced products. At Jackie O’s inception, the decision was made to brew specific beer that would only be available in Athens, create barrel-aging and sour programs, and commit to using locally sourced products whenever possible."



We dined outside, and I ordered a sour beer, which I remember enjoying but do not remember which one specifically. 



We also ordered a pizza with red marinara sauce, provolone, a balsamic glaze - rich, fatty, delicious.



They often have specials and new beers, so I want to go back soon to check out some new drinks and food.



Because from my experience, what they have to offer is great.



What's your favorite order here?



Grade: A

Big Sandy Brewing Co. is a small brewpub in Bruceton Mills that I was just able to visit fairly recently. 



The local beer blog, Brilliant Stream, reported that they may be pausing brewing their own beer and instead shifting focus to a craft beer pub.



So, I am really thankful I was able to check out some of their own beers before the hiatus.



They had 8 taps, with one as a lemonade and one as a rootbeer when I visited. The remainder were the Big Sandy Brown Ale, the Semi-Serious IPA, the Tegerty Session IPA, the Pear-A-Lell Brew-Naverse, and the Pineapple Milkshake IPA, and a traditional lager. 



The pear beer won me over with its silly name and fun flavors. It was just a little sweet but refreshing. So good. That lemonade? Also so good. They also have a small food menu with some hoagies and fried apps. 



Apparently they sometimes have food trucks too, and live music. Have you checked out this brewpub?

Cacapon Mountain Brewing is one of the newest breweries in the state - and I might say, it's also one of the most beautiful.



Located in Berkeley Springs, this space has sky-high ceilings, tabletops, metal accents and lovely greenery all throughout. It is clean, modern, yet cozy. 



When I went, it was not too busy - but that's also because we're in the middle of a pandemic. I put in an order for pork carnitas, which were garnished with white onion, cilantro, a lime wedge and came with a side of green or red salsa. These were more in a traditional vein and were tasty. I prefer mine with a heavy spritz of the lime.



Their tap list includes a helles, dry Irish stout, session IPA, hazy pale ale, Czech pilsner, Belgian pale ale and English pub ale. I went home with a growler of the Poor Tom - English Pub Ale - Brewed with Golden Promise malt and Goldings, Fuggle and Celeia hops for a light yet deeply malty ale with earthy and fruity notes from the hops and yeast. This was good - light and more malty than hoppy (which is my preference). 



Have you been? What has been your favorite?

Grade: A

I have been to Berkeley Springs Brewing previously in their prior location, but since they have moved spaces and expanded, I needed to make another trip. 



This brewery, located along Michigan Lane in Berkeley Springs, is especially unique because Berkeley Springs is known for its spring water. And, beer is all about the water. So, it has a great selling proposition for its beverages.



The flagship styles for Berkeley Springs Brewing include Cacapon Kolsch, American Amber, Berkeley Brown, Warm Springs Pale Ale, Stonewall IPA, Old Oak Stout, and Lover's Leap IPA.



They also produce Mountain Top Tea beverages, which are low ABV, low calorie, low carb with natural flavor (and many are gluten free) seltzer alternatives. Flavors include: Blackberry, Early Grey Tea, Green Tea Sour and Mandarin Orange Rooibos.



They even had a hard kombucha, which I took home with me on this particular occasion - just because it's different. I'm not sure I know of another brewery in the state doing a hard kombucha. 



The space inside is large, with wooden beams and a huge, wooden bar. There is space for groups, but also lots of bar seating. So I ordered a snack as I took in the space.



The menu features everything from nachos and hummus to BBQ pulled pork and Belgian waffles. That's not to mention their specials, which on this day included a Cranberry-Walnut Brie Plate that I could not pass up. It was served with a large baked brie topped with cranberry and walnuts and served with pita bread.



I snacked on this all the way back to Charleston. The kombucha, of course, had to wait. 



But both were delish. I really appreciate the creative approach to both the beer and food - to branch out and try some weird stuff. It's a fun departure from my regular rotations of beer. 

Schlafly Beer is known as the original St. Louis beer.



"As the founder of the craft movement in the backyard of the world's largest brewer, we began hand-brewing authentic beers in 1991 and continue the commitment today as the original locally-owned independent craft brewery in Missouri."



The Taproom was just a few blocks away, so my coworkers and I made our way over for dinner.



But first, beer. I started with a sampler of some of their beers: sour, cider, boomerang, hefeweizen, and white lager. I enjoyed all of these, actually. But the cider and sour were my favorites.



 For my main meal, I struggled to choose just one thing. So, I ordered the fries as an appetizer that came with spicy ketchup, green peppercorn, truffle aioli. I, as predicated, fell in love with the truffle aioli.



And I decided on the Jagerschnitzel ~ crisp pork loin cutlet, rich mushroom-bacon sauce, mashed potatoes. This gigantic portion could have lasted me a few days. But the flavors were all there - the rich mushroom sauce, paired with the crisp pork loin and some creamy potatoes. Delish.
 

While traveling for work, we spent an evening in Evansville, Indiana. Now, I've been to this town previously because my good friend Kayla lives nearby. But I was excited to try a new place I had never been: Turoni's Pizzery & Brewery.



This pizza shop is also a brewery. So, it's the best of both worlds here. The restaurant is known for its super, super thin crust pizza - like almost a cracker! I've learned this is reminiscent of St. Louis-style pizza.



For my order, I went with the Iron Man, which had mushrooms, garlic, spinach and artichoke hearts. Very thin crust, but the toppings were tasty. Definitely get more of a taste for those than with a thicker dough that can mask some of that flavor.



OKAY and then there was the beer. They had a handful of local brews. So I went with a flight to try a little of everything.



Unfortunately, things got a little mixed up and turned around so we weren't totally sure which beer was which and we ended up with an extra. I can tell you, though, my favorites were the honey one and my least favorite was the dark beer. It had a certain kind of bitter.

Grade: B

The newest brewery in West Virginia is open, and I had a chance to check it out within the first month.


Old Spruce Brewing, located at Snowshoe, is serving up their own porter, blonde, ESB, hazy IPA and red IPA.


While here, I went with a classic blonde, which was so tasty.

 
And they had snacks, like trout dip, spicy bacon, and more.


Have you been here yet?