Porch-drinking, part 2. More great patios at Cincinnati breweries ☀️🍺

The outdoors are pretty great, right?

Seems that a lot of you think so. I’m guessing that’s why last week’s piece about the best breweries for drinking outdoors in Cincinnati was so popular among readers. So how about it: Do you want five more?

Of course you do. I’ve got you, friendo.

OTR StillHouse

I didn’t make much of a secret of how excited I was about the opening of the OTR StillHouse late last year. My expectations were sky-high, and the anticipation only got stronger as the grand opening got pushed back because of construction permit issues.

Unfortunately for all of us, the grand opening didn’t actually happen until December. And while we did have a run of unseasonably warm weather in the weeks that immediately followed, it wasn’t until much more recently that the OTR StillHouse got some good days in the sun.

The OTR StillHouse’s outdoor space comfortably accommodates hundreds of guests, and the buildings that enclose the courtyard provide a pleasant amount of shade for guests to enjoy. While the field turf-covered outdoor space isn’t dog-friendly for sanitary reasons, there’s plenty of room for kids to play while the adults enjoy the excellently crafted beers and spirits, all of which are made on-site.

While the gameday crowds are going to keep head brewer Chris Mitchell busy making IPAs and lagers, the high-end craft beer is sure to build a following of its own.

Hofbrauhaus

“Craft brewers interpret historic styles with unique twists and develop new styles that have no precedent,” according to the Brewers’ Association website.

By definition, no, Hofbrauhaus isn’t a craft brewery. It’s a German brewery, one that takes its roots very seriously. Hofbrau meticulously observes Reinheitsgebot, the German beer purity law of 1516.

You won’t find a lot of innovation at Hofbrauhaus. But that’s hardly to say Hofbrauhaus isn’t a place craft beer lovers can enjoy. Far from it. The beers are fantastic, and they can all be flavored with Hofbrauhaus Newport’s house-made syrups. Imagine a black cherry schwarzbier or a blood orange hefeweizen. So, in a sense, yes, you can get craft beer at this non-craft brewery.

What you will find is a celebration of centuries of beer-drinking culture done right. And you’ll find one of Greater Cincinnati’s oldest and best biergartens.

Rhinegeist

Two spots in OTR on one list? That’s a hard yes.

I love what Rhinegeist has done with the 19th-century lager house it now calls home. The taproom really puts the space in spacious, and the private party rooms are something to look forward to whenever the opportunity to go arises.

But I think one of the best moves Rhinegeist made with that place is when it opened the rooftop patio. The outdoor area is just what the brewery needed: a change of scenery from the industrial grays of the interior.

If you love great views and a cool breeze, the Rhinegeist rooftop is tough to beat.

Streetside

The last time I wrote a Greater Cincinnati Craft Brewery Power Rankings column – and every time before that – Streetside was among the Hot Five.

I’ve made no secret of my love for Streetside. The beer is second-to-none around here. But I was a bit surprised to see it land near the top of the informal patio poll I conducted a few weeks back in the Cincinnati Craft Beer Club Facebook group.

Streetside has a small patio out in front of its Eastern Avenue location, but it only seats about 40 people. The brewery did have a large canopy tent erected in its parking lot for guests to use last year, but that’s no longer there.

Well, it turns out that little patio of Streetside’s is going to be not-so-little soon. The brewery is in the process of upgrading its outdoor area. We’re talking at least double the capacity, along with an outdoor bar and more restrooms. Just when I thought I couldn’t love the place more.

Mt. Carmel

Did you know that Mt. Carmel Brewing Company has been continuously operating longer than any other craft brewery in Greater Cincinnati? Yeah, they’re the last of a dying breed of OGs.

They also happen to have a pretty amazing outdoor setup, which should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with that part of the region. It’s a long drive for most of us, but it’s hard to name a brewery that has a more visually stunning outdoor area.

Barrel Aged Beer Alert

If you enjoy barrel-aged stouts, there are two releases taking place this Saturday you’ll want to check out.

Third Eye Brewing in Sharonville is set to hold its biggest barrel-aged beer event and bottle release this Saturday, April 30, when it releases Double Astral Chocolate Oatmeal Imperial Stout.

Double Astral is a delightfully murky stout brewed with copious amounts of Maverick Chocolate and aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. The beer will be sold in wax-dipped 12-ounce bottles for $13.99 apiece, limit two per customer. I got to try Double Astral last Friday and, oh my goodness, is it ever good.

In addition, Third Eye will be tapping three fantastic barrel-aged beers: Astral Barrel-Aged Chocolate Maple Vanilla Stout, Total Debockery Barrel-Aged Doppelbock and Kelly’s Private Stash Barrel-Aged Barleywine.

Also Saturday, 16 Lots Brewing in Mason will be releasing three bottles:

• Philosophical Illuminations Blend No. 1, ChocoBanana Barrel-Aged Stout.

• Philosophical Illuminations Blend No. 2, Fluffernutter Barrel-Aged Stout.

• Eye of Providence Blond Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Stout.

The brewery is selling bombers individually for $15 apiece, or you can get a bottle of each in a set for $40. Blending of the beers is “highly encouraged” by the 16 Lots folks. Interesting!

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati breweries with great outdoor patios, part 2