Cartridge Brewing
The high-quality, award-winning craft beers served at Cartridge Brewing in Kings Mills, Ohio, where “honoring the past, brewing the future” is a core mission, are brewed and bottled on-site at the Peter’s Cartridge factory complex, a historic local landmark. In the spacious, well-lit, and industrial-chic taproom, a sense of grandeur blends with the warmth of camaraderie beneath a uniquely designed concrete ceiling. The structure itself stands as a monument to history; it is a place where lives were invested, memories were made, and contributions to the future were achieved by past generations. By transforming a site that once echoed with the voices of thousands of workers making munitions during World Wars I and II, Cartridge Brewing encourages the nearby communities to revive neighborliness and a spirit of cooperation. The brewery offers tours that let visitors see the brewing process and learn about the rich history of the former cartridge manufacturing plant. As part of the tour, guests are invited to enjoy four 5-ounce beers, signature pretzels, and beer cheese in the taproom afterward. Knowledgeable guides, skilled at identifying beer flavors and aromas, enhance the tasting experience.
The evening’s craft beer flight included an extra sample, totaling five tasters, and started with a New England Pale Ale called Beginner’s Luck. It is described as hopped with Citra and Citra Cryo, offering a big, pillowy mouthfeel, bright tropical and citrus aromas, and a slightly dry finish. This crisp, citrusy, refreshing, easy-drinking beer with a hazy golden hue delivers exactly as promised. The Citra Cryo used to brew Beginner’s Luck is a highly concentrated hop pellet made by extracting aromatic oils and resins from hop cones at very low temperatures. Next on the flight, Victor Cream Ale’s light golden, clear appearance and delightful citrus aroma, with just the right balance of hoppiness, set expectations for a smooth, creamy flavor experience. It is described as “Crisp, clean, and refreshing with a subtle fruity hop character from a dose of Sultana hops.” Ideal for IPAs, Hazy IPAs, and Pale Ales, Sultana™, a U.S. hop known for bold pineapple, bright citrus, and pine flavors, is relatively new compared to traditional hops. A Schwarzbier, meaning “black beer” in German, followed the cream ale. It is a dark lager with a light body. Cartridge Brewing’s version, called Covert Schwarzbier, is described as “Soft, robust, and super drinkable, camouflaged in a light, crisp body, smooth malty flavor, and mild hoppiness.” An accurate assessment of a great beer. Sample number four, a lighter-colored lager, is called Smokestack. It is cloudy and deep gold, with a truly smoky aroma and a distinctive, delicately robust flavor. It evokes fond memories of sitting by a campfire. It’s always impressive when brewers use natural ingredients and processes to achieve their desired results. The brewery describes it as “Classic German-style lager with a blend of beechwood and oak smoked malts for a delectably smoky beer.” Finally, the amber-colored Extra Special Bitter, King’s English, was inspired by traditional ales brewed in England. This ale is brewed with English malts and hops, and its water profile mimics that of a well-known London brewery. It “offers a light body, biscuit-forward flavor, and a fruity aroma from English yeast esters.” This tasty bitter is enjoyable and has an excellent aftertaste. It, along with the others, complemented the extraordinary, unique Margarita pizza and soft pretzels well.
The revival of craft brewing in the region is more than just a trend; it’s a tradition and shared heritage that many microbreweries aim to restore, with the goal of fostering community, friendship, and neighborliness. From immigrants who brought beer recipes and hopes for a better life to those fortunate enough to enjoy hard-won freedom in the very building where the wartime generation made munitions to defeat enemies, valuing humanity and sharing life together has always been—and remains—the goal of all who honor the sacrifices made over centuries to preserve freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and the right to assemble. Cartridge Brewing is part of the Peters Cartridge Factory complex, which also includes the Peters Cartridge Factory Apartments. Spaces at this special location along the Little Miami are available for events of any size.
