Westside Brewing
Westside Brewing’s Westwood taproom is located in the historic Wullenweber Motors auto dealership building. Today, it serves as a lively neighborhood brewery where families, friends, and craft beer enthusiasts gather at long tables to chat and enjoy each other’s company. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere features an outdoor patio that welcomes dogs, and the Ruehlman Place entrance is wheelchair accessible. Parking is limited nearby, but the steady flow of visitors shows that the brewery has become an important part of the Westwood community.
A second location in Wyoming, Ohio, has a different name. When Westside Brewing acquired Gilligan’s On The Green Restaurant and Brewery, the name was shortened to Gilligan’s Brewery. According to the brewery’s account on Gilligan’s website, Martin Gilligan was born in Cincinnati in 1881 to Irish immigrant parents who fled the Irish Potato Famine. Gilligan later became the head gardener for legendary Cincinnati brewer Christian Moerlein, whose influence helped shape the city’s brewing tradition. Today, Gilligan’s name lives on through a line of beers that honor that heritage.
Back in Westwood, the experience begins with a tasting flight of four beer samples served on a uniquely round wooden tray. The brewery’s Amber Ale is a classic American interpretation of the style. Bready malt notes form its foundation, enhanced by a subtle hint of chocolate. Cascade hops release a gentle citrus aroma that pairs well with the malt’s sweetness. The result is a beer that feels both traditional and very drinkable.
Another approachable option is Westside’s Cerveza, a pale lager brewed with maize in the grain bill to keep the profile crisp and refreshing. The beer pours a golden color with a bright white head. Crackery and lightly biscuity malt aromas emerge first, while a restrained hop bitterness—slightly floral with a touch of spice—keeps the finish clean and snappy.
The brewery’s Hefeweizen highlights its German roots. Brewed with a traditional yeast strain and left unfiltered, the beer pours a softly glowing golden haze. Aromas of clove and spice blend with a familiar hint of banana that defines this style. The balance is well judged, delivering the lively character expected from a classic Bavarian wheat beer.
Westside’s IPA offers a bold, hop-forward experience. Brewed with El Dorado, Citra, and Simcoe hops, the beer explodes with aromas of tropical fruits and juicy citrus. Beneath the vibrant fruit notes, there is a subtle hint of dank pine, adding complexity before a balanced bitterness finishes. The last beer sampled was an extra—beyond the four in the flight—a Gilligan’s beer, an Irish-style lager. Its clean malt flavors dominate both the aroma and the taste, and the golden beer ends up crisp and refreshing.
Food from Catch-A-Fire Pizza complements the beer lineup. The Cornerstone pizza features fire-roasted red sauce, pepperoni, and a blend of four cheeses that melt into a rich, satisfying bite. Crispy wood-fired wings, served with Westside’s beer-brined Amber Ale sauce and ranch or blue cheese for dipping, start the culinary experience. Adding to the brewery’s comfort food options, Nati Twist soft pretzels come warm and are served with house beer cheese and beer mustard.
Beyond its beer options, Westside Brewing caters to nearly every taste. Guests looking for something different can choose from cider, wine, a small selection of liquors, or soft drinks. For those who want to take the flavor home, growler fills are available for any beer on tap, with half-price growler days announced periodically.
Like many Cincinnati breweries, Westside Brewing reflects the city’s long history of craft beer appreciation. Housed in a building once used for cars, the taproom now brings people together around something even older than engines: the joy of sharing a well-made beer with friends.
