Mt. Carmel Brewing Company
Just eight minutes from EastGate Mall, Mt. Carmel Brewing Company is an excellent spot for lunch, dinner, and craft beer. Last week’s visit was enjoyable and relaxing, with attentive service and cozy surroundings. Chatting with the bartenders about the brewery and its craft beers was both interesting and informative. The thriving, family-friendly business has continued to grow since opening in 2005. It started in Kathleen and Mike Dewey’s farmhouse kitchen and expanded to include the nearby carriage house, which was transformed into a modern microbrewery. The architectural updates seamlessly blend historic charm with modern style. Along with craft beer, four rotating wines on tap complement the full bar, which features top-shelf bourbons, whiskeys, and vodkas. Expertly crafted drinks include Mt. Carmel Brewing’s exclusive offerings—Amberetto Sour and Beermosa. The event space can host up to 150 guests and offers a special catering menu. During warmer months, outdoor seating includes a lower patio and an upper deck, offering scenic views of the landscaping and pond with a fountain. Over the summer, we stopped by for lunch, sat on the patio, and ordered Bavarian deep-fried pretzel sticks served with MCBC’s amber ale beer cheese. The crispy, warm pretzels with creamy cheese dip made a tasty appetizer. For lunch, we both had a smashed-style beef burger topped with American cheese, served with perfectly cooked fries.
As we continued talking, we ordered a couple of beer flights. The first featured four options: pilsner, golden ale, Kölsch, and hefeweizen. The second included a nut brown ale, two types of amber ale, and an IPA — eight samples shared between us as we enjoyed the flavors, textures, and subtleties while comparing our impressions. Ales dominated the selections, all highly drinkable and varying in color and clarity, but still fitting the definition, which includes the use of top-fermenting yeast and warm fermentation temperatures. Unlike lagers, ales ferment more quickly, producing desirable, fruity, complex flavors. Of the five ales, the lightest is a blonde or golden ale without a specific craft name, unique to MCBC’s brew lineup. Its clean aroma, golden hue, and exceptional clarity set the stage for the taste experience — a delicious, well-balanced, medium-bodied beer with a dry finish. The next ale, an American red ale, is light amber. Its slightly citrusy, rich, malty flavor and smooth, silky texture lead to a well-balanced hop finish. Ted’s Amber Ale, a red ale brewed exclusively for Montgomery Inn, is comparable. The well-balanced American nut brown ale is full-bodied and intricate, featuring chocolate notes and a crisp finish. An India Pale Ale, the fifth and final ale, Fresh Hop American West Coast IPA, is hazy and golden, refreshing, balanced, and delicious.
The pilsner called Bob, Bop & Bill’s Pils, is very light in color, sparkling, clear, and true to its description—crisp and refreshing. MCBC’s Hefeweizen, an unfiltered, cloudy wheat beer, has an earthy, grainy aroma and flavor. While it’s not a favorite, it meets the style’s expectations. The Kölsch, on the other hand, is the favorite of the eight samples. It is a light, easy-drinking beer that can be classified as an ale but is also considered a hybrid because it’s made with top-fermenting yeast and lagered or cold-conditioned. This delicious, slightly hazy, medium-bodied, golden beer features a hint of citrus and offers a balanced, subtle velvety finish. Sampling a couple of flights of quality artisan beer in a welcoming atmosphere was an enjoyable evening out. One of the area’s best microbreweries, Mt. Carmel Brewing Company, offers six-packs and growlers. Its craft brew is also available at Montgomery Inn, Dewey’s Pizza, the Cincinnati Zoo, and Arthur’s Restaurant.
