Our first Brewing Heritage Day was a great success! We were thrilled to welcome a great crowd and share Cincinnati’s rich brewing history through a variety of free, family-friendly activities and experiences.

From exploring the Brewing Heritage Trail App expansion and stepping back in time through the virtual reality underground lagering cellar experience, to sampling root beers, connecting with local brewers, and enjoying the many other activities throughout the day, we were excited to see so many people come out to celebrate our city’s brewing heritage.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported the event, and helped make this first year such a memorable experience. We’re already working on plans for next summer’s Brewing Heritage Day in 2027, and additional details will be posted here as the date approaches.

We look forward to seeing you again soon as we continue celebrating the stories, people, and traditions that make Cincinnati’s brewing history so special!

Ticketed Experiences

A Day of History, Heritage, and Great Beer

Brewing Heritage Day brings together the stories, traditions, and people that shaped Cincinnati into one of America’s great brewing cities.

Come explore, learn, and celebrate the heritage that continues to inspire Cincinnati’s brewing community today.

Public Tastings

Sample the flavors of local brewing history during Brewing Heritage Day! Both host sites will offer 4 oz. tastings of guest beers from area breweries, as well as their own, throughout the day. Visit the Brewing Heritage Trail table to purchase your tasting tickets and discover some of the region’s finest craft beers.

Guest Breweries Include: Fifty West, Sonder, Cincinnati Beverage Company, Wooden Cask, Sam Adams, West Side, Urban Artifact, and HighGrain. 

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Brewing Heritage Day Tours

Join us for a special behind the scenes tour of historic Christian Moerlein sites not normally open to the public! This pub crawl inspired tour will feature beer tasting samples along the way and visit the only accessible Christian Moerlein Brewery underground lagering tunnel. 

 

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Guided Tasting Sessions

Brewing Heritage Day is offering a series of guided tasting sessions throughout the afternoon led by brewery representatives who know their beer best! Each session will feature five different 4oz. samples and take place at both the Rhinegeist and Northern Row Breweries.

 

FREE Activities and Experiences

Tapping Into Tradition: Brewing History Exhibit

Discover the fascinating story of Cincinnati’s brewing heritage through historic photographs and signage, as well as brewing artifacts presented by the Cincinnati Museum Center’s Curator of History Objects, Katherine Gould. The exhibit can be found on the brew deck adjacent to the Rhinegeist taproom.

Virtual Reality Brewing Cellar Exploration

Step back in time through an immersive virtual reality experience that takes you into the 19th century underground lagering cellars of the nearby Jackson Brewery! This fun experience is located inside the Rhinegeist taproom.

Root Beer Tasting Station

Perfect for families and younger guests, sample a variety of specialty root beers while learning about the history of America’s favorite soft drink. This fun and free activity is located inside the Rhinegeist taproom. 

Ask a Brewer Station

Meet local brewers inside the Rhinegeist taproom, learn about the brewing process, discuss ingredients and techniques, and gain insight into the craft behind every pint. Each brewer participating will also bring a beer for guests to sample using the same tasting tickets from the Public Tasting, but no purchase is necessary to stop by and chat with them about brewing.

1pm: Rhinegeist & Sonder

2pm: Urban Artifact & Sonder

3pm: HighGrain, Fifty West & Sam Adams

4pm: Sonder & West Side

5pm: Urban Artifact & Wooden Cask

Talent on Tap - Brewing Heritage Day Finale

Raise a glass and join us at 7pm at Northern Row Brewery & Distillery for Talent on Tap, the grand finale of Brewing Heritage Day! This one-of-a-kind, beer-themed talent competition is FREE to attend and promises an evening full of creativity, laughter, and spirited performances.

The competition will be judged by Bockfest Sausage Queen Silja and members of her Royal Sausage Court, who will crown winners in a variety of fun categories, including:

  • Best Beer-Themed Costume
  • Funniest Talent
  • Best Incorporation of Beer
  • Crowd Favorite
  • Best of Show

Whether you’re a performer ready to showcase your hops-inspired skills or a fan eager to cheer on the contestants, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Make sure to arrive early to get a good seat! 

Interested in competing? Space is limited, so be sure to register in advance using the link below!

Come celebrate brewing heritage with talent, tradition, and plenty of beer-filled fun!

REGISTER HERE

Launch of the Brewing Heritage Trail App

Be among the first to experience the newly expanded Brewing Heritage Trail App, now featuring the “Gilded Brew” self-guided tour, containing more than 30 additional historic locations—including the site of Brewing Heritage Day. 

Designed to guide visitors through the historic brewing landmarks, fascinating stories, and hidden treasures of Cincinnati, the app offers an immersive way to explore the city’s rich brewing heritage. Stop by the Brewing Heritage Trail table at Rhinegeist or Northern Row during the event to learn more or go to the App Store or Google Play today to download the FREE app! 

merch!

Celebrate Cincinnati’s rich brewing heritage and take home a unique piece of the experience! Exclusive Brewing Heritage Day commemorative T-shirts and collectible hat pins will be available for purchase during the event.

These limited-edition items are a great way to show your Cincinnati pride while supporting an important cause—100% of proceeds benefit the nonprofit Brewing Heritage Trail and its mission to preserve, share, and celebrate the stories, landmarks, and legacy of Cincinnati’s world-famous brewing history.

Be sure to grab yours at the Brewing Heritage Trail table at both Rhinegeist and Northern Row before they’re gone!

Brewing History Speaker Series

Attend engaging presentations from historians, authors, brewing experts, and industry professionals covering a wide range of topics related to Cincinnati’s brewing traditions and influence on American beer culture.

These FREE sessions take place throughout the afternoon at the Rhinegeist Brewery, in the conference room adjacent to the brew deck, and will feature experts on a variety of brewing related topics. No tickets are necessary, but space is limited, so be sure to show up early to make sure you get a spot!

SCHEDULE:
12:15pm: Discovery of the Moerlein Mural & Other Rhinegeist History with Ben Castle
1pm: Cincinnati’s Beer Barons & the Golden Age of Brewing with Don Heinrich Tolzman
2pm: Cincinnati & Family Brewing History with John Piening from the Cincinnati Beverage Company
3pm: Tapping Creativity and Rebirths in OTR with Artist Jim Effler
4pm: Northern Row Brewery – Our Facility & the Relics Inside with Josh Lively
5pm: A Light in the Tunnel – Restoring the Bruckmann Brewery, a New Documentary by the Brewing Heritage Trail and the Gnarly Gnome