When Market Garden Brewery opens — finally! — this coming Monday, June 27, it will further cement Ohio City as one of the region’s preeminent entertainment districts. But more than that, perhaps, is the fact that Ohio City will be one giant step closer to becoming a “brewery district.” In addition to granddaddy Great Lakes Brewing, and newcomer Market Garden, there is hope of luring other brewing startups to the neighborhood.
For now, however, we’ll have to make do with the fabulous offerings by GLBC and Market Garden, which is under the capable leadership of Andy Tveekrem, former brewmaster for Dogfish Head Brewery (and, years ago, Great Lakes). A sample of Tveekrem’s brews reveal an award-winning level of quality, balance and drinkability. Among the 12 house-brewed beers are Scotch Ale, Viking Pale Ale, St. Emeric Stout and Pearl Street Wheat. Additionally, a dozen taps will be reserved for guest beers from around the region. Down the road, Tveekrem and his team will be adding small-batch spirits to the mix.
The build-out may have taken a tad longer than expected, but it is surely worth the wait. The nearly built-from-scratch property will seat approximately 320 on opening day, with another 180 to come when the rooftop patio opens next year. Inside, two large bars (“Because two bars is better than one,” owner Sam McNulty wisely points out.) and numerous booths are constructed from warm, dark woods. Outside, protected on three sides by the restaurant and brewhouse, is a spectacular beer garden. Wood-slab communal tables, built around semi-mature trees, are positioned beneath a towering brick fireplace and chimney.
“The beer garden is going to be great place to spend the summer,” McNulty says, “but also the winter thanks to the wood-burning fireplace and heaters.”
This article appears in Jun 22-28, 2011.
It’s an amazing place and enormous achievement by a true visionary, Sam McNulty.