Tag: March First

Exploration Brewery: March First

March First Brewing

I recently visited March First Brewing for the first time and the experience did not disapoint. Since I had not been to the taproom yet but was cheering them on in the Fifty West Punch Out this year, something you can read more on here, I thought I better stop by before the event. Their address is 7885 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249 – look for the red “M” flags out front.

The Place

To start off March First has plenty of parking. I went on a Saturday afternoon on a beautiful day and I didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. I know that’s important to some of you. The building is a little hard to spot but they have several promotional vehichles parked out front to go along the line of little red flags waiving you to the parking lot. The building kind of looks like an old set of offices. The parking lot is off to the side of the building and once you get out the taproom is around the back of the building. They have arrows and signs pointing you in the right direction. There are two huge roll up garage doors that let you know you’re in the right place. Outside they have tables and a patio area set up. Inside the bar is right there when you walk in. They have tv’s to behind the bar. When I was there the World Cup and the Reds were on.

March First is no one trick pony. They have a kitchen with a variety of pizzas and other food options. They also have more than beer. They also do ciders and spirits. I’m talking spirits they distill themselves! Basically, they have something for everyone.

The Beer

March First has a lot going on in terms of what’s avabliable to drink in their taproom. Like I said earlier, they’re a triple threat with the beer, cider, and spirits. While I was there I had a flight plus a pint so I tried five beers in all. This was my first stop of the day so I stuck to the lighter side of things so I could keep going. I had the session IPA, Ohio pilsner, Denali IPA, the Irish Red, and their newly released Tropical Blonde.

They have plenty of swag avaliable, growlers, and bottles to go too.

It was the Tropical Blonde that I really enjoyed. At 5% ABV and 15 IBUs this one is a drinker. I picked up a lot of mango at first taste and pineapples notes on the backend.  It’s light, refreshing, and delicious.

Overall

March First is about to embark on an agressive expansion soon so you’ll probably see more of them around town. Until then, go check them out in Blue Ash. They have a cool taproom with plenty of options for you no matter what kind of drinker you are. I’ll be back to try the darker/heavier side of their beers soon and some ciders soon.

They are open daily, check out their website for the hours. They also have a large event space to rent out.

marchfirstbrewing.comTwitter: @Marchfirstbrew

The Punch Out with March First

The Punch Out: Round 3

Coming up this Saturday is the Fifty West Brewing’s Punch Out: Round 3. The event starts at 4pm and as of the Thursday evening there are tickets still available HERE. Now if you’re not aware of what the Punch Out is then let me try to explain. In what I’ll venture to say is the most unique beer event in the country the creative people at Fifty West went out to other breweries around Cincinnati and found people to represent their respective brewery in a boxing match. They paired them up and on Saturday we see 18 match ups between 9 different breweries. If you need a visual let me show you their hype video from last year’s Punch Out.

It looks like the coolest thing ever! Or as the kids say, it’s lit! Craft beer and amateur boxing? Sign me up.

Needless to say I’m pumped for Saturday.

I had one problem though. I’m a fan of all the breweries participating in the event so who am I going to cheer for? I’m a person that draws lines in the sand when it comes to sports and competition and becuase of that I needed to take sides. I turned to Twitter to help me decide which brewery to cheer on.

Several liked and responded but only one brewery retweeted…

March First Brewing

March First is sending out Bryan Fischer to take on Corey Minton of Rhinegeist.

I thought it would be cool to hear from the boxer representing the brewery in the ring so I sat down with Bryan (sort of) to ask him a couple of questions about his fight and about March First. Enjoy.

Q. What is your roll / job title at March First ?

A. Assistant Brewer and Director of Throwing Hands

Q.  If you could pick one person to compare your boxing style to who would it be? (Real or fictional)

A. Batman!

Q. Did you volunteer as tribute or were you picked to participate in the Punch Out ? Why?

A.  I volunteered because it has always been an interesting event that I have wanted to be a part of.

Q.  Is this your first time boxing in the Punch Out ? How did you do previously? Will you be trying any signature moves/combos?

A.  Yes it is my first time! My signature moves are … secrets 

Q. What’s one thing the good people of Cincinnati have to know about March First?

A. We are in the process of an extensive expansion. It will include a bigger, new taproom and patio, more parking, and more production space.

Q. What does the brewery have coming up that you’re most excited about?

A. Same Answer as above

Q.  I heard boxers are supposed to trade beers at the end of their matches, which beer will you give to Corey from Rhinegeist?

A. We just released a Tropical Blonde that will be at the event. It will be the perfect, refreshing after fight drink.

…

To sum this up Bryan is a Batman-like fighter with secret moves and an expanding brewery supporting him so good luck Corey, you’ll need it.

In full disclosure I have not visited the taproom at March First so Saturday before the festivities begin at Fifty West you can catch me there. Feel free to join me! The taproom can be found at  7885 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249 – look for the red “M” flags out front.

You can find them online at www.marchfirstbrewing.com. 

If you’d like to hear a more in depth conversation with the guys at March First and what they have coming up in the near future they recently sat down with the Gnarly Gnome on Cincy Brewcast, listen HERE.

 

 

Photo credits from the Instagram pages of Fifty West Brewing and March First Brewing, respectively.