Rockmill Brewery
– TheBeercat
Every once in a while you need to take a road trip. I was surprised to find out beer exists outside of the greater Cincinnati area. Naturally I had to get out and try it. Just Southeast of Columbus sits Lancaster, OH. In Lancaster you’ll find Rockmill Brewery. I can’t recommend seeking out this hidden gem enough. With its close proximity to Hocking Hills you can bet the landscape is amazing.
(They have opened a second location in Columbus to spread their liquid happiness to others but if you have a chance to visit the original, do it.)
Rockmill sits on an a beautiful old horse farm and all of their beer is Belgian inspired Farmhouse ales. They’ve been open since 2010 so they know what they’re doing. They’re family owned and operated and are cranking out delicious beer of all kinds.
The property itself is worth a visit. They have several buildings housing their brewery operation. They have a patio and the most unique taproom I have every been to along with several barns and trails to walk on to see the property you get a one of a kind experience at Rockmill.
While the Lancaster location doesn’t serve food packing a picnic is perfectly acceptable. If you visit during warmer weather months a picnic on the property is a great way to see all of the natural works and with the wooden tables scattered about its pretty easy to find a nice spot.
The Hocking River rolls through the brewery’s property, a natural resource the brewery uses to its advantage in the brewing process.
Walk into the taproom and you won’t find a bar-like atmosphere or something that reflects a brewery atmosphere either. You’ll find a small bar in the main room and a lodge. I’ll call it a beer lodge. It resembles a cabin in the mountains more than anything really. Multiple rooms with tables, leather couches, ottomans, fire places, and some high top tables with chairs. Upstairs you can take in the exposed beams of the ceiling as well as several private cozy rooms. In the main room upstairs a look out of the window lets you see the patio and an awesome view of the entire property.
Beer? Oh they have that too. At the bar they have six taps and offer more beer by the glass poured from their bottles they bottle and sell right out of the taproom themselves. They offer anything you fancy, all with their Belgian twist.
Pilsners, IPAs, Stouts, Saisons, dubbels, tripels, you name it. They also have some outstanding barrel aged beer to choose from. The Cask Aged Tripel was easily my favorite beer I tried. It’s a tripel aged in whiskey barrels from a local micro-distillery Middle West Spirits. It’s smooth at 10.5% ABV.
A close second was the Sour Cherry Saison. At a cool 5% ABV it has a cherry start with a tart finish that isn’t too overbearing and won’t make you pucker it’s light and crushable.
I did bring home a Le Cheval bottle, at 5% ABV with a very attenuative yeast strain from Northern France it leaves a dry, crisp session saison.
(I’m very anxious to try it but I’m trying saving it for a bottle share.)
What’s really cool about this place too? They host private parties and weddings too!
You can find Rockmill Brewery at:
5705 Lithopolis Rd NW, Lancaster, OH 43130
www.rockmillbrewery.com
They’re also on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.