Cinn - Christian Moerlein Opens OTR Craft Beer Brewery
 

Christian Moerlein Opens OTR Craft Beer Brewery
http://www.local12.com/news/local/st...7p8Y1xZWg.cspx
Over-the-Rhine may soon smell like a brewery and for good reason. Christian Moerlein Brewing Company returned to its roots today by opening a craft beer operation in an old 19th century brewery building. They are hoping this is just the first step in revitalizing Cincinnati's historic brewery district.

From the 1800's until prohibition, the building near Libertyand Moore was the John Kaufmann Brewery. At the time of prohibition, Christian Moerlein was the largest brewery in Ohio, and the ninth largest in the United States. The brand disappeared between 1920 and 1933 and didn't resurface until Hudephol re-introduced the name in 1981.

A few million dollars of new stainless fermenting and bottling equipment will put 20 new brewery workers on the job next year. They'll brew about 15,000 barrels in 2013 ... just a few blocks from where Christian himself rolled out the barrels 160 years ago.

Officials are hoping this is just the first step in revitalizing Cincinnati's historic brewery district. Mayor Mark Mallory says, "You know, this is not just about drinking beer. This is about reconnecting with the very people who settle this area. This is about reconnecting with a huge industry that used to be a part of Cincinnati's economy."

Greg Hardman is President and CEO. "It was important to bring these beers back to Over-the-Rhine for one, main fundamental reason. This is the heart of the brewery district where the brewery culture started in Cincinnati and we're proud to bring back Christian Moerlein back to its home."

In 1900, the neighborhood was home to 18 breweries. The new Moerlein facility is in what was once the John Kaufmann Brewery. Two years ago, an old tunnel linking two of Kaufmann's buildings under Hamer Street ... bricked shut since prohibition ... was re-opened. That was part of the effort to promote Over-the-Rhine's brewery district.

Moerlein's new place will eventually be a tour center. Steve Hampton is from the OTR Brewery District. "This is really going to be almost a crown jewel. I mean the fact that we have a modern production facility in a historic pre-prohibition brewery building is really kind of the entire essence of the neighborhood."

The brewmasters hope to start brewing Moerlein lagers and ales by the end of the year. The Over-the-Rhine facility will brew a variety of beers, depending on what's needed to meet the demand from bars and stores.

The new brewery will join the Cincinnati Brewery Heritage Trail that is set to start tours next fall .