What makes this event NOT average? Well this beer festival starts out in a beer garden with 10 breweries, live music by Tin Penny, and food trucks, and then morphs into a pub crawl throughout downtown Middletown to experience more amazing limited releases and special tappings in our local pubs and bars.
Dayton Dining
14 Breweries along the Great Miami Riverway
Nothing feels more summer than exploring somewhere new, craft beer in hand. The Great Miami Riverway has plenty of spots to visit, including a craft beer trail with some of the most unique brews you can get your hands on. You can sample some of those brews while you participate in the Riverway Summer Challenge. Through August, download the Great Miami Riverway app to check items off the passport and win prizes. Here are 12 favorites along the beer trail in Dayton, Miamisburg, Middletown, and more.
Middletown
Middletown’s woman-owned brewery N.E.W. Ales Brewing makes approachable beers, like their Gold Medal Award-winner, Still Not as Bitter as Your Ex imperial IPA, or opt for something heavier—a pint of I’m in Love with the Cocoa Pastry stout. If you’re sensitive to gluten or just want something a little lighter, check out Rolling Mill Brewing Company. After being diagnosed with Celiac disease, co-owners Josh and Megan Laubach turned to innovating a craft beer without the gluten. Options include pilsners, lagers, stouts, and more.
Dayton
As the first brewery downtown in more than 50 years, Toxic Brew Company is in the heart of the Oregon District brewing more than a dozen beers with an outdoor patio that overlooks the district. About a six minute walk away, Warped Wing pays homage to Dayton’s aviation history with themed beers like the Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale, an ode to Ermal Fraze—the inventor of the pop can. If you’re a sucker for history, step back in time at Carillon Brewing Co., where you can experience the brewing process from the 1850s. From the charcoal fires to the copper kettles, the staff ladles the sweet wort by hand. For a beer with a kick, check out Dayton Beer Company’s Oregon Alley IPA with habanero and enjoy their new rooftop bar, too. Within walking distance of the Great Miami River, Lock 27 Brewing is the perfect place to enjoy the Riverway. Try the Oat Rodeo oatmeal stout or Lock Tender, a summer-friendly golden ale. In the St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, Fifth Street Brewpub creates their own beer and seltzer along with guest taps. A little more than a mile drive, take in the scenery at RiverScape MetroPark at the beginning, middle, or end of your brewery trip or spend most of the day outdoors and end it with a craft brew.
Miamisburg
Located in Miamisburg, Star City Brewery hosts events like kayaking, trivia, and food trucks that pair with their selection of beer, cider, and seltzer. At the nearby Lucky Star Brewery, you can enjoy live music and tacos from the cantina. It’s the perfect area to bike around with the Great Miami River trail only a couple of blocks away.
Hamilton
After a day on the water or visiting the murals around town, end your day at Municipal Brew Works. Visiting food trucks roll through often and an outdoor patio with games and cornhole is a great spot to wind down. Try the Courageous IPA or the Approachable Blonde, and if beer isn’t your jam, then try the house seltzer—you can customize the flavor for a one-of-a-kind experience. If you’re seeking a new spot for date night, visit Fretboard Brewing & Public House. From shandys to IPAs, there’s an option for every type of beer lover and a menu chock full of options like a spicy pimento dip appetizer, fish and chips, and vegetarian options too. The best part? The patio’s view of the Great Miami River.
Troy
Troy is home to a bustling Main Street that’s just steps from the the scenic Great Miami River and Treasure Island Park. Originally First Lutheran Church in downtown Troy, Moeller Beer Barn is on Main Street, serving experimental beers and a killer menu including brick-oven pizzas and vegetarian options. And the beer list practically screams summer. Think strawberry lemonade seltzer, pineapple and grapefruit pale ale, and a lemon berry shandy.
Tipp City
Chaffee’s Brewhouse serves a carefully curated selection of unique beers with a special emphasis on Ohio breweries. Built in 1867, the Chaffee’s Opera House building was renovated to retain its original charm, and since it’s only a couple of blocks from the bike trail, it makes for a perfect pit stop.
Dayton Bar Star: Kelli Nikanowicz
In March, Kelli Nikanowicz was named the bar manager for The Century Bar this past March. When she’s not managing things at this nationally know bourbon bar, she took a few minutes to answer some question for us at Dayton937.com
How did you get into bartending?
It started as a side hustle to make money for college. I started working as a cart girl at the golf course by my house and we would occasionally get asked to work weddings/events. Once I realized how much fun I had doing those and how many people you could meet just by bartending, it was an easy choice.
What is your favorite drink to make?
Whiskey neat. Haha just kidding, thats just the easiest. I actually really like making a Sazerac. It’s such a great classic cocktail but you’d be surprised how many terrible ones I’ve had over the years. I’m forever on the search for people that are doing them right and this makes me want to make mine for everyone.
Do you have a favorite spirit you like to work with?
Bourbon would be the one everyone expects me to say, but I’ve really been into Rums lately. One of my favorite things to do is to take a classic rum drink and rework it to make more sense for the ingredients that are available to us today. There are some really delicious tiki drinks that really shine once you tweak the ingredients and rums.
When you go out for a drink in Dayton, where is your favorite place to go?
Because I am usually running around doing all the things required to run the bar, you will honestly see me wherever my friends are. I’m a classic “leaving in 5 minutes” person, meaning whoever I am meeting beats me to our set place and then decides where we’re drinking. I feel we have some fantastic personal bonds in the industry, so most of the decisions I make on where I go are based on who’s working that day. Connecting with them is more important to me than what I’m drinking or where.
Who is the most famous person you have served?
There have been some cool ones over the years, but a lady never tells.
What do you do when you are not bartending?
I try and spend a lot of my personal time relaxing with friends and family. I am extremely lucky to have made some amazing friends here over the years, they really are more like my Dayton family. I love going to concerts and seeing live music. I also really enjoy being outdoors or on the water, even though that has proven more difficult here than where I grew up.
What trends do you see coming to Dayton over the next six months?
My hope is that Dayton finally has a minute to grow. I feel like there’s been a slow and steady growth in the 10 years I’ve been here. Sadly, the last few years it seems like every challenge that could be sent our way has been. It would be fantastic to see things continue in the forward motion that they have been in the last few months. This city is so resilient and I have always loved this whole “if you’re doing something great in Dayton, they have your back” attitude. As a transplant to the city that was the first thing that won me over. It was the sense of community that I had been looking for that other places I lived just didn’t have.
What advice do you want to give bartenders just getting into the business?
It’s not for everyone. It’s hard. There are lots of long shifts and late nights. You will forever be on a schedule opposite from all the events that your friends will be going to. But it’s also the best thing I’ve ever done. You will meet some of the most amazing people and you will learn skills that you can take with you anywhere. Get your foot in the door, take any job that you can and work your way up. It’s how you learn how to do everything and you’ll be more successful for it.
What do you love most about Dayton?
Everything?!? I love the location, it’s just as easy to visit friends in Cincinnati and Kentucky as it is to go home to Michigan. In other cities I’ve lived in, 45 min – Hour was just my commute home from work. The community, as I mentioned before. There are just so many people doing great things here. We have amazing coffee spots, breweries, live shows, etc. (a Nationally ranked bourbon bar, cough, cough) The bike trails and metro parks. I really could go on and on.
Most interesting thing you have seen from behind the bar?
Oh, sooo many things. But hey, we’ve all had our moments so I won’t go airing other peoples dirty laundry. I have seen more butts than I would like to count though.
How has bartending changed in the time you have been in the industry?
It’s become much more respectable to have as a career. And shout out to all those before us that took it more serious than maybe others thought they should, it now allows us to make a profession out of it. When I first started, it was a way to make money slinging 50 cent beers and vodka sodas. Don’t get me wrong, it is still that if you want it to be. But there is now a place for people who want to learn and grow and who want to make it their future. One of the things that I love about the cocktail side of it also is that it has really become more of a culinary experience. I talk more with Chef friends about ingredients than ever before. There are some amazing things coming out of programs that grow the relationship between FOH & BOH crews.
What do you wish customers knew that helped you do your job?
Not all of us hate our jobs. Just because you met one “bartender” who was terrible at their job, most likely because they hate the service industry, doesn’t mean that we all do. Most of us are not “stuck” bartending because its just what we fell into. There are A LOT of us who love what we do. When you are in the presence of one of these people, who choose to serve you, give them the respect that you would want in your career. A great bartender told me something once that still sticks with me to this day, “Only dish out what you can take.” If you walk up to a bar snapping your fingers or waving your money at me, be prepared to wait 5 minutes longer than the person next to you. We’re here to serve you drinks, we don’t want you to wait. Be patient & you’ll get a better experience out of it in the long run. We’re all human.
If you were not a bartender, what career would you be pursuing?
Most do not know this, but I actually worked at an Architecture firm in Ann Arbor before I moved to Dayton. Part of my decision to not go back into that field was the insecurity of it all. One minute there are so many projects that you are working overtime every night and the next the firm is laying off staff because all the projects got canceled. I know that is true of many fields, as we saw over the last year. But something about this industry makes me happy. And I’m also willing to be that someone, somewhere will always need a drink.
Uncork & Pork at Winery at Versailles
The Winery at Versailles is hosting 2 nights of a 5 course pork and wine dinner event on Friday, August 13th and Saturday August 14th.
The Menu is as follows:
*Wonton Soup
*Pork Fried Rice
*Pork Tacos
*Pork Lettuce Wraps
*Spiced Apples
Each course is served with 2 pre-selected wines (one dry, one sweet).
Cost for the event is $25/person and includes the 5 course meal and wine pairings.
The bar will also offer wines by the flight, glass or bottle, slushies, beer and more for an additional fee.
Seating opens at 6pm and dinner will be served promptly at 6:30pm and is expected to last about 2 hours. Tickets must be pre-paid ann are non-refundable. To purchase tickets, you must call the Winery at 937-526-3232 during regular business hours and speak to a staff member. All guest must be 21 or older to attend.
One of the Most Popular Garlic Fest Dishes available at PangeaKeto
PangeaKeto’s Sweet Chili Garlic Chicken was one of the big hits of Garlic Fest this past weekend. Owner Matt Hayden said, “it was soooooooo NICE , after nearly two years, to finally be back at a festival. We have thoroughly missed the jovial atmosphere of the Garlic Fest, the opportunity to interact with old friends, old clients, colleagues, and of course the opportunity to make new ones.” Hayden first introduced this chicken dish at Garlic Fest 2016.
So they’ve decided to celebrate a somewhat return to normalcy, all week by serving the very same Garlic Fest Menu of SWEET CHILI GARLIC CHICKEN, PIZZA BOMBS and ITALIAN CRUNCH SLAW !! To show our appreciation to Garlic Fest, they will be donating $1 of each GARLIC FEST CHICKEN to the Garlic Hall of Fame which recognizes community nominated people in the Foodservice sector that have had a positive impact on the local food scene.
PangeaKeto
Dayton’s first and Only TOTALLY KETO Grab and Go Grocery and Eatery.
767 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Dayton, OH 45459
(937) 567-7850
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 4pm
Bryan’s Updated Quest for the Best Wings
The Buffalo Wing was an economical snack created in response to late-night bar patrons looking for a quick snack. In the now famed Anchor Bar in Buffalo, more than 50 years ago, the Buffalo Chicken Wing was invented. PS. The guys who started BW’s (BW3’s) were students at Kent State from Buffalo and wanted that treat from home, so they opened a place.Now…Dayton has no shortage of places to get wings. Everyone is getting in on the wing business but a few in the area do it right.
Quick disclaimer, I can’t in good faith review a wing produced by any chain that specializes in pizza. Wings that are 40 minutes old and delivered in a cardboard box is just wrong. Secondly, I left out two locally famous wing joints. For the record, I love having a tall beer and a plate of wings from Roosters or Frickers. I enjoy both equally. But…for this quest, I went to the little spots.
Today I am talking Dayton’s best wings, my favorites. A place where you can always get a great wing. The best if you will. Here’s where I land in my quest for the best of Dayton chicken wings.
1035 South Main Street
Centerville, Ohio 45458
Dayton Dragons Plaza
329 E. First St.
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Lock 27 is making magic one wing at a time. These are smoked. Deep-fried and full of flavor unmatched in Dayton. These aren’t the 10-cent wings of your college days. Crispy, but insanely tender and makes you wish you got two orders. The hot option comes in habanero peach and the mild option is a dry rub full of flavor without the heat. Lock 27 doesn’t stop there. They are making the bleu cheese dressing by hand with a little sriracha for an extra kick.
Grab one of their beers to accompany. Nothing better to wash down an order of these wings.
1001 S. Main St.
Englewood, OH 45322
These guys are more than brisket and pulled pork. Two reasons to make the drive north. Company 7 is smoking these wings in a wet marinade and then deep-frying to perfection when you order. These guys look like a standard naked wing until you take a bite. It’s the crispy fried wing you wish for with a smokey back-end you normally only get from a good slice of brisket or smoked pulled pork. The wing is one of a kind and is fall off the bone perfection so nothing is wasted.
Like Lock 27 you have options for beer to pair. Compnay 7 keeps 25 tabs of craft beers all the time. These wings are bold in flavor and will stand up to your favorite IPA or Dark Ale.
1443 N. Detroit
Xenia, OH
I like options. Nicks is a joint older than the chicken wing for which they’ve become famous. When I say options I mean options. Nicks offers their wings breaded or naked (no breading is my preference) and you can enjoy 14 different sauces.
Fire in ya Hole | Nick’s Secret Sweet Hot Damn | Original Hot | Spicy Garlic | Asian Cajun | General Zen’s | On The Fence | Sissy Sauce | Sweet Bourbon BBQ | Sweet BBQ | Sweet-n-Sour | Honey Mustard | Mild | Nick’s Dry Rub
I split my order between Original Hot and Sweet Bourbon BBQ. The BBQ is sticky and sweet with a hint of bourbon to keep it exciting. I like the hot with Bleu Cheese dressing. It’s the way the Anchor Bar intended.
Bonus…order your favorite wings with a waffle. Just try it. Something crazy good about a hot wing and a syrup-covered waffle and Nick’s does it right.
Archers9496 Dayton-Lebanon Pike,
Centerville, OH 45458
2030 East Dorothy Lane,
Kettering, OH 45420
The World’s 2nd Best Wings. That’s how Archers bills them. These wings are huge and tasty. This is my go-to here in Kettering for a quick lunch. Available in Mild, Hot, Archer’s Style, Destroyer, Sweet BBQ, Hickory BBQ, and Chipotle BBQ. You guessed it, I get mine with the hot and always get the celery and bleu cheese. These are lightly breaded and deep fried. No tricks. Just good chicken with great flavor.
Keeping up with the theme of great wings and beer, Archer’s is no slouch in the beer area. They have 20 rotating taps but I stick with the Archer’s Ale. I’m a creature of habit and a good hoppy ale seems to work with the oil carried spice of a deep-fried wing.
703 Watervliet Ave
Dayton, OH 45420
Dayton, OH 45420
I love this place. A) Everyone is treated like a local and B) the food is as fantastic as the service. I love these wings. Naked. Fried right. Big. Meaty. The hot option is just perfect. It’s worth noting that these wings come in under $10.00 and that is a deal in this post-pandemic chicken wing economy. Plenty of local beers on tap and plenty more craft beers by the bottle/can.
Here are a few more spots to get great wings in Dayton:
A very traditional wing that never leaves you disappointed. Cooked perfectly.
Hard to beat the prices here. If you are wanting 10, order 15. Thank me later.
This is a great pub that happens to have fantastic wings, and gyros, Reubens, burgers, and a bevy of deep-fried bar goodness. Try the wings first. Then go back again and again.
Go ahead. Tell me. Where should I be getting great wings here in Dayton that didn’t make the list?
P.S.
COccasionally I make my own wings at home. I’m gonna share a secret with you. I have found the best recipe for getting my wings to restaurant quality. Alton Brown makes it easy for anyone to make at home, no deep fryer needed.
Enjoy this article? Check out Bryan’s other Quests:
Quest for the Best: PhoQuest For The Best: Gyro
Quest for the Best: Biscuits and Gravy
Quest for Dayton’s Best: Lasagna
Local Chef In Finals of National Cooking Competition
This pint sized chef is a finalist in a K-12 National Cooking Competition. Audrey Creighton is one of five finalists in this nationwide competition that will air on July 28 (12p ET) via livestream.
This Oakwood resident got the cooking bug during the pandemic, when she found a cookbook created by her Great Grandmother. There were over 200 old school Italian recipes and Audrey challenged herself to make 50 of them. And she did, from crab meat tortellini, biscotti, lasagna and 47 more meals. Her large family also loved this challenge as they got to enjoy the end results. Audrey also launched a website to document the meals she was making.
After making it through her first challenge, she decided to use her family travels to inspire her further, taking on new cuisines. She calls this her Bon Voyage challenge and explains, “I choose a place that I have traveled to and then, I choose a dish I had there and I recreate it!” She was able to take a cooking class in Spain, treated her mom to a pasta class for Mother’s Day and attended some local nosh-ups for more ideas. Her father, Sean Crieghton says what impresses him the most about Audrey’s cooking is her calm demeanor in the kitchen and admits she is indeed the best cook in the family. Her favorite thing to cook is salmon and she explains, “its because there are so many ways to infuse flavor into it.” She’s even experimented with some molecular gastronomy making chocolate noodles, vinegar pearls and balsamic lemon foam. She says her favorite restaurant is Nanyea, the Ethiopian eatery on North Dixie.
As part of her virtual schooling, her counselor suggested she enter the Virtual Cooking Competition put on by Stride. She was one of five chosen and the youngest to advance to the finals which will air this Wednesday. Here are the rules she has to follow:
Competitors will have 30 minutes to create a meal for one using this list of ingredients + any pantry staples:
– at least one green ingredient
– an ingredient that starts with a “C”
– an ingredient from the freezer
– a source of protein
– at least three spices that are not salt or pepper
Let’s all tune in and wish her well! And hope we’ll be lucky enough to have her cook for us someday. You can keep up with her cooking by subscribing to her newsletter. But Audrey insists this is just a hobby, her career goals are to become a lawyer and then a Senator.
Summer Restaurant Week Returns!
Twice a year local restaurants pull together 3 course menu’s for Restaurant Week. This summer’s week kicks off tonight, thought many restaurants aren’t open until Tuesday. Due to staffing shortages, some of our local eateries are not participating this summer, but for those that are, check out the menu’s:
Amber Rose
Tues, July 27th – Sat, July 31st
1400 Valley St, Dayton (937) 228-2511
First Course
Pot Roast Poutine
Pub Fries Topped with Cream Cheese, House Made Pot Roast & Gravy
Salad Course
Seven Layer Salad
Entrée Course
Blueberry BBQ Ribs – 25.21
Blueberry BBQ Baby Back Ribs with Jalapeno Bacon White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
Grilled Halibut – 30.21
Grilled and Topped with Pineapple Salsa with Tuscan Vegetables
Bunkers Sports Bar & Grill
893 E National Rd, Vandalia (937) 890-8899
Dinner for 2 $20.21 – appetizer to share and 12″ traditional pizza with up to 4 topping
Dinner for 2 $25.21
Choice 1: appetizer to share and two orders of chicken chunks
Choice 2: appetizer to share and any two quesidilla’s
Carver’s Steaks and Chops
1535 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Centerville (937) 433-7099
Your choice soup of the day or Romaine Salad, Spinach Salad, Mixed Greens Salad, Caesar Salad
$25.21 Entrée Selections
BBQ Salmon
Fresh wild-caught Scottish Salmon fillet
with our sweet house BBQ sauce
Prime Rib
7 oz. rubbed with our house herb crusted then slow
roasted overnight – a Carvers specialty
New York Strip Steak
8 oz. grain-fed hand-cut steak with our
house blend steak seasoning
$30.21 Entrée Selections
Prime Rib & Shrimp
7 oz. rubbed house herb crusted then slow roasted
topped with three large shrimp, scampi style
Filet Oscar
6 oz. hand-cut filet mignon topped
with crab meat, béarnaise & asparagus
Dessert Selections: Crème Brûlée Or Chocolate Mousse
Chappy’s Social House
3 course meal $25.21
Corn Chowder
Choice of entree with 2 sides: 1/2 slab BBQ Ribs, 2 pork chops, beer batterd cod, mahi mahi, sirloin steak, boneless chicken breast, cajun fried shrimp, chicken and waffles, 4 piece fried chicken, bourbon barrel glazed salmon,
Chappy’s chocolate Texas sheet cake
or
Cole slaw
Chappy’s Cajun Shrimp boil
Chappy’s chocolate Texas sheet cake
Chop House
menu tba
elé Bistro & Wine Bar
3680 Rigby Rd., Austin Landing, Miamisburg. (937) 384-2253
Tues, July 27 to Sat 31 – Restaurant week will only be for dinner service starting @ 3pm
First Course: Summer Corn Buddha Bowl- Blistered Corn, Quinoa, Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, Arugula, and Burrata Cheese dressed in Creamy Lemon Vinaigrette and topped with Crispy Fried Beets
OR
Bulgogi Beef Tacos- with Marinated Flank Steak, Kimchi, Sesame Cucumbers and Sriracha Aioli in Flour Tortillas
Second Course: Pan Seared Tiger Shrimp over Summer Corn Risotto with Mascarpone and Crispy Brussel Sprouts
OR
Summer Bolognese- Bucatini Pasta in a Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce with White Wine, Fresh Basil, Pecorino Cheese, Ground Chicken, and a Touch of Cream
Third Course- Chocolate Shortcake with Warm Strawberry Rhubarb Compote, Cream Cheese Whip and Fresh Strawberries
OR
House Lemon Tart with Raspberry Sauce, Creme Anglaise and Fresh Berries
Figlio
424 East Stroop Rd, Kettering. 937-534-0494
Menu tba
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. 3 course dinner $35
Quest for $10 Lunch Downtown
Affordable housing. That’s the supposed guarantee that redevelopment doesn’t become gentrification. It’s a promise that there will be affordable housing so normal people can live in or near the newly redeveloped hip spaces that cost more than the suburbs.
I want that for food.
Affordable dining. With the introduction of “nicer” dining in downtown, Jollity, the Biscuit place, Sueno, and others, the hunt for a good lunch under $10 downtown are becoming scarce. Even that little Chinese buffet is almost $10 now for what is a less than stellar lunch buffet.
So, in good faith, here is my list of best lunches downtown for under $10.
Carmen’s Deli (Stratocache Tower)
Carmen’s Deli Falafael Gyro for $7.95. I eat this at least once a month. No sides are necessary. With all the fresh veggies on top of that pita and crumbled Falafel, you can skip the chips or salad.
Benjamin’s The Burger Master (North Main)
Beans and Cornbread with a wing or two at Benjamin’s Burger Master. If southern/soul food isn’t your thing, you can score a burger and fries well south of $10 there. It’s on Main street and delightful every time.
Blind Bob’s (Oregon District)
Blind Bobs for a BLT and chips. Again, no-frills, just a great sandwich for a great price. When it’s colder I go for the Grilled Cheese with a cup of chili (or the pickle soup). You are still out the door for under $10.
Taqueria Garcia Mobil
7 Huffman Ave, Dayton, OH 45403 (937) 554-8196 (calling ahead speeds things up)
Tacos are $2.50 each now, but three will fill you up, leaving room for a can of cola and you’ve just had the best tacos for under $9.00. I like the chicken and chorizo mix or I get the steak. Get the street taco with cilantro and onion, skip the cheddar, lettuce, and sour cream. This ain’t Taco Bell.
Falb’s Restaurant (Over by Children’s Hospital)
If you have a minute for a short drive out of the business district, and you want a burger, or breaded pork tenderloin, with onion rings and a Coke for less than $8, get to Falb’s. Eat like a king for under $10 there. Check their daily specials.
Canal Street Arcade and Deli
My final go-to when I can’t break the bank is the Club sandwich, half size, at Canal Street Deli. Grab a bag of chips and lunch is completed for about $9.00. My bar tab usually ruins this. A beer while you wait, a beer with lunch, cancel your one o’clock, and get another beer while you play a quick round of Golden Tee while heading to the door. Allegedly.
Where are you finding a bargain for lunch? Let us know in the comments.
5 Course Wine Dinner at Salar
Chef Margot has planned five summery courses featuring seared Mahi, crab cakes, Maple Leaf Farms duck, lamb and more.
We’ll start it off by sipping some Toad Hollow Risque Sparkling and finish with none other than Altos Las Hormigas “Terror Valle de Uco” Cabernet Franc.
Ohio Bottle Lottery For Weller 12
Ohio Liquor is conducting an online lottery to give as many Ohioans as possible a chance to purchase a bottle of Weller 12 Bourbon for $39.98 plus tax. You can enter to win a chance to buy a bottle here.
The lottery runs from July 19 to July 26. Entries will be accepted for the lottery beginning at 12:01 a.m. on July 19. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on July 26. Please note: you are only eligible to win the right to purchase one bottle.
The cis limited to one entry per person. There is no cost to enter. Winners have the right to purchase one bottle at retail. Bottles are for personal use, not for resale. Bottles available for purchase will be determined by Division of Liquor Control staff. Entrants must be at least 21 years old and an Ohio resident to enter and win. Entrants acknowledge that their information becomes a public record subject to possible public release under Ohio’s public records law. Winners will be notified in August. Winners must purchase their bottle by August 23, 2021, or risk forfeiting the ability to purchase.
Miamisburg Tavern Completes Rebrand
To better reflect its niche as a restaurant, pub, and live music destination, OinkADoodleMoo & Brew has completed its branding transition to “Steve & Tammy’s Tavern on Byers”.Located in the space occupied for decades by Byers Inn and then Dark Horse Tavern at 209 Byers Road in Miamisburg, Steve & Tammy’s Tavern is owned by longtime restaurant owner, Steven Meyer, and named to recognize his wife, Tammy. Meyer is the owner of OinkADoodleMoo BBQ, which has two quick-service restaurants in Clayton and Kettering. He bought the center where the tavern is housed in 2020 and debuted his tavern concept.
Owners Tammy & Steve
“OinkADoodleMoo BBQ has built-in loyalty and name recognition, so initially we called it OinkADoodleMoo & Brew,” Meyer said. “The name didn’t illustrate the destination’s variety as a tavern with food, live music, a full bar, and entertainment like darts, music bingo, billiards, video games, and Keno; so we felt it was the right time to complete the new brand and the new name.”
The venue features the BBQ of OinkADoodleMoo, along with a wide selection of pizzas, appetizers, and soon burgers, and tacos. Applewood smoked wings, BBQ brisket pizza, pulled pork salad and signature item like ribs, bacon-wrapped pork loin kabobs, are among the menu items.
It also showcases craft beer from local breweries and a full-service bar with domestic beers, wines, and spirits. Steve & Tammy’s Tavern is developing a following for its live music, dart leagues, billiards, and Keno, too, Meyer said. Every Tuesday night they host music bingo at 7pm and Wednesday night is trivia night.
The tavern offers tables service and is family friendly. There is seating for 225, including about 150 in the dining room. The private loft space is perfect setting for your next event. Whether its formal, casual, or something in-between, we got the perfect “event” space for you. Best of all, its FREE!
Meyer developed OinkADoodleMoo in 2009 with the opening of an Englewood restaurant that later relocated to the Randolph Plaza in Clayton. He has a wealth of restaurant experience, serving as one of the first franchisees of Penn Station East Coast Subs, Managing Partner of Longhorn Steakhouse, and area developer for Cici’s Pizza.
OinkADoodleMoo’s award-winning barbecue is slow-smoked in house over an applewood fire. Pulled pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket and brisket tip “SAMMICHES” are served on a sweet and buttery brioche bun. The St. Louis-style ribs are dry rubbed with a blend of fresh spices, smoked for up to five hours and finished with smoky sweet sauce, which is available in bottles.
Steve & Tammy’s Tavern represents Meyer’s vision for a comprehensive food and entertainment venue that attracts families, couples, friends, business meetings and special-occasion parties.
“There is something for everyone here, whether you want to bring the family in for dinner, gather for happy hour or listen to live music with friends, play darts and other games, or host an event or party,” Meyer said. “The barbeque is still a focus, but it is only one of the attractions.”
Steve & Tammy’s Tavern on Byers
209 Byers Road
Miamisburg, OH 45342
(937) 388-8160
Hours:
Mon – Thurs 11am – 9pm
Fri & Sat 11am – 11pm
Sun 11am – 8pm
Online Ordering: www.stevestavern.com
Warped Wing To Launch Bottled Soda Brand
The newly forged Warped Wing Soda Co. will soon be releasing a non-alcoholic, gluten-free, and caffeine-free root beer. The root beer is made with real cane sugar and will be available in 6pk 12oz bottles. The soda will be released to retail partners and will also be available at the Warped Wing Taproom in Dayton and the Warped Wing Barrel Room & Smokery in Springboro.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Nick Bowman, VP/Sales & Marketing and Managing Partner at Warped Wing. “We have been testing our housemade root beer as a draught only offering for a few years with tremendous success and now we have the
opportunity to offer it as a bottled option to our valued customers. We have seen a growing demand for a true craft soda and we are proud to be part of this category,” said Bowman.
The launch of the new soda brand will coincide with a partnership with Graeter’s Ice Cream. A special collaborative root beer float has been developed to bring both of these craft brands together and will be exclusively offered at both Warped Wing locations beginning Friday, July 23rd. The Dayton area Graeter’s Ice Cream shops will have bottles of root beer available for carryout as well as a special root beer float package available for delivery the following week. Additional venues for this collaboration are still in development, such as a “Movie Night” inspired float where families can enjoy a night on the lawn at Wright Station across from the Barrel Room & Smokery. More information will be forthcoming as details come together.The root beer will start hitting the market the week of July 26th and you can find it at your favorite local accounts that carry Warped Wing products. “We also have other flavors in the development stage but we are going all in on root beer out of the gate,” said Nick Bowman. “We see this eventually becoming a portfolio of sodas to satisfy a wide variety of palates.”
All You Can Eat Chocolate Party
After a year off due to the pandemic, Bellbrook Chocolates is bringing back their All You Can Eat Chocolate Party on Saturday, September 25th. You’ll be invited into the Candy Kitchen and will have the opportunity to taste all the chocolate they make.
There will be a Chocolate Painting demonstration at 7:30pm. Water, coffee and complimentary wine available. TICKETS are limited and can be purchased at Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe, Bellbrook Chocolates at the 2nd Street Market, online or at their booth at the 2nd Street Market (which reopens this Saturday). Be warned this event does sell out!
Cross Pointe Centre
101 E. Alex-Bell Road
Centerville, OH 45459
(937) 436-5066
Monday – Wed 10am – 7pm
Thursday & Friday 9am – 7pm
Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday noon – 4pm
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Fair Food Elevated
Visitors to the Montgomery County Fair are going to have some choices to make when it comes to lunch and dinner.
Grumpy’s BBQ and their chopped brisket!
Sure, you can find funnel cakes and all manner of fried foods and frozen drinks, but did you know that Gourmet Corndogs are a thing? I found awesome bbq today with Grumpy’s BBQ. They are local, came down from Greenville and they are serving up some awesome chopped brisket, more than the bun could handle. With a half dozen sauces, pickles, peppers and onions, you can top it the way you like. Big sandwich, big dring and slaw, $10.00.
Two soft tacos from Taco Depot
Tacos at a fair? Yes indeed. Taco Depot from Bellefontaine (pronounced Bell Fountain) Ohio are serving up pretty loaded soft tacos for $3.00. A great lunch that won’t break the bank. They invited me back for a wet burrito. Imagine a burrito made with beef and beans, then rolled, then covered in nacho cheese sauce? Get an extra napkin and carry that thing to a picnic table to eat with a fork.
Back to that gourmet Corndog. I’ve got my eye on the Reuben corndog from Bite Me, find this yellow truck and go fancy with your next corndog. No matter what you want, you are sure to find it. Soul food, fried pork tenderloins, deep fried desserts, you’ll find it all at the fair. Now through Saturday night!
Bite Me
Fifth Street Brewpub Announces New Brewmaster
Fifth Street Brewpub’s founding Brewmaster, Darren Link, retired after nine years of brewing some truly creative and tasty beers for this co-op owned brewery.
Today they’ve announced that Jon Naghski will be the new head brewer. Jon has spent the last nine years working for Goose Island Beer Company. Most recently he served as the Head Brewer at the original Goose Island Clybourn location in Chicago.
General manager Tonya Brock says, “as we continue to grow into the next chapter of the Brewpub’s story, we look forward to having Jon Naghski on board. His years of experience and skill will help us continue to build our solid legacy through fine-tuned beers and maximized production. Jon’s tenure with an international branded brewery has grown his longing to re-connect with the community of drinkers we serve. This combined with his passion of all things beer will only add to our storytelling from ingredients to last drop in the glass. As a co-op, we have always found purpose in sharing a place where stories are made and shared with our community…around a pint of beer.”
As Jon says, “I am impressed by the strong bones that the community continues to build with Fifth Street and am excited to meet people and make some beer.”
A special Meet the Brewer & Annual Hop Picking Party is scheduled for Wednesday, 8/18 5-7pm.
1600 E 5th St
Dayton, OH 45403
(937) 443-0919
Tuesday – Thursday 4-1opm
Friday & Saturday noon-10pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm
