Cartridge Brewing Secures Its Place as a Hub for Award-winning Beer and Outstanding Pub Fare

From Cartridge Brewing:

Maineville, OH—Just three months after its grand opening within Kings Mills’ historic Peters Cartridge Factory, Cartridge Brewing is making an impact on the beer and brewery scene – winning hearts, minds and accolades alike in the Lebanon and Loveland surrounding communities and further afield into Dayton, downtown and beyond.

The area’s newest brewpub has already become a favorite stomping ground for friends and family alike, establishing itself as a go-to drinking and dining destination that offers elevated but approachable food, craft cocktails and curated wines, and of course, a deep and varied beer selection brewed on-site – all within a space that’s both historically captivating and able to offer safe, spacious and socially distant seating.

“It’s amazing how everything came together … and continues to do so now that we’re open,” says Kyle Hackbarth, Cartridge Brewing co-founder and COO. “Don’t get me wrong, we worked very hard to get to this point, especially being located on a historic site with deep ties to this area, and especially during a pandemic. Every choice we made, every hurdle we handled, it was all very deliberate and carefully thought out. We haven’t taken anything for granted.” 

Among the keys to Cartridge Brewing’s success was their early decision to stray from the typical big-production mega-brewery model, and focus instead on starting with a solid beer selection from its 15 BBL brewing capacity, and partnering it with a full kitchen and sit-down dining. Securing Executive Chef Jerry Johnson and General Manager Sara Haarman to helm the pub side of the brewery has ensured both great food and great service – a precedent of excellence underscored by Cartridge’s first limited-seat event on New Year’s Eve, which featured a lavish five-course meal, beer and wine pairings, live music and an elaborate 90s décor and theme.

“We wanted to do something where people could still come out for a fun, formal event to close out the crazy year,” says Kyle. “Of course taking into account COVID restrictions and safety for all our guests and staff, but letting our chef and crew really stretch their wings for a decadent night to remember. The food, the drinks, the atmosphere … it was a huge hit, and a sign of what we’re capable of for the future.”

But like any successful brewery, the beer itself is where it all begins. To date, Head Brewer Adam Mills has crafted an impressive 21 different styles of beer, including distinctive creations like a coffee amber, tangerine blonde ale and chocolate brown ale, as well as traditional faves in a variety of stouts, ales, IPAs and most recently, a new core line of classic German lagers.

“These  beers have deep roots in our area, in the culture here in Cincinnati, in its beer-brewing history,” Adam says. “Not to mention the historic nature of our brewery, where so many people have a story to tell about their grandparents working here, or what they remember about this place when they were kids … that’s so important to us, to carry that tradition, to tap into the German roots of our area and honor it the right way.”

That commitment to history and brewing has not gone unnoticed – Cartridge’s first pale ale, Pathfinder, snagged a bronze award in the American Pale Ale category at the December 2020 Ohio Craft Brewers Cup. Likewise, Cartridge’s beer is in high demand beyond the brewery as well, currently on tap at more than two dozen outside locations including restaurants, taprooms and beer stops from Dayton to downtown. Further, the brewery is now in full canning mode, with its Classic American Pilsner, Primer, being released this week in cans exclusively at the brewery though a pre-purchase sale (via the OZNR app), with more to follow as the year progresses.

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ABOUT CARTRIDGE BREWING: Born within the historic Peters Cartridge Factory in the heart of Kings Mills and Maineville, Cartridge Brewing is a family- and veteran-owned community hub that opened in the fall of 2020. A unique brewpub located alongside the Little Miami River and bike trail, our full-service kitchen and bar offer Detroit-style pizza, BBQ, high-end features and more, as well as signature cocktails, curated wines and an extensive variety of superior craft beer – brewed on-site in the same landmark where ammunition was made in support of both World Wars. Learn more  on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to CartridgeBrewing.com

Cartridge Brewing Making a Difference, Releases Its First Impact Beer

Maineville, OH—From their earliest days of planning and prep, the team at Cartridge Brewing has always kept one goal top of mind: to find solid, successful, significant ways to make a difference … to give back to the community in which they live and work. That promise is now a reality with the release of their first Impact Beer.

An Impact Beer, at its core, is essentially a partnership with a local nonprofit – but one made distinct through a unique fundraising opportunity that raises both awareness and assistance, all through a special canned beer release. The overall goal? To sell out the whole of each Impact Beer quantity, enabling Cartridge to donate the most from the proceeds of the sale, helping each organization meet their fundraising goals.

The first of these is Radar, an American Dark Ale, honoring Capt. Seth Mitchell and in support of the Hero 5K, an annual Loveland, Ohio, race that raises funds for the Capt. Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship.

“Being a community destination means more than just being located here,” says Anthony Cook, Co-founder and Chief Development Officer. “It means being present – supporting the families and organizations that surround us. With Radar, we’re supporting the people of Loveland and its graduating seniors. Plus, Seth’s Impact Beer ties to our unique history here as well, with our location being a local factory that once made ammunition to support the military.”

A Loveland High School grad and hometown hero, Seth Mitchell was a Marine Corps captain and Cobra helicopter pilot who was killed in action in Afghanistan during his third tour of service. In an effort to celebrate Seth’s life and keep his spirit (and story) alive, his high school classmates and friends created the Capt. Seth Mitchell Hero 5K. Now in its 11th year, this annual October race raises funds for the scholarship in his name, awarded to a graduating LHS senior to help support his or her ongoing education.

“One of the things I really liked about Cartridge, one of the reasons I decided to come here, was this Impact series of beers,” says Adam Mills, head brewer. “Pubs and breweries have historically been an important component of society … where opinions were shared, families gathered, debates settled. Far too often we only see things that are problematic in our world, but this is an opportunity to do something at the local level, address local needs … where I get to contribute. It’s Cartridge engaging with the public in a different way, and that’s what I like about it.”

Radar itself was created as a nod to one of Seth’s mainstream favorites – a light and easy-drinking Bock-style beer that’s approachable and refreshing. Currently available for pre-purchase can sales through the OZNR app, Radar is scheduled to hit Cartridge’s tap by Friday, February 19, with reserved can pick-up beginning Sunday, February 21st.

Being located within a recently restored landmark – one heavily rooted in Ohio’s history – it’s no surprise that Cartridge is committed to continuing this record of influence as a community hub and a source of local support. Launching this Impact Beer series makes giving back a priority, one they’re proud to be part of.

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ABOUT CARTRIDGE BREWING: Born within the historic Peters Cartridge Factory in the heart of Kings Mills and Maineville, Ohio, Cartridge Brewing is a family- and veteran-owned community hub that opened in the fall of 2020. A unique Cincy brewpub located alongside the Little Miami River and bike trail, our full-service kitchen and bar offer Detroit-style pizza, BBQ, high-end features and more, as well as signature cocktails, curated wines and an extensive variety of superior craft beer – brewed on-site in the same landmark where ammunition was made in support of both World Wars. Learn more  on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to CartridgeBrewing.com.

ABOUT THE CAPT. SETH MITCHELL 5K: Both a race and a fundraiser, the Hero 5K has taken place every October in historic Loveland, Ohio, for more than a decade – this year will mark the 11th year of celebrating Seth’s life … and a tribute to his love for his high school hometown. Proceeds from the race go toward the Capt. Seth Mitchell Memorial Scholarship, a fund awarded to one Loveland High School senior each May to help support their goals of continuing education. Learn more at www.sethmitchellhero5k.org.