Brink Brewing Company — Restaurant in Cincinnati

★★★☆☆ Quality ★★★★★ Service ★★★★☆ Ambiance ★★★★★ Value ★★★★★ Menu selection ★★★★★ Location/Accessibility ★★★★★ Overall experience Date visited: 10/24/2023 In celebration of an utterly ordinary October evening, I extended an invitation to my friend MW for a leisurely outing. With her longing to explore the neighborhood gem, Brink Brewing, we embarked on an adventure. The clock read 7 PM as we commenced our journey, and a gentle autumn breeze enveloped us in its embrace. The streets, surprisingly calm for a Tuesday night, beckoned us forward on our quest. The realization that sustenance was not on the brewery's agenda prompted us to make a pit stop at a nearby pizzeria. Armed with pizza slices in hand, we entered the establishment, anticipating a relaxed and inviting night. However, upon crossing the threshold, we were met with a bustling scene – tables and the bar were alive with laughter and animated conversations. In the hunt for a suitable spot, we settled near the entrance, where a trove of empty chairs awaited our companionship. Given my abstinence from alcohol and the impending responsibility of driving, I opted for Samuel Adams Just the Haze Non-Alcoholic beer. MW, on the other hand, boldly sampled the Brinktober and later indulged in the delight of Moozie Milk Stout. While MW attended to the bar counter, I seized the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of this quaint refuge. The ambiance was an enchanting blend of darkness and warmth, with soft, ambient lighting that cast a comforting glow. The wall decorations, thoughtfully arranged, appeared almost whimsical, featuring a melange of real-life photos, whimsical cartoons, and intriguing graphics. In this cozy space, every inch was thoughtfully utilized, maximizing capacity with strategically arranged tables and chairs. The bar counter stood as the focal point, offering a glimpse into the brewing process with barrels and tanks brimming with fresh, untapped promise. Beyond, an outdoor seating area beckoned those in search of an al fresco experience. A spirited yet subdued tune played in the background, weaving a melodic tapestry that enhanced the evening's mood without intruding on conversation. We settled into our chosen corner, sharing not only food and drink but the stories of our respective journeys. I regaled MW with tales of my fresh career beginnings, while she animatedly narrated riveting moments from her sports endeavors and the captivating new hobby that had ignited her passion. Our choice of LaRossa's medium traditional-crust pizza, bedecked with succulent mushrooms and crisp green peppers, paired effortlessly with our drinks – each bite, a culinary waltz in harmony with the beverages. My non-alcoholic choice, while decent, lacked the characteristic alcoholic fervor I've known to savor. However, self-inflicted restrictions left me with no room for complaint. MW, while appreciating her two choices, displayed a sense of unimpressed sophistication, perhaps a testament to a lifetime spent indulging in high-end, exotic liquors. As we immersed ourselves in conversation, a male voice resounded in the room, introducing an engaging trivia game. The enthusiasm of the patrons was palpable, with clapping and laughter filling the air. Although MW and I were immersed in our exchange, traces of sports and music-related questions found their way to our ears, injecting an extra layer of mirth into the evening. With our drinks drained and our hunger sated, we decided to bid adieu an hour before the closing bell, yet not before I ventured to the impeccably clean restroom inside the bar. As I returned to the bustling scene, the chill of the night had set in, coaxing nocturnal creatures from their sanctuaries. With smiles and a sense of contentment, we parted separate ways. Overall, this cozy brewery, though modest in size, emerges as an excellent choice for mingling with friends and colleagues. It boasts a diverse selection of libations, making it a...

The Cincinnati brewing scene continues to grow and I am struggling to keep up with visiting all of the new options around town. One that I have visited and should be at the top of your list if you haven't is Brink Brewing Company. Brink is on Hamilton Avenue in the heart of College Hill and opened up earlier this year.

My family and I spent the better part of an afternoon here. There is a really large communal table in the center of the room that provided plenty of space for our group and another group on the other end. My wife tried a flight of beers, and let me sample them as well, while I went right for a pint of one of their three IPA's that were on tap at the time.

The tap list changes often and none of the IPA's that I sampled appear to be on the current list. Each of them were quite good, and I especially liked their Like A Boss the best. But what really stood out for me were the samples of darker beers. Their Brown Ale was one of the better that I've had and the Moozie Milk Stout seems to be a regular on the menu.

They do not have a kitchen but there are plenty of places nearby (with menus inside) for carryout or delivery. They also often have food trucks on the weekend and live music on Friday nights.

Brink is a wonderful addition to College Hill and is now one of my most highly recommended smaller...

Visited 12/27/19, so I'm a bit late on writing this review. There is a reason why this place has won has not just a few, but numerous major awards for their beers , (including several from the Great American Beer Festival). They're not just good, they're phenomenal! And as a beer geek that has had thousands of different beers from thousands of different breweries, I don't make that statement lightly. If they choose to, there is no reason why Brink Brewing couldn't become as big as New Belgium, Bell's, Stone, etc. They certainly have the brewing chops to do so! The place wasn't huge, but was big enough. I could see it getting too crowded pretty easy though. Great atmosphere and a beautiful looking taproom featuring a whole lot of wood. Wood bar, wood tables, wood walls, a few bourbon barrels sitting out, wood everywhere. There are several tables, a large bar with a lot of seating, and a small outdoor seating area, but with the popularity of this place you may want to get there early if you plan on getting a seat for more than one person. But regardless, you're going to want to visit this place if you are anywhere in the Cincinnati area. Seriously, this should be a destination brewery for anyone into craft beer! I can say with absolute certainty that I will never visit the Cincinnati area again without...