Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery

South Bass Island’s first brewery, the Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery is home to delicious, locally made brews that pair well with their excellent food menu. Centrally located downtown at Catawba Avenue right next to the Put-in-Bay Police Department, this popular has been open since 1996.

The Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery Details

A rotating menu of craft brews on tap delight Brewery customers all summer long. From stouts to wheat beer and IPA’s, The Put-in-Bay Brewery creates wonderful beers for a variety of palettes.

Beers on Tap

Selection changes, but here are some highlights of their incredible brews:

• South Bass Milk Stout, chocolate malt, roasted barley, and milk sugar make this stout dark and delicious
• Watermelon Wheat, an unfiltered wheat beer with a watermelon twist
• Strawberry Basil Wheat, refreshing with a perfect balance of strawberry and basil
• Raspberry Mocha Stout, chocolatey with a raspberry finish

Their beers are creative and crafty. Take the popular Pass Out Bourbon Stout for example. Their Milk Stout is combined with Kentucky Bourbon, which gives the stout and terrifically bold finish. Be careful with this one! The name says it all.

32 ounce Crowlers are now available. Select your favorite beer on tap and take a can of fresh beer home with you. Perfect for cookouts and picnics in South Bass State Park.

Along with the many beers available on tap, diners can chose from an impressive menu of burgers, salads, and entrees.

The Brewery’s Food Highlights

• Greek Pizza
• Brewery Cheese Soup
• Walleye Bites
• Perch Sandwich served on an egg bun
• Basil Pesto Chicken
• Mexicali Burger

The Brewery Cheese Soup is a favorite. Aged Cheddar is blended with their Summer’s Brew for a rich and creamy soup that goes perfectly with a, you guessed it, Summer Brew. They also feature a kid’s menu with Chicken Fries and creamy Mac ‘n Cheese.

The Put-in-Bay Brewery and Distillery History

The home of the Brewery is over one hundred years old. This handsome brick building sits on a piece of property originally owned by Valentine Doller. One of the island’s wealthiest and most influential citizens, Doller held many important positions including as the community’s third mayor.

In 1898, “Bennie” Rosenfeld constructed the first building on this site, a small wooden building that served as a dry goods stores. After being destroyed in a fire, the new owners, the Rittman Family built the building we see today. Over the years the building expanded and served a variety of functions.

Mr. Rittman originally opened his grocery store in the first portion of the house. He then opened a garage and eventually Put-in-Bay Township purchased the building for the island’s fire station.

Carl and Chris Krueger acquired the building in an auction in 1995 for the express purpose of opening a distillery. Since opening in 1996, the business expanded to include a back enclosure and open air patio. 2013 saw the addition of a beautiful new still to the already impressive collection of copper. Put-in-Bay has a long tradition of winemaking. It can finally add a distillery to its impressive history.