Cheers to History
One of a Kind Historic Brewery Tours to originate from Moerlein Lager House
The non-profit Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC), operators of The Brewing Heritage Trail, announced it is offering guided tours of Cincinnati’s brewing heritage starting from the Moerlein Lager House, Cincinnati’s world-class brewpub. The walking tours will travel through Over-the-Rhine and feature former breweries, saloons, lagering cellars, and tunnels that were all part of the history of beer making in the city. The walking tours will utilize the Cincinnati Streetcar, transporting guests from the Moerlein Lager House to the Brewery District and back.
“Beer helped build this city and the stories of those days still resonate today,” said Steve Hampton, executive director of the Brewery District CURC. “These tours make our brewing heritage come alive.” “The Moerlein connection to Cincinnati’s Grand Brewing Traditions are celebrated at the Moerlein Lager House and we are excited to partner with the Brewery District’s Brewing Heritage Trail to offer guest a one of a kind experience only found in Cincinnati,” said Greg Hardman Managing Member of the Moerlein Lager House.
Tours scheduled throughout the week include:
“Built on Beer” Tour: Witness the evolution of the brewing industry through the size, complexity, and architectural grandeur of the city’s historic breweries. This more than 90-minute tour follows the Brewing Heritage Trail and marvels at the many remaining 19th and early 20th century structures, while sharing stories of those who built or doomed these brewing empires during beer’s industrial revolution. Tours include a visit into the vast subterranean lager cellars of the historic (non-operating) Jackson Brewery.
“Brewers & Barons” Tour: Step into the past and discover the people who made brewing a cornerstone of the Queen City’s history. This more than 90 minute tour follows the Brewing Heritage Trail, sharing stories of the workers, brewmasters and beer barons from the 19th and early 20th century. Experience the places they worked, learn the dangers they faced, and the empires they built by producing America’s best brews. Tours include a visit into the subterranean lagering cellars and tunnels of the historic (non-operating) Schmidt Brothers / Crown Brewery.
“Brunch, Beer, & Breweries” Tour: This four-hour tour includes a beer tasting and takes a behind-the-scenes tour of the brewpub and the rich history showcased at the Moerlein Lager House. After brunch, catch a streetcar to the Brewery District and walk along the Brewing Heritage Trail, learning about Cincinnati’s grand brewing history, complete with a visit into a subterranean lagering cellar of the historic (non-operating) Jackson Brewery. Then, proceed to a neighborhood taproom for our next round of beer tastings before riding the streetcar back to the Moerlein Lager House. Tour includes beer samples and brunch.
For a complete schedule of tours, times, and tickets, visit www.brewingheritagetrail.org/tours
Tours have been adjusted to keep guests safe by keeping groups sizes small, adhering to current pandemic protocols, spending the majority of the tour outdoors, and having all guides and guests wear masks. There is also an option for an outdoor only tour.
About Brewery District CURC
The non-profit Brewery District CURC is the organizer of the historic brewery tours and started the first large-scale heritage tour program in Over-the-Rhine in 2006. It is a non-profit organization committed to making Cincinnati’s historic Brewery District a healthy, balanced and supportive neighborhood economy by preserving, restoring and redeveloping our unique brewing history and historic urban fabric through projects like the Brewing Heritage Trail.