Final details have been released on the $4 million
Moerlein Lager House on Cincinnati's riverfront that will include seating for approximately 1,100 people inside and outdoors in its biergartens. Once complete in August 2011, visitors will be treated to food found on the menus of Over-the-Rhine's 19th Century biergartens, the largest collection of Cincinnati craft brews and a unique setting on Cincinnati's central riverfront all while learning a little about Cincinnati's rich brewing heritage.
"We're trying to put Cincinnati beer and its brewing heritage on the map, and we're well on our way thanks to a lot of community and civic support," said Greg Hardman, President & CEO of
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. "Without the support of a lot of people, we would not be bringing this great establishment to Cincinnati's riverfront."
The Moerlein Lager House is expected to produce 5,000 barrels of beer annually. Hops and barley, critical ingredients in the beer making process, will also be grown in the Hop Garden outside where guests will be able to sit around a fire pit overlooking
Cincinnati Riverfront Park, the Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and other riverfront landmarks.
Hardman also says that the Moerlein Lager House will be connected to historic Over-the-Rhine through the
Cincinnati Streetcar which is scheduled to start construction in fall 2010 and begin operations approximately one year after the brewpub opens.
"The streetcar is a great vehicle that will enhance development and link us to Over-the-Rhine and
Uptown," Hardman said. "When you can hook up a world-class park with the University of Cincinnati, and everything in between, it will be a great economic driver. While the streetcar was not the only factor in our decision making process, it was certainly one of the reasons we wanted to locate in both of these areas."
Inside the Moerlein Lager House, guests will be treated to rooms themed around Cincinnati's past breweries that will include information about where the breweries were located and the beer barons responsible for the product. Hardman hopes that once people tour the rooms inside the Moerlein Lager House they will want to see the real thing in Over-the-Rhine's Brewery District, including
Christian Moerlein's new brewery facility on pace to begin beer production in early 2011.
"The design of the Moerlein Lager House and future brewery is to link Cincinnati's brewing heritage to the riverfront and vice versa," Hardman explained.
The interior of the brewpub will feature a two-story brick wall that uses reclaimed bricks from some of those historic local breweries in Over-the-Rhine. Even utilizing historic materials, the new brewpub is expected to achieve LEED certification and include a geothermal heating and cooling system
The 15,000 square-foot Moerlein Lager House will be open Sunday through Wednesday from 11am to midnight, and 11am to 2am Thursday through Saturday. The brewpub will feature the largest collection of heritage Cincinnati beers anywhere including Hudepohl, Shoenling, Burger, Moerlein and others.
Writer:
Randy A. SimesImages ProvidedStay connected by following Randy on Twitter
@UrbanCincy
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