Moerlein Lager House to pay tribute to Cincinnati’s brewing heritage while anchoring its future

Final details have been released on the $4 million Moerlein Lager House that will include seating for approximately 1,100 people inside the brewpub and outdoors in its biergartens.  The new brewpub is expected to achieve LEED certification and include a geothermal heating and cooling system. Once complete in August 2011, visitors will be treated to a food menu that will feature a variety of food items often found on the menus of Over-the-Rhine’s 19th Century biergartens, the largest collection of Cincinnati craft brews, a unique setting on Cincinnati’s central riverfront, while also being treated to a history on 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 and pay tribute to Cincinnati’s brewing heritage in a number of ways.  The interior of the brewpub will feature a two-story brick wall that uses reclaimed bricks from historic local breweries in Over-the-Rhine.  Hops and barely, 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 while overlooking the Cincinnati Riverfront Park, Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and other riverfront landmarks. Hardman also says that the Moerlein Lager House will be connected to the historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood through the Cincinnati Streetcar which is scheduled to begin 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, images, and the beer barons responsible for the product.  Hardman hopes that once people tour the rooms inside the Moerlein Lager House that they will go visit the sites in Over-the-Rhine including Christian Moerlein’s new brewery facility that is on pace to begin beer production early in 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 streetcar represents a great added value to that vision.  I know I’ll be riding it between my office at the brewery in Over-the-Rhine and the Moerlein Lager House.” 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 will feature the largest collection of heritage Cincinnati beers anywhere that will include Hudepohl, Shoenling, Burger, Moerlein and others. Writer: Randy A. SimesImages Provided Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy