Rhinegeist was quite a surprise. No one in our party had spent any time in Cincinnati and we just blew into town to hit a few brew pubs before heading out. The name Rhinegeist conjured German lagers in our heads, so we found our way. The neighborhood is a bit run down, older, graffiti on the walls, so we were unsure of what to think as we pulled into the parking lot across the street from the huge building they are in. After climbing several sets of stairs, walls littered with stickers of all kinds, we could hear the buzz of patrons enjoying themselves. You come into a large open area lit with natural light from windows on the ceiling and a world full of beer and festivity. To the left you can see the stainless-steel vats of deliciousness, to the right a huge big screen television with ample seating. In front of you, an open area with people playing bean bags or cornhole if that suits you better. It is impressive in its scope from the outset. Off to the left is a neon sign that beckons you, Beer. The building is over 100 years old and the neighborhood is called, Over-the-Rhine, hence part of the name. Geist, in German, means ghost and is a nod to the German heritage of Cincinnati.
We found the beer and had an Antelope, which is a amber lager and a Cheetah, which is a lager as well. I heard people on the roof from the street, so I figured there was a rooftop and after finding and climbing another set of stairs, I found a modern open rooftop bar and lots of seating. It was just the place for a perfect evening in the Queen City. The beer menu had no less than 28 beers on tap. The Antelope is light and malty and has an IBU of only 7. It was easy to drink, but maybe too light for my tastes. It was good, but not memorable. The Cheetah is a rice-based malt beer that is light and simple. IBU of 6. I never did get a review from the drinker, so I don't currently know his thoughts. After reviewing their list, I regret not having the Crumb Cake, a red ale with vanilla and cinnamon in it. Also, their IPA, Truth, which is one of their original beers, was one worth trying. We only had one beer each as we needed to get moving, the sun was setting and we had no lodging. All in all, Rhinegeist is a great place for gathering and if you live in Cinncy or are just passing through, you need to check them out. High marks for the setting and repurposing of the historic building. The beer selection needs much more research as they have a lot of offerings. They have a cider and a good selection of RVBevs, which are hard-crafted beverage. Not a beer, nor a seltzer, they are unique, fruity drinks that should be sampled. The rooftop was top-notch and I could see making Rhinegeist a mainstay if I spent any more time there. I did buy a t-shirt, if that says anything, as it is my signal of endorsement.
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