Dayton cannot seem to get enough local craft beer.
Starting back in 2013, Dayton began a brewing renaissance that has shown zero signs of slowing down.
Dayton has seen some of its brewing giants expand locations and/or add canning and distribution to other establishments and retail stores locally and regionally. And we’ve seen growth in brewing spread to more and more suburbs as well, with new brewery openings each year.
One of the kings of Dayton beer is Warped Wing Brewing Company. Warped Wing just celebrated six years and was named Best Local Brewery again in the 2019-20 Best of Dayton.
BEST OF DAYTON WINNERS BY CATEGORY IN 2019-20
>> Bars, Beer & Nightlife winners
>> Arts, Music & Entertainment winners
>> Shopping & Services winners
>> Fitness, Outdoors & Recreation winners
>> Winners in the 10 most popular Best of Dayton categories
🥇WINNER: Warped Wing Brewing Company
Warped Wing has been a success story from day one and has been one of the pioneers in Dayton’s craft beer renaissance.
Warped Wing opened its doors in January 2014 with a full production and canning facility and began self-distributing to retailers right away.
Less than a year after it opened, the brewery signed a lease on a second facility north of downtown to accommodate the stronger-than-projected sales of its beers, both in kegs and in pint cans for retail sales. A restaurant inside the brewery opened in 2015.
Hometown pride and Dayton history are an integral part of the Warped Wing brand. The Warped Wing name pays homage to the famous invention by the Wright brother’s called “wing warping.” One of Warped Wing’s top-selling beers, Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale, is named in honor of Ermal Fraze, a local resident who invented the pull-top can in 1959. The top-selling Trotwood Lager is named after Trotwood Trailers, a local company that manufactured unique camping trailers in Dayton for over six decades.
Warped Wing has been voted the top Dayton brewery for three consecutive years and has been in the top three for all five years of the Best of Dayton contest.
MORE INFO:
What's on tap right now? | Year-round beers and seasonal beers | Where to find Warped Wing beers in stores
26 Wyandot St., Dayton | 937-222-7003 | Website | Facebook
🥈SECOND PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery
Yellow Springs Brewery takes pride in offering refreshing brews and capturing the spirit of its hometown of Yellow Springs with an eclectic display of art. The brewery is located in a historic 19th-century industrial building that once housed a cannery and seed company. It also is conveniently located near the Little Miami Bike Trail and a perfect stop after a ride.
Now more than 100 area establishments serve its beer.
MORE INFO:
305 N. Walnut St., Yellow Springs | 937-767-0222 | Website | Facebook
🥉THIRD PLACE: Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
Crooked Handle in Springboro’s Settlers Walk started as a home-brewing adventure between friends and has since become on of the region’s fastest growing breweries.
Since its launch in 2015, Crooked Handle has added wine and ciders, canning and expanded its production capacity to provide its popular brews to other restaurants and retail outlets.
MORE INFO:
760 N Main St, Springboro | 937-443-0919 | Website | Facebook
PAST BEST OF DAYTON BEST LOCAL BREWERY WINNERS:
🍺2018
WINNER: Warped Wing
2nd PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery
3rd PLACE: Fifth Street Brewpub
🍺2017
WINNER: Warped Wing Brewing Company
2ND PLACE: Hairless Hare Brewery
3RD PLACE: Yellow Springs Brewery
🍺2016
WINNER: Hairless Hare Brewery
2ND PLACE: Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
3RD PLACE: Warped Wing Brewing Company
🍺2015
WINNER: Yellow Springs Brewery
2ND PLACE: Hairless Hare Brewery
3RD PLACE: Warped Wing Brewery
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