While in Youngstown, OH, I thought that I might be able to find some craft beer downtown. Ohio craft beer. Local craft beers.
Drinking More Ohio Craft Beers
I was not disappointed. Not one tiny little bit. You know why not? Because I found the Whistle and Keg.
The Whistle and Keg is not a brewery. They are a craft beer bar with a unique concept. I’ve only seen something like this joint in Alton, IL. The place in Alton is called the Germania Brew House. Germania offers coffee and some other goodies too.
Back to Whistle and Keg
Whistle and Keg is a self-serve craft beer bar. There is no bartender. They have a person at the counter. This host, for lack of a better term, will run your credit card and then give you a wristband with a “token” on it that is virtually connected to your credit card and Whistle and Keg’s point of sale system. Then they send you 
o the taps.
At Whistle and Keg, you walk up a set of steps and along one wall is a long row of taps. By placing the token on your wristband against the designated spot by the tap, the tap is “activated” and you can pour yourself a sample or more of your craft beer of choice.
Self Serve Craft Beer
The cost of the amount you pour is automatically recorded. Each tap has a digital screen on the wall above it which displays the amount you pour, the cost, and your total so far.
The screen, prior to your pour, displays the name of the craft beer, the name of the brewery, the location of the brewery, what type of beer it is, the cost per ounce, the ABV, and the IBU.
They had a pretty damn good selection of beers from both Ohio and nationwide. There were even several wine and cider taps for those, shudder the thought, who didn’t want to drink craft beer.
Hop JuJu
I had a couple of faves. I really enjoyed Fat Head’s Hop Juju. It is an Imperial IPA. Hit me like a flavor bursting, balanced Hop bomb!
Rye Hipster Brunch Stout
Another favorite was Odd Side Ales Rye Hipster Brunch Stout. It had a nice upfront Chocolate flavor but was not overwhelming, it was Creamy, Sweet And Tasty!
After hitting the Whistle and Keg and finishing my gigs and tour in Ohio, I’m back home. Time to start checking out the craft beer scene here on the home front!
John Johnson
John “Big John” Johnson is a serial fun seeker, a lover of craft beer, and enjoys all things adult beverage related. A dedicated online marketer and SEO, he has been described as “Peter Pan with German Work Ethic”. John is also a sleight of hand magician with serious chops, enjoys riding Harleys, practicing martial arts and travel.
