Cincinnati Brewing Heritage Trail: Craft Beer & History

Cincinnati’s Brewing Heritage Trail offers a unique way to experience the city through its rich brewing past and lively craft beer culture. Situated along the Ohio River, Cincinnati was once one of America’s largest beer-producing cities, thanks in large part to the introduction of lager beer by German immigrants in the 19th century. The Brewing Heritage Trail invites visitors to walk through neighborhoods, historic lagering tunnels, breweries, and classic saloons that reveal the city’s deep ties to brewing innovation and architecture.

This collection of tours includes the “Built on Beer” walk, which contextualizes the economic and cultural impact of brewing in Cincinnati’s development, as well as specialized bus tours like the Cincinnati Ballparks & Breweries Bus Tour that combine local baseball lore with visits to carefully selected breweries. The Over & Under the Rhine Tour provides an immersive look at the lagering tunnels carved into the hillsides around the city, a distinctive feature unique to Cincinnati. Through these experiences, visitors gain insight into how brewing shaped both the cityscape and social fabric.

Guides like Kanah, Lisa, and Jack bring stories to life with deep knowledge of brewing history, architecture, and local culture, ensuring that no two tours feel the same. Beyond beer tastings, the brewery tours incorporate the artistry and craftsmanship behind Cincinnati’s brewing resurgence, from established breweries to emerging distilleries.

Special events like Bockfest 2025’s .05K Fun "Run" and the Servatii Bockfest Beefsteak Fundraiser add a spirited community vibe. Whether visitors are beer aficionados, history buffs, or curious travelers, the Brewing Heritage Trail strikes a balance between education and entertainment. This is more than a brewery crawl—it’s an invitation to understand Cincinnati’s identity through its pioneering brewing legacy.