Making a name for themselves since opening in 2018, Branch & Bone was quickly recognized by USA Today as a “10 Best” Small Brewery in the country. Fretboard’s Director of Operations, Kevin Moreland, has a storied history with breweries in Cincinnati and had been paying close attention to the incredible liquid being brewed by Brett Smith, co-founder and head brewer of Branch & Bone. The two met in February this year at the Ohio Craft Brewers Conference in Dayton and the brainstorming for a collaboration quickly began. Both Kevin & Brett share a love for lager beer, and brewing traditional styles not commonly found in the market. After a months-long hiatus in communication, as both breweries managed business under new guidelines, the two saw Fall approaching and landed on a beer neither had ever brewed; a dark Czech lager.

On brew day, Smith sat down with Moreland for an episode of Fretboard’s interview show, FretboardTV, and explained how they landed on the name, “Dark Throne”. Inspired by a Norwegian black metal band by the same name, Smith went on to add, “We do like heavy metal a lot in our brewery. It gets us through the work day sometimes. Buckles us in.” Both sides agreed that a dark beer deserved a dark name, and with a release in October, it only amplified the spooky theme.

“Dark Throne” is a full-bodied lager, with notes of caramel, toffee, dates, and bread. The perfect transition from Marzen and Festbier for cool Fall nights. Craft beer fans can expect to find this limited release on draft and in 6-packs throughout greater Cincinnati, and in select stores in Dayton. Those who live in Ohio, but outside of the distribution range, can order the beer online (order.fretboardbrewing.com) to be shipped directly to their door.

Stay up to date with Fretboard Brewing and Branch & Bone by following them on Instagram. More big things on the way before this crazy year comes to an end!

The post Fretboard Brewing and Branch & Bone Artisan Ales team up for “Dark Throne” Collaboration appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

Known for brewing true-to-style German beers, Fretboard will be serving up steins full of their fan favorites like ‘Rockin The Rhein’ Oktoberfest and the World Beer Cup winning ‘Vlad’ Pilsner, alongside food from in-house BBQ joint Smoked Out Cincy BBQ. A special menu from Smoked Out will be available during ‘OkousticFest’, including beer brats, sauerkraut balls, a pork schnitzel sandwich, and more. Leading up to the big performance from The Cincy Brass, numerous local musicians will take the mic throughout the afternoon including, Tyler Strittmatter, 2nd Hand Smoke, Josh Ferreira, St. Mary St. Michael, Kyle Hackett Trio, Michelle Hemmer, Anna Applegate, and Chandler Carter.

Along with the festivities scheduled, Fretboard has also teamed up with their brewing neighbors, March First, and Ultra Marathoner, Andrew Suski, to raise funds for Cincinnati-based charity, ‘Neediest Kids of All’. Andrew will begin a 100 Mile run in the late hours of Friday, September 18th, on the Little Miami trail-head in Yellow Springs, passing by numerous breweries on his path to the finish line at March First in the early evening of Saturday. Fretboard will help raise awareness, and funds, for Andrew’s chosen charity, ‘Neediest Kids of All’, by donating $1 from every pint of ‘Mellowship’ India Session Pilsner sold during ‘OkousticFest’. We encourage patrons to cheer on Andrew as he passes by the brewery, and raise a cold pint of ‘Mellowship’ for a great cause! For more information on set times, please visit Fretboard Brewing’s event page on Facebook.

Neediest Kids of All’ Mission: Neediest Kids of All is a passionate not-for-profit dedicated to fighting childhood poverty by providing basic necessities, supporting mental wellness, and funding educational experiences to underprivileged school aged children in the Cincinnati Tri-State area.

About Fretboard: Brews in Tune. Located at 5800 Creek Road, Cincinnati, Fretboard Brewing Company is truly a prideful part of the Blue Ash community. An award winning brewery with 3,500 square feet of socially-distanced taproom space, and new patio & temporary beer garden, weekly live music, BBQ, and rental spaces for private events – it’s a safe bet for a good time just 15 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati.

The post Fretboard Brewing Company presents ‘OkousticFest’ appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

Following the success of its fall 2018 Rye Bier debut, as well as the award-winning Honey Wheat Lager collaboration this past summer, it was only right to keep the momentum going and reintroduce one of Fretboard’s most anticipated products – the Rye Bier, dubbed by fans as one of the best beers to pair with food.

Klosterman’s Cincinnati Dark Rye is an iconic brand in their bread lineup; a customer favorite for its subtle spice and notes of caraway. In staying true to their slogan, “The Home of Cincy Bräu”, Fretboard saw Klosterman’s rye bread as a perfect opportunity for a German-style rye lager brewed with caraway seed. The result is a wonderfully balanced, medium-bodied, copper-colored brew with an aroma that screams “fall seasonal beer” as soon as you crack a can open. Best enjoyed with cheese, bread, and red meats, Klosterman Rye Bier is the perfect companion for a charcuterie night or a local tailgate.

Fretboard and Klosterman will launch the can and draft release with a party and “Bread & Beer” themed trivia night at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15 in the Fretboard Brewing Company Blue Ash taproom at 5800 Creek Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242. The night will feature merch giveaways and BBQ specials from SmokedOut Cincy showcasing Klosterman Baking products.

Keeping things close to the community and sticking to the theme of music, Fretboard will donate $1 from every pint sold 6-8pm to the Sycamore Schools Music Boosters.

If you can’t make the official launch, be sure to join them both on Sunday, November 24 at Longworth Hall for the Bengals vs. Steelers tailgate party. Fretboard will have its Rye Bier in tow and hand out free loaves of Klosterman bread and other swag for your tailgate needs.

The post Fretboard Brewing & Klosterman Baking Team up for Rye Bier Fall Seasonal appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

The pairing of Fretboard Brewing and Whispering Beard melds grass roots movements of strong community  gatherings with the power of music and beer. Hosting live bands multiple nights a week in the taproom, Fretboard will promote the festival through a series of their own folk shows this summer, with ticket and merch giveaways for WBFF. For more information on the event, including the official lineup and start times, swing over to whisperingbeard.comAbout Fretboard:Located at 5800 Creek Road, Cincinnati, Fretboard Brewing Company is truly a prideful part of the community that beats to the sound of its own drum. With over a dozen unique beers on tap, 3,500 square feet of taproom space, weekly live music, BBQ, and private rental spaces for large events and even band rehearsals – it’s a safe bet for a good time just north of downtown Cincinnati.About Whispering Beard:Whispering Beard offers a return to what made music festivals of yesteryear radically fun and lovable. Grown in a little town called Friendship, IN the Beard provides sanctuary for the scruffy, feels more like a family reunion than a ticketed event, and delivers fantastic sights and sounds for three days in August.

The post Fretboard Brewing Company Announces Partnership with Whispering Beard Folk Festival appeared first on CraftBeer.com.