BrewDog USA’s restaurant is all about food and fun, too
DogTap has sunk its teeth into central Ohio’s food-andbeverage scene.
The 10,000-squarefoot restaurant, taproom and retail outlet is part of the new BrewDog USA headquarters at 96 Gender Road in Canal Winchester.
It’s a destination for those who want to tip back a couple of handcrafted beers in a laid-back environment, said Ben Stewart, who’s in charge of marketing and sales for the company.
“We got a theme for all of our bars: Make it
comfortable and be all about the beer,” Stewart said. “You’ll notice the lack of TVs. We want to people to come and socialize, immerse themselves in the experience of great craft beer.”
The scene is strikingly modern — a potpourri of steel, wood, stark blue booths, community seating, concrete and a 35- foot- tall ceiling.
A glass wall gives patrons visual access to the brewing equipment, which will go online in a few weeks. For now, suds are brewed at the company’s U.K. headquarters in Scotland.
On the other end of the space are oversized garage doors, which open to a patio and part of the BrewDog campus, which features manicured landscapes.
A game room offers two shuffleboard tables, pinball machines and oldschool video games. A third level of the space has yet to open.
Scottish artist Craig Fisher, who’s responsible for the bold brushstrokes at BrewDog’s U. K. locales, created murals on the beer tanks and the walls of DogTap.
All bartenders have achieved Level 1 of the Cicerone Certification Program, which tests candidates on their knowledge of beer, Stewart said.
There are 24 taps, with 12 beers currently available, an even split between BrewDog and local craft- beer selections. Stewart said beers quickly will be added to the roster.
There’s also a limited amount of wine and liquor.
Food was hardly an afterthought at DogTap, Stewart said.
The local chef is Jeff Arthur, a Culinary Institute of America graduate and former executive chef at Ohio University.
“We’ve got a lot of inspiration from the U.K. menus, but the U.K. menus are also inspired by American dishes,” he said.
Uncommon in these parts: haggis spring rolls, Welsh rarebit (melted cheddar sauce served with toast) and Scotch eggs.
Familiar American dishes: walleye, braised short rib and New York strip, the most expensive item at $ 20.
Most other dishes are $ 7 to $ 15.
Among the signature burgers is the “identity crisis,” topped with pulled pork, crispy tortilla strips, chipotle cream and an egg, sunny-side up.
The foundation for all pizzas is dough made locally by Dan the Baker to BrewDog’s specs.
A separate brunch menu is featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Hours are 11 a. m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 614-908-3054.
Freedom feast
Imaginative cuisine and signature cocktails will be on the menu at the third Eat Up! Columbus dinner benefiting Freedom a la Cart. It’s slated for the evening of March 11 at St. Charles Preparatory School, 2010 E. Broad St.
Some of the city’s most creative culinary talent, led by Jessica Levy, executive director of Freedom a la Cart, will prepare a six- course meal, complete with matching cocktails. ( Wine and beer also will be available.)
A sample of the evening’s menu: panseared scallops and poached monkfish, braised pork- cheek grillades and a modern interpretation of apple pie.
Tickets, $ 175 each, can be purchased through freedomalacart. org.
Proceeds benefit Freedom a la Cart, which helps victims of human trafficking find sustainable employment.
Food for thought
Food Fort’s fourth annual showcase will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. March 9 at 1655 Old Leonard Ave.
More than 20 food trucks, carts and catering operations will offer samples at the event.
Admission is free but registration is necessary by contacting Terry Traster at ttraster@ ecdi. org.
The Food Fort, part of the Economic & Community Development Institute, provides a fully licensed kitchen, training resources and marketing assistance for food entrepreneurs.
For the obit fi le
Closed: Easy Street Cafe, 197 Thurman Ave.; Spaggedies Italian Kitchen, 3873 Park Mill Run Drive.