The Hills Market: Columbus' Premier Specialty Grocer

Join us for our first Beer and Brats of the season down on our Veranda tonight from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Check out the latest blog post from our Beer Expert, JR on what he has in store for tonight's tasting:

I’m excited. Another season on the veranda is starting tonight. For this first flight tasting I’ve picked 8 Ohio-made beers that are in some way shape or form new to us here at The Hills Market. The first on the list is Jackie-O’s Razz Wheat. It’s not necessarily a new beer, they’ve been making it for a long time, but it is new to the award winning brewery’s year-round line up in cans. You’re going to like this beer.

Jackie-O’s | Razz Wheat (ABV: 5.0%)

40% white wheat and 60% malted two row create a nice, subtle wheat ale. 420lbs of all natural raspberry puree is added during fermentation giving this beer a unique and playful personality. The rosy haze and sticky head embody a continuum of sour sweetness held together by a wheat back bone. ($2.25/12 oz can | $0.75/3 oz sample)

Next is a product from a relatively new cidery here in the Columbus area. This hopped cider is a refreshing treat on a warm spring day. Don’t believe me? Come and try it.

Mad Moon | Hop Wired (6.0% ABV)

HopWired bridges the gap between cider and beer. The special hops blend has a citrusy, floral and slightly bitter flavor profile you’ll have to experience to appreciate. ($2.75/12 oz bottle | $0.75/3 oz sample)

Sticking with the fruit theme, the next in tonight’s lineup is a really nice shandy from one of the most underappreciated Ohio breweries. Of course that’s only my opinion.

Hoppin’ Frog | Turbo Shandy (ABV: 7.0%)

Born from European tradition, our Shandy is a refreshing combination of lemon and light malt flavors. Unlike traditional shandys, Turbo Shandy, revs it up a couple of notches with a high test, full flavored approach as only Hoppin’ Frog can do. ($8.75/22 oz bottle | $1.25/3 oz sample)

The first half of tonight’s flight will really get your attention. I think you’ll love this beer.

The Brew Kettle | Awesome IPL (ABV: 4.7%)

Light, crisp, refreshing. Brewed with awesome hops, awesome barley, awesome H2O, and awesome yeast. ($2/12 oz can | $0.50/3 oz sample)

The second half starts with one of my favorite new additions from one of my favorite Ohio brewery.

Fat Head’s | Bonehead Red (ABV: 8.2%)

A full bodied Imperial Red Ale brewed with a massive amount of Pacific Northwest hops that are complemented by caramel malts. Dry hopped and hop-backed with Simcoe hops give this beer it’s pungent piney aroma. 2014 World Beer Cup Silver Medal ($3.50/12 oz bottle | $1/3 oz sample)

Since adding them to our lineup a few weeks ago, It’s been a pleasure working with the guys at Granville Brewing. They have three really nice Belgium style beers that we are carrying in bottles. If you like the Belgium style beers you’re really going to like what they are doing.

Granville Brewing | The Betrayer Tripel (ABV: 9.5%)

Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. ($10.75/22 oz bottle | $1.50/3 oz sample)

Sales of the beers offered by Buckeye Lake Brewing Company have been doing really well since adding them over the winter. If you haven’t tried anything from them you need to and if you haven’t had a really good scotch ale in a while you should definitely give this selection a try.

Buckeye Lake | Strong Scotch Ale (ABV: 10.0%)

This strong scotch ale pours a deep mahogany color. A strong aroma of dark fruit with notes of toffee. The taste is just as wonderful as the aroma. A complex malt flavor of toasted malt, a touch of honey and hints of roast. This sipper is smooth, rich, full bodied and finishes so smooth, its easy to forget how strong it is. ($10.75/22 oz bottle | $1.50/3 oz sample)

Rounding out tonight’s beers is a big bold smoked ale from Seventh Son Brewing Co.. This beer should go great with the brats that we’re serving on the patio tonight.

Seventh Son | Chester Copperpot (ABV: 8.7%)

This double-strength old-school German-style ale has been enriched with a blend of smoked malts and a light touch of noble dry hop. Rich, savory malt sweetness is balanced by solid hop bitterness. ($12/22 oz bottle | $1.75/3 oz sample)

Hope to see you tonight at our tasting. The weather looks like it’s going to be great. The beer (and ciders) will be cold. We'll be grilling Hills Own Brats for only $3! See you tonight.