Taft’s Brewpourium, Columbus OH

5 November 2022

Taft’s – named after the president – is pretty new to Columbus. I stumbled across them by accident on the internet and they caught my eye because they claim to have real “New Haven style apizza” that’s baked in 1,000º coal-fired ovens. Cool!

I like Taft’s! The parking situation isn’t great, but they have a large space and a lot of taps and the beer and food are both good. It’s “bar service only” so you either sit at the bar or you walk up to the bar to order.

I sat at the bar and started off with a flight of four (and I’m including the beer list photo here for reference):

From left to right:

Snake in the Grass – Farmhouse Ale – I really liked this one; it had great character! It was so good that I took a crowler of it for later/tomorrow.

Oktubberfest – Notwithstanding the terrible name, this one was another winner (and another crowler to take as well).

Brewly Weds – I’m not saying this wasn’t good … but it wasn’t “special” in the way the first two were. If I hadn’t had them, this West Coast Pale Ale would have been a winner.

Auld Girthy – I do love a good Scotch Ale, and if I’d been in the right mood for one today, I’d have definitely followed this with a pint. As good as it was, it just wasn’t quite right for a day in the 70s.

And then came the pizza and a second flight:

It wasn’t quite a classic New Haven pizza – as my phone-a-friend, Jin, said, “It’s round!” – and the super-thin crust was crispier than expected (although I love it that way!), but this was a really good-tasting pizza and I will absolutely have another on my next visit. I also liked that it comes in both 10" and 16" sizes with a lot of topping options.

Flight #2, left to right:

Gustav – This Vienna Lager was exactly what the style implies. Perfect.

Pils – Another perfectly matched style, very refreshing.

Maverick – Today just wasn’t conducive weather for a Porter or I would have loved this one. Instead, I merely appreciated it and moved on.

Cherrywood Amber – I’m not a huge fan of Red Ales, but this one tickled my fancy. I could see myself ordering more of this one for sure.

And finally, to close things out, their Joe Prrr NEIPA, a well-crafted representative of this style (but I expected nothing less at this point, having tasted their other beers):

I didn’t get photos of the signs on the bathroom doors, but they were cleverly conceived – they were silhouettes of President William Howard Taft and his wife, so the bathrooms were labeled “Billies” and “Nellies.”

I like this place! I wish it were easier to park, but I’ll definitely be back.