Moerlein Lager House to anchor Central Riverfront Park

As the massive Central Riverfront Park development moves forward there are sure to be more announcements made, but none may match up to the excitement generated about plans for the Moerlein Lager House that will anchor the first phase of the massive 45 acre riverfront park.

The new restaurant and beer garden will be built along Main Street near Great American Ball Park and will be up to 15,000 square feet with enough room for 500 inside and another 600 outside in the beer garden area.  The Moerlein Lager House will be three stories in height and feature a green roof, balconies and terraces with views of the new Central Riverfront Park, Ohio River, Roebling Suspension Bridge and Great American Ball Park.

"It is a continued collaboration between the Cincinnati Park Board and Christian Moerlein Brewing Company to enhance green and LEED certified initiatives as responsible business practices," says Christian Moerlein Brewing Company owner Greg Hardman, who also notes that the building will have geothermal capability.

Once complete, the Moerlein Lager House will employ 200 people and become Cincinnati's largest brewpub in terms of capacity and the annual production of 5,000 barrels of Christian Moerlein beer at the Lager House.  The Moerlein Lager House will be leasing the land from the Cincinnati Park Board and will be announcing project costs and additional details in coming weeks.

Hardman is also planning tours of the massive brewpub.  "We will have both self-guided and regularly scheduled tours that will be free and explain the brewing process and Cincinnati's grand brewing history of which Christian Moerlein is a significant part of," says Hardman.

Hardman believes that increased tourism along the riverfront can be a major economic driver for the region and Moerlein's role in Cincinnati history will play its part.

"Christian Moerlein has had a grand brewing history in the Over-the-Rhine Brewery District; he also used the riverfront as an important tool for trade to expand distribution and sell his beer to places like New Orleans, Panama, Puerto Rico and other parts of the world.  The direct connection from OTR to the riverfront is one that links our authentic heritage and we believe will help increase heritage tourism in Cincinnati just like it has been done in so many cities around the world."

Hardman goes on to discuss the importance of having a local brew readily available for those visiting from out-of-town for Reds and Bengals games, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the other host of festivals and events held nearby including the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the world outside of Munich.

Hardman believes that, "it's a proud moment in Cincinnati brewing history when you can recapture the direct connection between our grand brewing heritage and today's craft beer movement through Christian Moerlein."

Check out Soapbox's video chat with Moerlein CEO, Greg Hardman here.

Writer: Randy A. Simes
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