Sometimes, you just have to pack up all your friends (and kids!) and head across state lines to check out a new brewery.
This past Saturday, we spent the day at Ill Will Brewing in Columbiana, OH. For those who may not be up on geography, Columbiana is about 25 minutes south of Youngstown, OH and an hour north west of Pittsburgh.
Situated at Vagabond Village in Firestone Farms (the actual site of the original Firestone-family farm and birthplace of Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire), Ill Will Brewing has quickly become known for their line of smoothie sours (if you were at Drink The Cookie Table 2, you know what I mean).
Driving up to the brewery, you’ll notice how quiet and “calm” the property. Whereas a lot of breweries are located in industrial and commerical areas, Ill Will is situated on a quiet farm, across the street from a golf course. The property is vast and serene, and eventhough the farm was settled many years ago, it doesn’t feel old. That’s because much of the property has been carefully restored with a modern feel while maintaining the serene, farm-like vintage setting.
In fact, the brewery is located next door to two AirBNBs that are exact replicas of Thomas Jefferson & Henry Ford’s childhood homes. These AirBNBs are available for rent and include a patio out front with firepits (one includes a hot tub also.)
Walking in to the brewery, you’ll notice a funky, modern feel immediately with unique art on the walls, a digital beer list display, and a playlist that customers can actually somewhat control by offering music suggestions (a nice perk).
Guests of the tap room are immediately greeted by a series of stacked serving tanks behind the bar that are named after members of the Wu-Tang Clan. (Yes, they have a tank for each member, including Cappadona).
One thing we did notice in the taproom was their attention to detail. Aside from naming their tanks and including cup holders in front of the bathrooms, the brewery even situates their tap handles to spell “Ill Will”.
Outside of the brewery, you can find tons of seating, firepits and even outdoor games, like chess – a big hit with my daughter Zellie.
We spent the day making our way through their taplist, which included not just smoothie sours, but also hazy IPAs, porters, seltzers and even a doppelbock (which we started off the day with). Even the pickiest of beer drinkers would be able to find something to drink on their tap list (a plus, in our opinion).
One highlight of the trip was their “Peeping Tom” marshmallow Peep smoothie served with, you guessed it, a Peep in the drink. However, the entire beer list was fantastic. Not one complaint from one beer from one person – it was all that good.
After we slammed some food from the food truck out front (sorry, forgot the name!), Kathy and the Ill Will Brewing team were kind enough to surprise Danielle with a cake and balloons for her birthday (which was a few days prior).
They even got the balloons in Fueled colors – a real perk in our eyes.
We can’t recommend a trip to Ill Will Brewing enough, and we can’t wait to return. From the excellent beers top the fantastic hospitality, you’re not going to leave disappointed.
Later in the Spring, a BBQ restaurant will be opening up directly next door that we are looking forward to trying out. In the meantime, the brewery will still host food trucks.
If you’re planning to make an overnight stay of the trip, we recommend utilizing their on-site AirBNBs or a stay at the Best Western Plus Dutch Haus Inn and Suites.
Thanks again for everything, Kathy, Derrick, Ryan and Tom!
Oh, and in typical Fueled fashion, we had to end the trip with a group photo!
Sounds like a great place to hang out for a few days!