If you want to have a taste of what the early Daytonians used to eat and drink, then get in your car and head to Carillon Brewing Company on Carillon Boulevard in Dayton. Currently located in the Carillon Historical Park and part of a 65-acre open-air history museum, this 1850s style brewery and restaurant offers “a fully immersive, family friendly educational experience that has never before been offered in the state or the country,” according to their website.
“It is the first licensed production brewery in a museum and Dayton History’s newest project.” said Tanya Brock, Carillon Brewery Manager. “This living history exhibit and restaurant replicates every detail of the brewing techniques of the 1850s as a means to celebrate Dayton’s brewing heritage.”
According to Terrence Hodges, a WSU student, the place is definitely worth a visit.
“I would recommend anyone who has a slight interest in Dayton’s history or simply wants to try good food to come and visit the Carillon Brewing Company,” Hodges said. “I like the smell of the place: a mixture of wood burning, malt and food.”
According to Hodges, everything is made in order to reproduce an authentic brewery of early America, from the low lighting to the costumes of the servers.” Even the plates and the silverware were carefully chosen in an effort to match the ones that were used at the time. “You are immediately transported to another time,” said Hodges.
While waiting for the food, one can take a look around and learn more about the brewing process by reading the explanations written on different barrels, or asking questions to the Brewster. According to their website, it is a sensory experience for the customers. “Guests get to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the brewing process as our Brewster and her assistant demonstrate brewing methods from the well to the mug.”
In addition to the restaurant, the restaurant offers a bar where you can enjoy homemade beverages.
“Currently we serve four house made ales: Porter, Coriander Ale, Berliner Weisse, Irish Red Ale and three house made sodas: Root beer, Ginger Ale and Cream Soda,” said Brock. If you like what you drink, you can also purchase a growler full of your favorite homemade beverage to take home.
The Brewery has a weekly production schedule that includes bread making, brewing and soda cooking.
“All of our production is done right in front of visitors/ diners. We invite folks to come up to ask us more about what we are making,” said Brock. “For those wanting to be part of the brewing process, we offer our “Brewer for a Day” program—a ticketed experience where for $150/ person, participants work with us for approximately 7 hours to make the batch for the day”.
So far, it seems that the Carillon Brewing Company has been a success, with 45,000 visitors passing through the Brewery within its first four months open
For more information, please call 937-910-0722 or visit their website at http://www.carillonbrewingco.org/
