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Nestled in the heart of St. Bernard, Ohio, Wiedemann’s Fine Beer is pouring new life into a historic building that once served as a funeral home. This iconic Cincinnati brand, with roots stretching back to 1870, has been revived by Jon and Betsy Newberry, transforming the former Imwalle Memorial Funeral Home into a vibrant brewery, taproom, and community hub. If you’re searching for a unique craft beer experience with a side of history, Wiedemann’s is the place to raise a glass. Here’s why this brewery is a must-visit for beer lovers and history buffs alike.

A Storied Past Meets a Hoppy Future
Wiedemann’s Fine Beer is no stranger to Cincinnati’s rich brewing heritage. Founded by German immigrant George Wiedemann in Newport, Kentucky, the brewery became a regional powerhouse, known for its Bohemian-style lagers. After merging with Heileman Brewing in 1967 and closing its doors in 1983, the brand faded until Jon Newberry, a beer journalist, and his wife Betsy revived it in 2012. Their passion for craft beer and Cincinnati’s German-American culture led them to reintroduce Wiedemann’s Special Lager, and by 2018, they had a bold new vision: open a brewery in a 1921 funeral home in St. Bernard.

The Imwalle Memorial Funeral Home at 4811 Vine Street was transformed into a 12,000-square-foot brewery complex, complete with a taproom, full kitchen, spacious sundeck, and a tree-lined beer garden. The $3 million project, which broke ground in 2017, preserved the building’s historic charm while infusing it with a modern, welcoming vibe. Today, the embalming room houses a canning line, and the former funeral parlor is a cozy taproom adorned with vintage Wiedemann memorabilia, glowing with neon signs and a nod to Cincinnati’s tavern culture.

Beers That Celebrate Tradition and Innovation
Wiedemann’s doesn’t just lean on its 150-year legacy—it embraces the craft beer revolution with a diverse lineup of lagers and ales. Head brewer Steve Shaw and his team craft beers that honor the brand’s Bohemian roots while pushing boundaries with innovative flavors. Their flagship Bohemian Special Lager, a crisp, golden lager, pays homage to George Wiedemann’s original recipe, while beers like the Wake Me Up Hazelnut Coffee Stout, Mango Hefeweizen, and Blood Orange Blonde Ale showcase their creative flair.

With 42 taps pouring everything from classic pilsners to seasonal brews like Pineapple IPA and Summertime Lime, there’s something for every palate. The brewery’s commitment to quality and variety has earned it a loyal following, with fans raving about the approachable yet flavorful beers. Whether you’re a craft beer nerd or just looking for a refreshing pint, Wiedemann’s delivers. Plus, their beers are brewed on-site in a 3,500-square-foot brewery addition, ensuring every pour is as fresh as it gets.

A Taproom with Vintage Charm
Step inside Wiedemann’s taproom, and you’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a classic Cincinnati dive bar—only better. The space exudes a nostalgic, neighborhood vibe with its exposed brick, original molding, and retro Wiedemann signs casting a warm glow. It’s the kind of place where you can bring your grandparents or your buddies and feel right at home. The taproom seats about 125, with an additional 70-80 spots on the sundeck and plans for a beer garden that could accommodate hundreds more, set against the historic Miami and Erie Canal wall.

The full-service kitchen dishes out elevated bar food, perfect for pairing with your pint. Dig into a Wiediewurst sausage, a Brewhemian Burger, or Goetta Tots with jalapeños for a true taste of Cincinnati. The menu’s no-frills approach complements the laid-back atmosphere, making it a go-to spot for lunch, dinner, or late-night snacks. Live music, trivia nights, and Reds games on eight big-screen TVs keep the energy lively, while the outdoor beer garden offers a relaxed setting for warm Ohio evenings.

Why a Funeral Home? The Quirky Appeal
Turning a funeral home into a brewery might sound unusual, but it’s a perfect fit for Wiedemann’s mission to breathe new life into a historic brand. Jon Newberry saw the potential in the grand, well-preserved building, which had been vacant for years before St. Bernard purchased it for $700,000. The Newberrys’ vision transformed the space into a celebration of community and craftsmanship, with subtle nods to its past—like seasonal brews that playfully reference the building’s history. The result is a brewery that feels both timeless and fresh, blending Cincinnati’s brewing legacy with a quirky, one-of-a-kind setting.

A Community Hub in St. Bernard
Wiedemann’s isn’t just a brewery—it’s a gathering place for St. Bernard and beyond. Located just minutes from I-75 and a short drive from the Cincinnati Zoo and Xavier University, it’s easily accessible for locals and visitors. The brewery has revitalized the village’s downtown, drawing crowds with its welcoming vibe and family-friendly events. Jon Newberry’s goal was to recreate the “good old days” of neighborhood taverns, and Wiedemann’s delivers with its unpretentious charm and community spirit.

In 2020, the brewery celebrated its 150th anniversary with special releases like commemorative “hand grenade” bottles of Bohemian Lager, proving its staying power in a competitive craft beer scene. Despite challenges like the pandemic and the tough economics of the industry, Wiedemann’s has found a home in St. Bernard, where residents and beer lovers embrace its blend of history and innovation.

Plan Your Visit to Wiedemann’s
Ready to sip some history? Wiedemann’s Fine Beer, Brewery & Pub is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night hangs at 4811 Vine Street, St. Bernard, OH. Check out their website (wiedemannsfinebeer.com) for the latest tap list, menu, and event schedule. Whether you’re craving a classic lager, a bold stout, or just a fun night out, this former funeral home-turned-brewery is the place to be. Pro tip: Grab a flight to sample a range of beers, and don’t miss the Monmouth Street Blonde Ale for a smooth, crowd-pleasing pour.

Cheers to Wiedemann’s for keeping Cincinnati’s brewing legacy alive—and for turning a once-somber space into a lively celebration of craft beer and community!

Wiedemann’s Fine Beer, Brewery & Pub
Address: 4811 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45217
Phone: (513) 482-6970
Website: wiedemannsfinebeer.com

A Place for All to Gather in the Willamette Valley
Oregon fields have just started to bloom out and have their earliest hop cones form, marking another exciting milestone for growers and agronomists alike–smelling the first cones of the year. Tearing open and rubbing the cones in your hands until you get a fragrant whiff has become my favorite part of agronomic work; To be able to smell the difference in hop varieties while in the field is an invaluable part of learning about beer, making my experience at Xicha Brewing even more irreplaceable and exciting. Growers, brewers, and beer enthusiasts of all backgrounds gathered at Xicha Brewing in North Salem, OR on June 26th to taste and celebrate the release of their Cerveza Común–a limited edition pilsner made with Citra hops grown by Coleman Hop Farms, which just so happened to be from the exact field where I was scouting and smelling hop cops earlier that morning!

Luckily, for the folks who couldn’t smell the hops straight out of the field, Coleman Hops brought multiple dry hop varieties to share in the sensory experience. What a difference the drying process made. Without the green, vegetal smell that fresh hops possess, all that remained in the dry hops were their aromatic properties, allowing notes to come across more clearly. Cerveza Común was, of course, the fan favorite brew of the night. After a long day of work, it was so refreshing to first encounter the plentiful tingly carbonation, followed by the classic dominant aromas of citrusy grapefruit & floral notes that pack a punch (as do most YCR hop varieties) all rounded out by the bready and lightly sweet flavor that defines the pilsner style. The bitterness lingered without being astringent, making it thirst-quenching–the exact beer sought after by anybody who spends long, hot days working in agriculture.

If pilsners aren’t your go-to, fret not. Xicha maintains a tap menu full of a good mix of lagers and ales, including experimental fruited sours–the coveted beer that, if you ask me, truly defines whether a brewery can do it all. While at Xicha, Head Brewer Charlie Van Meter gave us a sneak peek at his first attempt at a hard seltzer. Knowing that it’s still unreleased, I was surprised by the market-ready quality. Though my background is in beer, by being a 20-something who has tried plenty of just-average seltzers (and seen first-hand how the younger markets can tend to favor seltzers over beer), the only light fruity flavor, moderate carbonation, and nearly hidden alcoholic astringency made it seem to me that it would be a hit amongst younger drinkers. A word to the wise: keep your eye out for whatever Xicha releases next.

The folks at Xicha are class acts. The quality of the food and service rivaled that of the beer. The smell of fresh corn tortillas, sharp onions, and perfectly spiced braised beef filled the air and enticed you from the second you walked in the door. The modern atmosphere was welcoming to all, including families, friends, solo travelers, those who only want beer, those who only want food, and those who come for both. With indoor and outdoor patio seating, and a respectable number of beers on top, there is something that everybody will enjoy. As a place with food that is just as good as the beer, Xicha brings to life the true spirit of the hop-growing and brewing industry, in a world where the inspiration is momentarily lacking. Xicha is Oregon’s first Latine-owned brewery, but that isn’t just what makes one’s visit a unique cultural experience. I observed brewers, growers, owners, back-of-house, and front-of-house all swing by to greet customers at their tables, to thank them for coming, and to see what they thought of the experience. It is because of these elements of pride and integrity, genuine care for people and product, that makes Xicha a unique brewery experience. It is so refreshing to meet up with

locals and hear them say some iteration of, “Order anything–everything here is delicious!”. Such a review certainly holds up at Xicha Brewing.

About Xicha Brewing
Xicha Brewing, Oregon’s first Latino-owned brewery, has been a vibrant cornerstone of Salem’s craft beer scene since 2017. Founded by Ricardo Antunez, Ben Mendoza, Maggie Antunez, and Matt Dakopolos, Xicha [chee-chah] blends Latin American flavors with European-style ales and lagers, creating unique brews like their Guava Golden Ale and Mexican Lager, Chela. Committed to community and culture, their family-friendly taprooms in Salem and Eugene offer authentic Latin American cuisine, from barbacoa tacos to Peruvian ceviche, fostering an inclusive environment. With a new brewhouse and head brewer Charlie Van Meter, Xicha continues to innovate, expanding distribution across Oregon while hosting cultural events like lotería nights and Xicha Fest, celebrating their heritage through cerveza, comida, and cultura. Visit www.xichabrewing.com for more.

 

 

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