The Flavor Revolution: Why Flavored Beers Are Taking Over Craft Breweries
“Wait… This is BEER?!”
That’s the reaction we live for at Little Miami Brewing Company. Because yeah—that tart, juicy burst in your glass? The one that tastes like a summer peach or a spiced winter cookie? Yep, still beer. And folks in Cincinnati are obsessed.
Flavored beers aren’t just a trend; they’re a full-blown craft beer rebellion. Forget what you knew about “just hops and malt”—today’s drinkers want wild, unapologetic flavors (and honestly, we can’t blame them). That’s why we’re brewing up creations like Earth Cookie Brown Ale, which tastes like a dessert; the Bike Path Pilsner, which leans refreshingly weird; and the crowd-favorite Grateful IPA, which has basically become the toast of every Cincinnati wedding.
This isn’t your grandpa’s brew. It’s craft beer with a PhD in fun—and we’re pouring it fresh in our taproom.
From spiced stouts to juicy wheat, we’re diving into the wild, flavorful world that’s turning Cincinnati’s beer scene upside down.
What Are Flavored Beers? Understanding the Trend
Let’s cut through the hype: Flavored beer isn’t some gimmick—it’s craftsmanship with a twist. Imagine your favorite went on a flavor blender at a farmers’ market, a spice bazaar, or a pastry shop. That’s what we’re brewing.
The Nuts & Bolts
- Base Beer + Flavor Bomb: We start with solid brews (IPAs, stouts, lagers) and layer in real fruit, spices, and even honey. No artificial shortcuts.
- Sweet, Tart, Spicy, Smoky: The flavors don’t whisper—they’re the lead singers.
- For Everyone: Hops too bold? Ease into our Grapefruit Peace Frog IPA for a citrusy twist. Stouts too heavy? Curveball Belgian Wit with orange peel and coriander might be your new crush.
Why Cincinnati’s Obsessed
- Local Pride: We use Ohio-grown fruits, herbs, and honey (shoutout to our neighbor beekeepers!).
- Wedding-Ready: Couples love serving Blackbird Fly Blackberry Wheat at receptions—because a signature beer is way better than a generic cash bar.
- No Snobbery Here: Craft beer lovers and total newbies welcome. We keep things fun, not fussy.
Pro Tip: Ask for a flight at our taproom. You’ll discover your flavor match faster than you think.
Curious about all the beer styles out there? Check out this beer-style guide if you want to nerd out.
Flavored Beer Styles at LMBC: A Flavorful Journey

Look, we get it – some breweries slap “flavored beer” on a label and call it a day. Not us. Here’s what’s actually fermenting in our tanks right now:
- 71 Peaches (5.0% ABV): Real peaches + wheat beer = pure summer. Light, juicy, and refreshing without being sweet.
- Blackbird Fly (5.0% ABV): Real blackberry puree gives this wheat ale a bold, fruity kick. No shortcuts, just pure flavor
Why it matters: We could use flavor extracts. We don’t—because that’s not craft.
The Spiced Stuff That’ll Change Your Mind
- Earth Cookie Brown Ale (6.0% ABV): Rich, nutty, and kissed with chocolate, this brown ale tastes like holiday comfort in a glass.
- St. James Irish Stout (5.5% ABV): Smooth, dark, and roasty stout with classic coffee-chocolate depth.
Pro tip: These sell out quickly when the temp drops—Cincinnati knows when it’s stout season.
The Beers That Make Cincinnati Special
- 71 Peaches (5.0% ABV): Brewed with real peaches for a juicy, refreshing wheat ale.
- Blackbird Fly (5.0% ABV): Blackberry puree gives this wheat beer a bold, natural fruit kick.
Every beer on our tap list tells a story—and if you haven’t tasted them yet, your flavor journey is just getting started.
Crafting Flavored Beers: The Art and Science Behind the Brew
Let’s get one thing straight: We don’t dump fruit syrup into a keg and call it “craft.” Every flavored beer we make starts with planning, testing, and the occasional brewhouse debate. Here’s the real process:
Step 1: Picking the Right Ingredients (The “No Fakes Allowed” Rule)
We could take shortcuts. We don’t.
- Fruit? Whole, pureed, or zest. No “natural flavors” nonsense.
- Spices? Whole cinnamon sticks, real vanilla beans—nothing powdered.
- Sweeteners? Local honey, Ohio maple syrup—or nothing.
Step 2: Timing is Everything (Or: Don’t Ruin the Beer)
Adding flavors too early = they ferment out. Too late = they taste fake. We nail it every time by:
- Fruit additions during fermentation for natural sweetness
- Cold-steeping for herbs and coffee
Step 3: Balancing the Chaos
Too much fruit? Cloying. Too much spice? Toothpaste vibes. We fix it by:
- Blending batches
- Testing on regulars (if Debbie from Dayton hates it, back to the drawing board)
The result? Beers that actually taste like what we promise.
The Best Food Pairings with Flavored Beers: Enhance Your Beer Experience
Here’s the truth: Our beers were made to be enjoyed with good food, specifically, the kind we serve right here at our taproom. No generic pairing suggestions here – just real combos we’ve tested and love:
Pairings That Make Our Beers Sing
- Blackbird Fly + Bavarian Pretzel
- The tart pop of blackberry cuts perfectly through the warm, salty goodness of the pretzel, especially with a swipe of spicy mustard.
- Cherry Creek + Artisan Cheese Board
- The cherry’s gentle sweetness and aged cheddar are a match made in heaven—seriously, they were born to be together.
Must-Try Combos from Our Kitchen
- Earth Cookie + Chocolate Pudding
- Rich malt + decadent pudding = liquid dessert with a hug. Think fudge meets nutty brown ale in the best way.
- 71 Peaches + Honey-Glazed Wings
- Juicy peach flavors bounce off sticky-sweet wings in a sweet-meets-savory explosion.
Bonus Tip: These pairings taste even better on our riverside patio.
The Taproom Experience: Where to Enjoy Flavored Beers at LMBC
Yes, you could drink our beers anywhere—but you haven’t experienced it until you’ve been here. At LMBC, the taproom is the soul of the brewery.
The Vibe (No Corporate Energy)
- Exposed brick, reclaimed wood, and a patio with string lights that make even Mondays feel like a party. It’s warm, and 100% Cincinnati.
- Live music every week (Wed-Sun): From bluegrass to funk, always local.
- No TVs: We’d rather want you to chat, laugh, or at least argue about beer styles—anything but scroll silently
How to Do It Right
- Start with a flight: Can’t decide? Our staff picks are worth trusting.
- Ask what’s new: We test small batches weekly (and sometimes let guests name them).
- Stay for food: Even our pretzels are made from scratch. Nothing frozen. Ever.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Brewery
- We remember your name (and your usual order)
- Dogs and kids? Bring them. (We’ve got water bowls and crayons ready).
- Community First – Check the chalkboard for menus, events, and fundraisers.
Planning to visit? Check our hours here. No reservation is needed—just good vibes.
Why Choose Flavored Beers at LMBC? A Local Craft Beer Adventure

Let’s cut through the noise: Cincinnati has great breweries. But here’s why people keep coming back to us, batch after batch:
We’re Not Just Brewing Beer – We’re Building Community
Local to Our Core
Every sip supports Ohio farmers. Our honey? From hives visible from our patio. Our fruit? Grown within 50 miles. Even our glassware is sourced locally.
Beyond the Bar
We host:
- Monthly fundraisers for local schools
- Free homebrewing workshops (because knowledge should be shared, not gated)
- Community bre collabs with local artists, musicians, and chefs
Flavors You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
While others play it safe, we’re:
- Aging stouts in bourbon barrels from nearby distilleries
- Letting our bartenders create limited small-batch brews
The Wedding Secret Cincy Couples Love
Our space isn’t just for beer nerds. We’ve become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Cincinnati because:
- Custom beer blends created just for your big day
- No cookie-cutter packages – we work with your vision
- A team that actually cares about your experience
Could we mass-produce? Sure. But then we’d be just another brewery. And where’s the fun in that?
Embark on Your Flavor Journey at LMBC
Let’s be real—you didn’t read all the way till here about flavored beer because you’re “just curious.” You’re here because something clicked. Maybe it was the peach wheat or the Earth Cookie Brown Ale. Craft beer shouldn’t taste like mass-produced boredom. It should surprise you. Challenge you. Maybe even make you say, “Damn, that’s good.”
At Little Miami Brewing Company, that’s exactly what we deliver:
- Beers that taste exactly like they sound (no extracts, no lies)
- A taproom that feels like home
- A team that geeks out over flavor just as much as you do
Your Move, Beer Lover. Come visit and taste what the buzz is about. Plan your visit today!