If there’s a place where beer passion and love is greater than at the DogHouse Hotel and Brewery, I haven’t found it. Along with finding a hotel that’s creative with a capital C, I discovered one of my favorite beers–Elvis Juice. Just minutes from Columbus, Ohio, The DogHouse Hotel is in the BrewDog Brewery in Canal Winchester. The Canal Winchester location of the brewery is thanks to central Ohio’s craft beer love.
The hotel came about as a result of a casual conversation between company higher-ups who thought that this edge of Ohio’s farmland would be a great place to stay. This Scotland-based company pulled out the stops to create a laid-back playland with a spirit of generosity.
Along with the Brewdog hotel, there’s also a restaurant, a gift shop, an arcade, a dog park, and a craft beer history museum. Plus, you can tour the brewery. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I knew I was in for some fun.
Hallway to Brewdog hotel guest rooms overlooks the OverWorks sour beer facility
First, you can’t miss the gigantic pink octopus of the nautical mural that stretches from the brewery’s restaurant to the hotel. Painted by Scottish artist Craig Fisher, the mural is a playful welcome to anyone who stops in for a brew, bite, or overnight. This playful vibe paired with great beer is a theme carried throughout.
Doghouse Hotel reception and bar combination
Step into the hotel’s reception area that doubles as a bar for a close-up view of BrewDog’s Overworks facility where wooden barrels and foeders hold sour beer goodness. Fisher’s handiwork is part of this beer brewing scene where guests are given a complimentary beer of their choice at check-in.
A pour of Cosmic Crush Cherry, a sour beer option.
There’s more beer drinking decision-making to do in this hotel stay. Each of the 32 guest rooms and 8 suites has a small kegerator that can be filled with a BrewDog beer. There are also two beer refrigerators that hold 12 cans each. This Shower Beer Fridge means grabbing a beer and taking a shower don’t have to be separate activities. Afterwards, if you’re brushing your teeth or drying your hair, pop your beer into the beer koozie that can be stuck on the wall near the mirror.
Although beer is a major component, of the DogHouse Hotel, the draw for me is the attention to detail and local sourcing of products. The hand-crafted furniture is made by Columbus’s Edgework Creative. The neon signs and lamps are also made by Columbus companies. And the lotion, soap, and shampoo? Also, locally sourced. Glenn Avenue Soap Company, a Columbus establishment known for high-end toiletries uses BrewDog Elvis Juice, a grapefruit-infused IPA as an ingredient.
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Guest rooms are equipped with a 42-inch Smart TV, coffee maker with coffee from Stauf’s, another Columbus company, and complimentary Wi-Fi. If you stay in a suite, a garage door style window opens to the OverWorks facility.
For fun outside the room, there’s a fitness center with Rogue exercise equipment. Rogue is another Columbus-based company. A ping pong table and board games are part of the lounge/bar/reception area. If you want to rent a bicycle to head out on the rails-to-trails bike path on one side of BrewDog’s property, you can do that from the hotel.
BrewDog’s restaurant is as creative as the DogHouse Hotel. Folks drive from other parts of central Ohio for beer, food, and a good time. A giant outdoor chessboard, cornhole games, firepits, and hammocks are part of the outdoor scene. On one of my visits, friends and I sat at the restaurant’s bar where I had a flight of beer and fish tacos. Truly splendid.
The restaurant has a game area and door to the gift shop where you can purchase Glenn Avenue Soap Company Elvis Juice-infused bath products and BrewDog swag, plus beer.
Pair beer, wine, and time with your dog
Throughout the year, there are special events to add to the BrewDog fun. On one of my visits last fall, there was a dog-themed day that included dog treat give-a-ways. Because of outdoor seating, people can bring their dogs to dine. Certain guest rooms of the hotel are also dog-friendly. The dog park here is excellent with plenty of space for dogs and people to mingle–or not.
BrewDog Craft Beer Museum
All hotel guests have a complimentary tour of the brewery and admission to the craft beer museum. The museum is a well-done look at the history of beer making and the craft beer industry.
Although the hotel and restaurant is up and running, due to Covid-19 guidelines, a stay may be a scaled-back version of my experience. Scaled back or not, the DogHouse Hotel is quite amazing.
Room rates range from $172 for a standard king to $304 for the BrewMaster’s Suite. Room rates include a continental breakfast complete with beer mimosas. Book through the hotel here or go through a hotel booking site such as Hotels.com.
Post and photos by Jamie Rhein
