Happy Hour means a lot of different things to different people. For some it’s a way to unwind after work. For others it’s cheap drink without breaking the bank. No matter what your reason may be, it’s hard to beat the happy hour specials at Bodega, who soared to the top of our reader’s poll as the best happy hour deal in 2009. Their 50 beers on tap is one of the largest selections in town, and when they run them all at half price from 4 to 8 pm every weekday, it’s no wonder they stay as busy as they always are. [Read More]

We’re not quite sure if this is a result of conducting our reader survey at the end of the year, or if people really anticipate this seasonal beer all year long, but either way, Great Lakes Christmas Ale took home the number one spot as Best Drink of 2009. Made by The Great Lakes Brewing Company located in Cleveland, this award-winning Ohio beer is only available in November and December. Many local bars feature keg tapping parties to celebrate the arrival of their first (and sometimes only) batch of the season. [Read More]

Like many residents in many neighborhoods around Columbus, Orin Hemminger has spent plenty of time eyeballing the boarded-up retail space at the end of his block and wishing that someone would open up the type of business that he’d like to see: an east-coast style pizza shop with killer happy hour deals on a variety of microbrews. After a few years of dreaming, Orin decided to take matters into his own hands, and the concept for Yellow Brick Pizza was born. We sat down recently with Orin to find out more about why he decided that it was time bring this idea to life. [Read More]

While curling has a history of popularity in Canada and the upper Midwest, the 2002 Olympics, brought curling to a wider American audience. Columbus Curling Club experienced a period of rapid growth after the last Olympiad. The club is now home to curlers of all levels of experience and all walks of life, including Canadian expats, the OSU Club Curling Team, and even local artist Jim Maneri. [Read More]

The blue paint on the exterior of Hal & Al’s Bar is bright enough to make anyone do a double-take when driving by. The only problem is that you might not normally have too many reasons to make the trek down Parsons Avenue to notice it. After spending some time off the radar, the secret is slowly getting out that Hal & Al’s is worth the special trip. Their weekly event lineup keeps people entertained and their drink menu keeps people happy on the cheap. We recently chatted with Manager Dan Ores to find out a bit more about this new Southside spot. [Read More]

From The Columbus Foodcast:

Jim and Zach sit down with Tim Lessner to talk Tip Top. This episode focuses on Tip Top’s community involvement, rooftop garden, booze selection, and new brunch menu. Head on over to CMH Gourmand for a full write up and more photos.

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Starting on Friday, April 17th, bonoPIZZA will be setting up their portable woodoven at the corner of Third Avenue and Northwest Blvd at Boulevard Carryout, the beer and wine cornershop. They’ll be there every Friday night from 5PM to 10PM to test out the location, see how the space works, and contemplate a more permanent setup in the old Cowtown Pizza location. So mark your calendars and get ready to satisfy that craving for bonoPIZZA once more.

Update: Effective Friday April 24th, bonoPIZZA will be setting up the mobile pizza oven outside their new location on Ida Avenue behind the Giant Eagle near Grandview. They will be there both on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm-10pm for the next few weeks until construction is completed inside the new store.

From The Dispatch:

Clippers fever on tap across Arena District
By Bill Chronister

O’Shaughnessy’s Public House has an agreement with Schmidt’s to sell Bahama Mamas, fresh off the grill, in the restaurant. Frog, Bear & Wild Boar has declared itself the official pre- and post-game party place. Inside Huntington Park, Elevator Brewing Co., Bob Evans, Roosters, Tim Hortons, Donatos Pizza and City Barbeque all will run kiosks during the season.

[Read More]

This week, both HungryWoolf and ColumbusFoodie were busy hitting the Hills Market for items such as fresh morels and Blue Jacket Dairy cheeses. The Columbus Foodcasters have a new episode about the new Encore offshoot from Handke’s and the always popular topic of home brewing. Lisa the Waitress has just posted up a great guide for how local restaurants and other businesses can use twitter in more productive ways. And last but not least, Nick from Breakfast with Nick gets a nod in the Dispatch in their ongoing “Where the Locals Eat” featurette.

From This Week News:

Two breweries make delicious distinction between Scotch, Scottish ales
By Michael Paull

The changing seasons in central Ohio can keep those of us who pair our beer selections to the weather on our toes. At times like these, I turn to two of my favorite Midwestern Scottish ales Columbus 90 Shilling, brewed by Columbus Brewing Co., and Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale, by Founder’s Brewing Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich.

[Read More]