USA, OH: Goodwood Brewing & Spirits opens its largest location yet in Columbus

Louisville's largest brewery, Goodwood Brewing & Spirits, has opened its largest location yet in Columbus. The brewpub is now open in the Arena District, bringing a bit of Kentucky to the Buckeye state, The Columbus Dispatch reported on March 16.

At 401 N. Front St., Goodwood has taken over the former home of Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, which closed two years ago following the bankruptcy of its corporate parent.

The location is 13,400 square feet indoors and 900 square feet outdoors and came ready with furnishings and beer equipment. Goodwood added its own equipment, amenities and flair, including an upgraded audio system, shuffleboard and occasional live music. A full kitchen with a built-in pizza oven and brewery is onsite. The space also features two event rooms.

The menu is wide-ranging, with many Southern-inspired dishes and "Goodwood originals."

Starters include fried green tomatoes ($13), the Goodwood "totchos" ($16 with brisket or pork, $17 with bourbon barrel stout chili), Bavarian pretzel ($13), and wings ($13 to $26).

Also featured are salads, burgers, sandwiches (brisket grilled cheese, anyone?) and other entrees, many of which are beer or bourbon-infused.

That includes shrimp and grits ($25), the bourbon-brined pork chop ($23), blackened catfish ($18), and chicken and waffles ($18). Don't glaze over the sides either as there's a wide variety at $5 each, like seasoned fries, chips and tots ($6 for Cajun or $7 for truffle seasoning), cheesy grits and spicy braised collard greens, or premium sides like the beer mac n' cheese and sweet potato mash for $7.

Sweet potato reappears on the dessert menu with the sweet potato beignets ($9). There are also cookies and cakes, as well as seasonal desserts.

Goodwood's cocktail specials build upon Kentucky-based spirits: The Kentucky Sangria ($11) combines Wheatley vodka, house-crafted vanilla bean simple syrup, pineapple, orange, basil and a red wine float; another special, the Just Her Cup of Tea ($11), features Woodford Reserve, fresh mint, sweet tea and lemon.

Guests can create beer or bourbon flights or choose from six domestic beers and seltzers ($6 to $7), ciders ($9, $10 with flavors), wine and an extensive offering of spirits with a particular emphasis on Kentucky-based distilleries.

Goodwood began distributing its beer in Ohio last week. The company is still seeking state approval to sell its bourbon in Ohio, which owner and CEO Ted Mitzlaff expects to start in the next month or two.

Rebecca Redding, vice president of marketing for Goodwood, said the brewpub is excited to be in Columbus.

"We're really excited about all the sports teams here, and being right next to the stadium, it's really cool," she said. "We're just excited to have a restaurant full of people cheering on their favorite teams."

Goodwood's hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The brewpub will also serve brunch on the weekends, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

E-malt.com, the global information source for the brewing and malting industry professionals. The bi-weekly E-malt.com Newsletters feature latest industry news, statistics in graphs and tables, world barley and malt prices, and other relevant information. Click here to get full access to E-malt.com. If you are a Castle Malting client, you can get free access to E-malt.com website and publications. Contact us for more information at marketing@castlemalting.com .