
Craft beer fans have a big reason to love Richland County. Laxton Hollow Brewing Works, which opened its doors in the village of Lexington, Ohio in 2016, brews and serves a class of authentic ales that are almost impossible to find anywhere else in the United States. When you're in the area touring Lexington homes for sale, we highly recommend paying Laxton Hollow Brewing Works a visit.
You might not know it, but ales that are brewed using traditional methods are extraordinarily rare in America. In fact, there's a good chance you've never had one. But with such a tremendous boom in craft brewing in recent years, how can it be that this style of beer is so hard to come by?
The answer is simple: real ale is difficult to make. Most so-called "ales" brewed in America are either force-carbonated (kind of like soda pop) or dispensed from a keg using pressurized carbon dioxide gas. A real ale, on the other hand, is brewed using traditional ingredients and is dispensed directly from the cask it was brewed in. The beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized, and most important of all, carbonation isn't added artificially; it's a natural byproduct of the yeast, which is still active right up to the end. This process affects everything from the body of the beer to the flavor, giving it subtle notes, complexity and a delicate, frothy head.
This is how beer is brewed and served at Laxton Hollow Brewing Works. It's the only way they make beer. Brewing beer in casks died out in America during the early 20th century. Thanks to Laxton Hollow, these rare and unique ales are finally available stateside.
Laxton Hollow's owner and brewmaster Ken Dudley devised the recipes for these cask-brewed ales himself, based largely on traditional English styles dating back hundreds of years. The whole operation is based on quality, not quantity. Laxton Hollow's intensive brewing process means it typically turns out about 150 gallons a week, making it Ohio's smallest brewery.
Ales like the Laughing Pirate Porter, Rigsby's Grotto Golden Ale, Lord Badger Bitter and The Inventor ISB are available in the Happy Grape tasting room, adjacent to the brewery. You can also grab a small cask to go, and enjoy the ale at your leisure.
A growing craft beer renaissance is just one reason to pay Lexington, OH a visit. Nestled among the rolling hills and farmlands of Richland County, it's a beautiful village with a character all its own. Here you'll find splendid outdoor attractions like Clear Fork Reservoir and Bicentennial Park, along with a cozy village packed with historic homes and unique local businesses.
Whether you're sampling traditional ales at Laxton Hollow Brewing Works, grabbing a bite next door at the Happy Grape, or experiencing any of Lexington's other excellent local pubs, cafes, and eateries, you'll never run out of new things to experience. We think it's a lovely place to call home, and we have a feeling you'll agree.
Contact us today to learn more about life in Lexington. If you're ready to get started on the path to homeownership, our REALTORS® are here to help you every step of the way.