In case you missed the news last year, Rockmill Brewery outside Lancaster has new owners and is re-establishing itself after a rocky few years. Last June its operations were assumed by Austin Caulk and Taylor Scribner, who got engaged and married at the farm! They worked hard to purchase the brewery, eventually winning an auction earlier this winter.
Rockmill had been on rough ground thanks to the pandemic and the difficult exit of its original owner Matthew Barbee. (It also closed Rockmill Tavern in Columbus and its follow-up restaurant.) To read the full story, check out this feature in the January 2024 Columbus Monthly.
BUT… we were happy to reconnect with it again over Mother’s Day weekend. We hadn’t been out there since June of 2021 (you can also read my 2015 post), so it was good to sip beers on the lawn again.
A few years back Rockmill added a modern taproom to the property, with a full bar, fireplace, and shaded patio. The original farmhouse and taproom was used for events, although that’s currently dark.
The new taproom is brightly lit with natural wood accents.
There’s a stone fireplace to one end.
While the new owners work to rebuild the beer menu, there are only about 3-4 Rockmill brews on tap, along with several more guest taps from Ohio breweries, plus cocktails.
They also host food trucks pretty regularly. (Keep an eye on their social media to see who’s visiting.) There’s often a pizza truck, so we snagged a couple pies and a giant pretzel on our visit.
The patio is two levels, one stone and one grassy, with lots of shaded spots. Kids and dogs are welcome!
After we enjoyed some pizza and beer, we walked further into the property. The real charm of Rockmill is the giant lawn (it used to be a horse farm originally) with a big pond and a rustic little chapel. We brought a picnic and some blankets, plus a frisbee and a tennis ball to throw to our black lab.
The chapel is a really charming little spot. We have a number of friends who got married there over the years!
Rockmill is currently open:
- Thursdays, 4-9 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday, 12-9 p.m.
- Sunday, 12-8 p.m.
Rockmill Brewery
5705 Lithopolis Rd. NW
Lancaster, OH 43130
(740) 209-0114
FB: Rockmill Brewery
IG: @rockmillbrewery
