March First bought Woodburn. And if you’ve been following along with either one of their stories (Woodburn or March First) I think that that news will make you pretty excited. I have a lot to say about it, and a lot to not say about it, too. Which might need a little explanation in itself – this is gonna take a minute – hang in there with me.

Woodbuuuurn – and Burning The Past.

From day one I fell in love with Woodburn, and I know that a lot of you were in that same boat. You loved the beautiful taproom and you loved some of the amazing people that opened those doors and turned an empty shell of a former Dry Cleaner/Bank/Movie Theater into a craft beer oasis. It was a space that somehow could feel high-class and relaxed at the same time. You could bring a date there on a Saturday night and then your college buddies on a Sunday to watch the game.

That’s not easy to do… But Woodburn did it. I don’t need to spell out for you why Woodburn was special. We all have our own stories and our own feelings about what the brewery was when it opened its doors. On the flipside, I don’t think that I really need to dive into how you had your personal falling out with the brewery, and the brand. Lord knows I’ve written plenty about that before… I’m over it, and I’m ready for someone to flip over a new leaf and remind me of the good.

Oh – hello there March First.

The Phoenix Rises

Born from the ashes of the former stories of Woodburn – this is a new story. Woodburn is now part of the March First/Figleaf/Cincinnati Distilling family. With that comes an exciting rebirth for the space, for the beers, and for a neighborhood that is still ready for this place to succeed. If anyone can do it, I know March First can. If you look at the last year or so that these guys have had – it’s been epic.

When they aren’t cranking out great beer/delicious booze/tasty ciders/fun seltzers… they’re focusing on incredible taproom experiences. They renovated their original taproom in Blue Ash, bought FigLeaf and renovated that space, and are headlong into an insane construction project in Milford to restore the old Millcroft into a new distillery space. I’m thrilled to see what they do to bring Woodburn back into the hearts of drinkers that are ready to belly up to that bar again.

It’s a new experience, built from some of the best parts of what made that taproom so great.

So… What Can We Expect?

Woodburn is not going away… the name stays, although with some new refreshed branding possibly on the way… it’s going to be a little bit of a process.

The space also, of course, stays but it’s going to get a little bit of a facelift. While they’re waiting on the license changes and whatnot to happen, you’ll see lots of things happening at Woodburn. A new kitchen, a lounge and additional seating… it’s all gonna kick things up a notch and bring Woodburn into a new era that we call all be proud of.

When you belly up, you’ll still find the Woodburn beers that you remember as well as some of your favorite March First and Figleaf Beers, too. Booze? Duh… Cincinnati Distilling will be front and center and Astra hard seltzer will also make an appearance on the draft lines. The brewery is being very clear in telling us that the Woodburn beers that we loved so much will still be around, they’ll keep making them from their same recipes and hold true to the Woodburn that we loved.

In fact: Finally – you’ll be able to find these Woodburn beers in cans as they move them into distribution around the area. It’s gonna be fun.

When Are We Talking?

You know by now how these things go, right? Breweries don’t often open “on time” and this isn’t any exception to that – especially in this Covid-world that we’re living in. They have to wait on paperwork for the license and whatnot – which is not a fast process right now.

The press release says they are hoping for Spring to Summer 2021 – and I’ll just throw an “ish” to it to cover myself in the meantime. Here’s what I can promise you – when there’s an reopening (or rebirth as I like to think of it) date – you’ll find it right here on the website. I’m thrilled about seeing this happen, and can’t wait to dust off my old Woodburn mug club mug and saddle back up to that bar.

Stay tuned for more details and sneak peeks as this keeps developing – but it’s time to get excited again!