If you drive down Clough Pike in Cincinnati, you might miss it. Honestly, many people do. Nestled inside a Mio’s Pizzeria in Anderson Township, Happy 2 Brewing Company doesn't look like your typical industrial-chic taproom with soaring ceilings and exposed ductwork.
It's basically a brewery hidden inside a pizza joint.
For years, the local beer scene has been dominated by massive operations like Rhinegeist or MadTree, but Happy 2 operates on a different wavelength. They aren’t trying to take over the world. They just want to make your pizza night better. Some folks dismiss it as "just a pizza place that happens to have beer," but that’s a mistake. Since they officially ramped up their nano-brewing operation around 2019, they’ve been putting out some of the most consistent, unpretentious pours in the Queen City.
The Weird History of a Pizza-Brewery Hybrid
You’ve got to appreciate the hustle of brothers John and Dave Maddrill. Most people think they just started recently because the "Happy 2" branding feels fresh, but these guys have been in the game since 1994. They were crafting batches long before the "craft beer revolution" was even a thing in Ohio.
The brewery operates as a "brewpub" model, but with a twist. Instead of building a standalone facility, they integrated the brewing system directly into the Anderson Mio’s location at 8298 Clough Pike. It’s a symbiotic relationship. You get the high-quality, deck-oven pizza Mio’s is known for, paired with small-batch beers you can’t get anywhere else.
It’s small. Like, really small.
We’re talking about a nano-brewery setup where the owners are often the ones actually cleaning the tanks and kegging the product. Because they aren't tied to massive distribution contracts, they can experiment. If a batch of New England IPA doesn't work, they fix it. If a weird coffee-infused Kolsch sounds fun, they brew it.
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What to Actually Drink (and What to Skip)
Let's get real about the tap list. Not everything is a home run, but when they hit, they hit hard.
The Heavy Hitters
If you’re a fan of the "haze craze," you’re looking for Cloudy Clough. It’s a New England IPA that sits at about $7.9%$ ABV. It’s tropical, it’s juicy, and it’s the beer that put them on the map for local enthusiasts. It has that velvety mouthfeel that separates the good NEIPAs from the ones that just taste like pulp-free orange juice.
Then there’s Also Amber. It’s a 6.2% ABV Amber Ale that is, quite frankly, a workhorse. In a world where every brewery is trying to out-hop the next guy, having a solid, malty, reliable Amber is actually kind of refreshing. It’s the "comfort food" of their beer list.
The Experimental Stuff
You’ve also got to look out for their collaborations. They often work with Luckman Coffee Company for brews like Happy Go Luckman, a Kolsch-inspired ale brewed with heaps of Sumatra coffee beans. It’s a bit of a mind trip—it looks like a light ale but smells like a fresh pot of morning brew.
- Crispy Shifty: A 5% ABV Kölsch that is exactly what the name implies.
- Midnight Rickshaw: An Imperial Stout ($12%$ ABV) often aged in New Riff Distilling bourbon barrels. This one is a sipper. Do not order this if you have a long drive ahead.
- The Goat: A 7.5% ABV Bock that leans into those rich, toasty malt flavors.
One thing that surprises people is the price point. Most pints hover around $6.50. In 2026, finding a true craft pint for under seven bucks is becoming a rarity. They also do a decent amount of "to-go" business with 4-packs and growler fills, which is perfect if you just want to grab a pizza and a sixer for the weekend.
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The Vibe Check: Why It’s Not for Everyone
Look, if you’re looking for a sprawling beer garden with cornhole sets and a DJ, Happy 2 isn’t your spot. It feels like a neighborhood bar. It’s loud. There are families eating pepperoni pizzas. There are sports on the TVs.
Some critics on Reddit and Untappd complain that it’s "too much like a restaurant." And yeah, if you’re a "brewery purist" who needs a sterile environment to contemplate the notes of pine in your West Coast IPA, you might find the smell of garlic and mozzarella distracting.
But for the rest of us? It’s authentic.
There’s something remarkably honest about a brewery that doesn't try to be "cool." They aren't trying to sell you a lifestyle; they're selling you a drink. The owners are often around, and the staff actually knows the regulars by name. It’s the "Cheers" of Anderson Township, just with better beer and significantly better crust.
Breaking Down the "Nano" Reality
Operating a nano-brewery is a logistical nightmare. You have no economy of scale. You’re buying grain in smaller quantities, which costs more. You’re brewing more often just to keep the taps full.
Happy 2 manages this by keeping their footprint small. They don't have a massive marketing budget. They rely on the foot traffic from the pizzeria and the word-of-mouth from the "Cincinnati Beer" community.
This small-scale approach means the beer is almost always fresh. When you’re only brewing a few barrels at a time, the turnover is high. You aren't drinking a keg that’s been sitting in a distributor’s warehouse for three months. You’re drinking something that was likely in a bright tank a week ago.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head out to Clough Pike, here’s how to do it right:
- Check the Tap List First: Use the Untappd app or their website. Because they are a nano-brewery, the list changes constantly. If you’re coming specifically for the Midnight Rickshaw, make sure it’s actually on tap.
- Tuesday is the Secret Win: They often run specials like $4 off two pints and a pizza. It’s the best value in the township.
- Parking is a Pain: The lot can get cramped during the dinner rush. If you can, arrive a little before the 6:00 PM surge or later in the evening after the families have headed home.
- Try the Flight: Since the styles vary wildly—from a 5% Kölsch to a 12% Stout—get a flight. It’s the only way to see the range of what John and Dave are actually doing back there.
- Respect the Pizza: Seriously, don't just drink. The Mio’s partnership isn't just a convenience; the food is legit. The stuffed crust is a local legend for a reason.
Happy 2 Brewing Company represents a segment of the industry that often gets overlooked: the hyper-local. They aren't trying to be the next national brand. They are content being the best brewery in their square mile. In an era of corporate-owned "craft" brands, that kind of local grit is worth supporting.
Next time you're in the East Side, skip the big names for once. Go find the pizza place with the brewing tanks in the back. Order a Cloudy Clough, grab a slice, and see why "happy" is literally in the name.
To get the most out of your visit, I recommend checking their social media for "Small Batch Sunday" announcements, where they often release one-off kegs that never make it to the permanent menu.