Walk into the corner of 4th and 4th on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll hear it before you see it. The hum of a hundred different conversations. The sharp clack of a food truck window opening. The sound of Columbus, basically. Seventh Son Brewing Columbus isn't just a place where people drink fermented grain water; it has become the literal anchor of the Italian Village neighborhood.
It’s weird to think that back in 2013, this patch of land was mostly just aging warehouses and "for lease" signs. When Jen Burton, Collin Castore, and Travis Bost opened the doors, they weren't trying to build an empire. They just wanted to make good beer. Now, they’ve got a massive production facility, a second brand called Antiques on High, and a third called Getaway Brewing. It’s a lot.
But let's be real for a second. Most people don't go there because they’re thinking about the business logistics of a multi-taproom operation. They go because of the roof. Or the cat. Mostly the cat.
The Assistant Manager with Four Legs
If you haven't met Assistant Manager Horatio, have you even been to Seventh Son Brewing Columbus? He’s a domestic shorthair with a better social media presence than most local politicians. He’s usually found patrolling the patio or judging your choice of an IPA from a distance.
There’s something about a brewery cat that just makes a place feel less like a corporate "concept" and more like a neighborhood garage that happened to install 20 draft lines. It’s that lack of pretension that keeps people coming back. You see people in $500 boots sitting next to guys who just finished a shift at a literal garage. It’s a mix. It’s Columbus.
The Beer: Beyond the Hype
Let's talk about the liquid. Seventh Son isn't one of those "hype" breweries that only makes triple-fruited sours that taste like melted popsicles or stouts that are basically motor oil and brownies. They do those things, sure, but their backbone is built on stuff you can actually drink two of.
- Humulus Nimbus: This is their "Pale Gold" Ale. It’s the one everyone starts with. It’s crisp, it’s got that classic Pacific Northwest hop profile, and it won’t wreck your palate for the rest of the day.
- Scientist: An American IPA that actually tastes like an IPA should. Citrusy. Piney. A little bit of a bite.
- Stone Fort: An Oat Brown Ale that is deeply underrated. It’s malty and smooth without being cloying.
- The Seasonal Rotations: They do some wild stuff with the "Kitty Paw" seltzer line, which, honestly, is better than it has any right to be.
The brewing team, led by Colin Vent, plays with a level of consistency that a lot of the newer, flashier spots struggle to hit. When you order a Seventh Son IPA, you know what it’s going to taste like. That sounds boring, but in an industry where "batch variation" is often an excuse for "we messed up the fermentation temp," consistency is a superpower.
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Architecture and the "New" Seventh Son
If you haven't been in a few years, the physical space will probably shock you. The 2018 expansion was a massive gamble that paid off. They added a second floor with a retractable glass roof.
It’s incredible.
On a sunny day, the roof slides back and suddenly you’re in an outdoor beer garden that’s fifteen feet above the street. When it rains, they shut it, and you get to watch the storms roll over the Columbus skyline while staying bone-dry. The design, handled by the folks at Moody Nolan, managed to keep the industrial grit of the original warehouse while adding enough greenery and light to make it feel like a conservatory.
The Logistics of a Visit
Look, parking in Italian Village is a nightmare. It just is. If you try to park right out front, you’re going to spend twenty minutes circling the block and contemplating your life choices.
Pro tip: Just Uber. Or ride a bike. There’s plenty of bike parking, and the neighborhood is walkable enough that you can hit Seventh Son, then wander over to Middle West Spirits or The Market Italian Village without needing to move your car.
Why the "Seventh Son" Name?
People always ask about the name. Is it some weird cult thing? No. It’s folklore. The "seventh son of a seventh son" is supposed to be born with special powers—healing, second sight, that kind of thing. While I haven't seen Jen or Collin heal anyone lately, they did have the foresight to buy into a neighborhood before it became the hottest real estate market in the city. Maybe that counts as second sight.
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They’ve used that "power" to fuel a lot of community work too. They’re constantly hosting fundraisers or doing collaboration beers where the proceeds go to local non-profits. They aren't just taking up space; they’re actually part of the ecosystem.
Food Trucks: The Rotating Kitchen
One of the smartest things Seventh Son Brewing Columbus ever did was decide NOT to have a kitchen.
Running a kitchen is hard. It’s a different business entirely. By hosting a rotating cast of the city’s best food trucks, they keep the experience fresh. One night it’s Mikey’s Late Night Slice, the next it’s Dos Hermanos or a local barbecue setup. It’s a symbiotic relationship. The brewery provides the thirsty crowd, and the trucks provide the reason to stay for "just one more" because you need something to soak up that double IPA.
The Reality of the "Brewery District" Shift
For a long time, if you wanted to go "brewery hopping," you went to the actual Brewery District south of downtown. But Seventh Son changed the gravity of the city. Their success paved the way for the "North End" explosion. Now, you’ve got Hoof Hearted, Wolf’s Ridge, and Jackie O’s all within a reasonable distance.
But Seventh Son remains the "OG" of this specific era. They survived the craft beer bubble burst that’s currently claiming a lot of smaller taprooms across the country. They did it by diversifying.
- Antiques on High: Their South High Street location focuses on sours and wild ales. It’s moody, it’s got a fireplace, and it feels like a mid-century modern living room.
- Getaway Brewing: Located in Dublin, this spot is themed around travel. Different vibe, same commitment to quality.
What Most People Miss
People think of Seventh Son as a "party" spot because the patio gets packed. But if you go on a Tuesday at 3:00 PM, it’s a different world. It’s a co-working space. You’ll see a dozen people with laptops, sipping a pilsner and typing away. The Wi-Fi is solid, and the natural light in the upstairs bar is better than any office building in the Short North.
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There’s also the "hidden" details. The art on the cans, often featuring work from local artists. The way the staff actually knows their stuff—if you ask about the hop profile of a specific experimental batch, they won’t just stare at you blankly. They actually care.
Common Misconceptions
People sometimes complain that it’s "too crowded." Well, yeah. It’s a popular place. If you want a quiet, meditative experience, don't go at 8:00 PM on a Friday.
Another one? "They only make hoppy beers." Untrue. While they definitely lean into the IPA craze because, well, that’s what pays the bills, their lager program has quietly become some of the best in Ohio. Their "Italian Village Lager" is a masterclass in subtlety. It’s hard to make a beer that tastes like "beer" but better. They nailed it.
The Actionable Guide to Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip to Seventh Son Brewing Columbus, don't just wing it. Follow this loose plan to actually enjoy yourself:
- Check the Food Truck Schedule: They post it on their website. If you hate tacos (who are you?), don't show up on taco night.
- Aim for the "Shoulder" Hours: 4:00 PM on a weekday or noon on a Sunday. You’ll actually get a seat on the second floor without having to hover over someone like a vulture.
- Respect the Cat: Seriously. Don't pick up Horatio. He’s a professional. Let him come to you.
- Try a Flight: They have so many taps that committing to a full pint of something experimental can be risky. Get the flight.
- Grab Cans to Go: Their retail fridge is always stocked with stuff you can’t find in the grocery store. The "provisions" shop is a great way to support them if the bar is too full to grab a seat.
Seventh Son isn't just a brewery anymore. It’s a landmark. Whether you’re there for the Humulus Nimbus, the retractable roof, or just to say you saw the cat, it’s a required stop for anyone trying to understand what Columbus culture looks like in the 2020s. It’s loud, it’s busy, it’s a little bit industrial, and it’s remarkably consistent. That’s about as "Columbus" as it gets.