🥃 Pop the Cork: DoG Distilling Company Opens in Lewis Center!

LEWIS CENTER, OH — June 9, 2025 — Calling all spirit aficionados in Central Ohio—DoG Distilling Company just threw open its doors, transforming the historic 1800s schoolhouse at 3773 E. Powell Rd into Delaware County’s premier dog‑themed craft distillery. The grand opening marks a thrilling chapter in Ohio’s growing spirits scene—especially for bourbon and rye lovers.

🐶 A Unique Legacy with Doggone Charm

Owners Kevin and Lauri Webb, alongside partners Kelly and Wes Stark, traded their home‑brew setup (aptly named “Distillers of Galena,” aka DoG) for this beautifully restored schoolhouse. Once a Christmas décor shop and pottery studio, the venue retains its exposed brick, high ceilings, and antique lighting—channeling speakeasy vibes while welcoming furry friends (with an in‑house mascot, Brinley!).

🏭 From Batch to Bottle, Straight Ahead

A state-of-the-art production facility rises behind the main building, pumping out house-made vodkas, gin, and, for now, rye whiskey and bourbon. DoG’s second rye batch famously sold out in record time—leaving only about 20 bottles lingering, according to their live updates.

🍹 Elevated Cocktails, Gourmet Bites

But this isn’t just another distillery tasting room. With a bar curated by a Top‑100 U.S. bartender, expect craft cocktails that delight far beyond whiskey & Coke. Combined with upscale small plates, a rotating lineup of beloved local food trucks, and inviting outdoor spaces (patio + firepit), DoG serves as an elevated social hub for the region.

🍾 Grand Opening Highlights

• Date & Location: Open now at 3773 E. Powell Rd, Lewis Center.

• Production Beverages: Vodka, gin, rye whiskey, and more to come.

• Availability: Bottles available on‑site and in OHLQ retail partner stores 

• Ambience: Elegant, dog-friendly environment in a storied schoolhouse.

• Events: Food truck feasts, cocktail features, and community tastings kick off weekly.

🌟 A Boozy Boon for Columbus Bourbon Lovers

DoG Distilling not only adds rich flair to the local spirits market—it stands as a testament to Central Ohio’s inventive palate and community roots. Whether you're chasing a bold rye, artisanal vodka, or simply a beautifully crafted cocktail under the stars by a firepit, DoG promises memorable evenings and a new favorite hangout.

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Tip for your next visit: Stop in soon—those rye bottles are disappearing fast. And while you're there, snap a selfie with Brinley or puppy Zoe for the ’gram—they’re the distillery’s official charm. Cheers to a doggone good time in Lewis Center! 🥂

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Note: This was written with ChatGPT as an experiment to see if it is any better than a few years ago when I tried (https://www.columbusbourbon.com/2023/02/chatgpt-version-of-watershed-rye.html). As you can read, this article is much better. 

Simple Times Mixers Introduces New Products - Old Fashioned and Lavender + Lemon Cocktail Syrups

Columbus-based Simple Times Mixers has unveiled two exciting new cocktail syrups, just in time for the holidays. Known for their ultra-premium, all-natural cocktail mixers, Simple Times continues to impress with sustainable practices and high-quality ingredients. Their latest offerings, Old Fashioned and Lavender + Lemon syrups, are crafted using upcycled lemon and orange peels from fresh, in-house juiced fruit.

With a price of just $15.99 per bottle, each syrup can create up to 32 cocktails—perfect for entertaining or gifting this holiday season.

• Old Fashioned: Made with nothing artificial, this syrup combines the highest quality Demerara sugar, fresh orange peel, real cinnamon, cardamom, clove and a mix of high-end bitter roots. Combine a quarter ounce of syrup with two ounces of your favorite bourbon for an Old Fashioned made at home in less than 15 seconds.
• Lavender + Lemon: Full of real lavender and fresh lemon peels, shake with two ounces of vodka or gin for the easiest and freshest Lavender Martini.

OHLQ Announces 2024 Single Barrel Saturday - November 16 @ 9am

Ohio Liquor has announces this year's Single Barrel Saturday will be November 16, 2024, at 9:00 A.M., and will feature more than 150 barrels available at more than 200 locations statewide. This year's event is moved up a few weeks as it happened December 9th last year. 

Jeptha Creed Distillery Unveils Red, White & Blue Bourbon Batch Three

Jeptha Creed, the Kentucky craft distillery owned by a mother-daughter duo Joyce and Autumn Nethery, offering a range of award-winning spirits, proudly announces the launch of its third batch of Red, White & Blue Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Developed to show appreciation for current and past military members, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the non-profit organization CreatiVets.

OHLQ 2024 Autumn Bottle Lottery Announced - Starting October 21

In a change from previous years, the annual State of Ohio Pappy lottery has been moved up from Winter to Autumn for 2024. The 2024 Autumn Bottle Lottery consists of the very sought after Buffalo Trace brands, including multiple ages of Pappy Van Winkle (more details below). Entries will be accepted for the lottery beginning at 12:01 A.M. on October 21, 2024. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. on October 28, 2024.

Exclusive Raffle: Win a Fireside Chat and more with Julian Van Winkle III - Benefiting the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky

Here’s your opportunity to win an exciting Bourbon Experience with Julian Van Winkle III. Your $100.00 chance benefits the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky. The winner will be drawn at this year’s Brain Ball on Friday, November 15. You do not need to be present to win. Get more details below! 

OHLQ 2024 Summer Bottle Lottery Recap

The Ohio Department of Liquor (OHLQ) has posted the results of the 2024 Summer Bottle Lottery Winners. Sadly, I kept my losing streak alive and didn't win 😞. 

Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces 2024 Summer Bottle Lottery - August 12 (Today) - Link to enter below

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the 2024 Summer Bottle Lottery. This lottery includes:

• HEAVEN HILL HERITAGE 2024 COLLECTION - $299.99 (PLUS TAX) - 4037B
• ROCK HILL FARMS SINGLE BARREL BOURBON – $65.00 (PLUS TAX) - 5338B
• WELLER SINGLE BARREL - $55.98 (plus tax) - 9528B

OPENS: Monday, August 12, at 12:01 a.m.

CLOSES: Monday, August 19, at 11:59 p.m.

You can enter here. Best of luck to everyone. 

Watershed Distillery, in Partnership with OHLQ, to Release Six Limited Single Barrels

Watershed Distillery, in partnership with Ohio Liquor (OHLQ), has announced its annual exclusive single-barrel release collaboration and invites Ohio bourbon lovers to collect a winning hand. Together, the teams at Watershed Distillery and OHLQ have handpicked six exceptional single-barrel selections. These expressions will start hitting shelves at select OHLQ locations across the state beginning on June 25. This Ohio-only limited release is available while supplies last.  

OHLQ Announces Russel's Reserve and Wild Turkey Release for Father's Day - June 15

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced a Russell's Reserve and Wild Turkey release for Father's Day on June 15 at 9:00am at select retailers. The stores will be announced prior to the release on June 15 at the OHLQ website. For this release, the State has procured 11 barrels of Russell’s Reserve Private Selection Bourbon ($69.99 + tax) and 4 barrels of Wild Turkey Rye Private Barrel Selection ($79.99 + tax).

Wild Turkey Opens Modernized Visitor Center Called 'The Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience'

Wild Turkey Distilling Co., the award-winning distillery known for its iconic bold Kentucky bourbon, today announces the opening of the Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience. This newly renovated visitor center, named in honor of the legendary master distiller, embodies the brand's deep-rooted commitment to Kentucky hospitality. The destination, set to attract bourbon aficionados worldwide to Wild Turkey Hill, is now open for public tours and tastings and represents a significant step in the ongoing expansion of the Wild Turkey campus.

Michter's Announces 2024 Release Of 10 Year Rye

For the first time since becoming the first American whiskey to be named the World's Most Admired Whiskey, Michter's will be releasing its acclaimed 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye. The release is a single barrel product bottled from stocks over ten years old that have been selected by Michter's production team.

OHLQ Announces Four Roses Private Selection Barrel Strength - May 11 @ 9am Only

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced 13 barrels worth of Four Roses Private Selection Barrel Strength hitting stores for one day only on May 11 at 9am at select locations for a price of $99.99 + tax. This is the same as a release last year, but the price has jumped $25 (or 33%).

OHLQ Announces George Dickel 15 Year Single Barrel Exclusives - Arriving Week of April 29

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced 11 barrels worth of George Dickel 15 Year Single Barrel hitting stores starting today (April 29) for a price of $69.99 + tax. 

Jeptha Creed Distillery Launches 6-Year Wheated Bourbon

Jeptha Creed, a women-owned craft distillery offering a range of award-winning craft spirits, proudly announces the launch of its 6-Year Wheated Bourbon. Known for the ground-to-glass maxim, the Jeptha Creed family farm grows renowned Bloody Butcher Corn, a non-GMO heirloom varietal that imparts a uniquely sweet yet nutty flavor profile to Jeptha Creed’s diverse and growing portfolio.

Got a Few Extra $1000's Sitting Around... Woodford Has The Junk For You!!!

Woodford Reserve is commemorating the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby with several unnecessary and overpriced commodities! The first being the Woodford Reserve Baccarat Edition, which is a Cognac cask finished American Whiskey, aged in handcrafted couture barrels seasoned in the Kentucky Derby Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs®, and is presented in stunning Baccarat crystal. 

In their words, this is 'a unique and extraordinary expression of American Whiskey for the low price of $15,000 + tax.'

Bulleit Frontier Whiskey 12-Year-Old Rye returns after five years

After five years, a 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal, and a clamor of requests from bartenders and fans alike, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is announcing the return of its 12-Year-Old American Straight Rye Whiskey.

Watershed Distillery Releases Batch 002 of Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon

Watershed Distillery announces the release of batch 002 of Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon. The release will be available at the distillery and select Ohio liquor stores beginning on April 10. 

This rare bourbon spends over four years in barrels until it is ready to be bottled without added water or filtration. Uncork each bottle to find exactly what was in the barrel—bourbon that is untouched, unbothered, uncut, and unfiltered.

Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) Announces 2024 Spring Bottle Lottery - Starting April 8 (Today) - Link to enter below

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced the Spring 2024 Bottle Lottery. The 2022 Spring Bottle Lottery had 55,272 entries for 966 total bottles available (1.748% odds of winning). I would expect this year to have at least as many entries. 

OHLQ Announces One Day Release - Elijah Craig Private Barrel Barrel Proof and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8-Year - 3/29

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control (OHLQ) has announced a bonus release of an exclusive selection of Elijah Craig Private Barrel Barrel Proof, as well as a limited supply of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8-Year. These products will be released at 9:00 a.m. at select OHLQ locations and will be available until sold out.