Sip these Lighter-Flavored Craft Beers from Dayton

As someone who leans toward the Mich Ultra side of the beer spectrum, I also spent my 20s in Dayton during the craft beer boom, so I had my share of local craft beer over the years. I’ve compiled a list of local craft beers that I love that don’t stray way too wildly far from my watery domestic roots.

Fly Light – Warped Wing

Craft breweries fought a good fight in the battle against light beers but ultimately we won. Now we have tasty light beer from Warped Wing that doesn’t make us as full, and this one is particularly good.

Captain Stardust – Yellow Springs Brewery

Captain Stardust-fueled blogging – December 2017

Every 30something Dayton girl you know has probably had a Captain Stardust or two (and probably also loves Raspberry Springer). I feel like Yellow Springs Brewery was a little faster to start canning their beer than others (I need to double check that) and this was everywhere, which was a treat, especially for those of us who couldn’t make it out to Yellow Springs all the time.

Trotwood – Warped Wing

At the Trotwood Urban Campout May 2016

I had the chance to attend Warped Wing’s Trotwood launch party back in the day and I remember being really excited they had a second lighter-flavored beer on their menu. I’m still a big fan!

Gold Eagle – Bock Family Brewing

Gold Eagle from Bock Family Brewing – February 2024

This is a recent favorite and Bock Family Brewing is such a great place to visit, too. Keep an eye out for their events – they always have something fun going on.

Daytonian Rhapsody – Eudora Brewing Company

Craft show at Eudora – February 2024

Another recent favorite: Daytonian Rhapsody from Eudora makes me feel very seen as a Daytonian who likes beer that just maybe isn’t as aftertaste-y as others.

Ermal’s – Warped Wing

Me enjoying an Ermal’s at Warped Wing – 2014

When almost every craft brewery was playing a game of ‘how many IPAs can we make instead of any other kind of beer,’ Warped Wing gave us Ermal’s – a cream ale. I drank many of these before Trotwood entered the scene.

St. Anne’s Pils – Fifth Street Brewpub

I have so many great memories of Fifth Street Brewpub. They opened so close to where I lived at the time and it was fun to see them grow. St. Anne’s Pils is perfect to sip on their amazing patio.

OK, Karen – Toxic Brew Co.

Toxic was the original Dayton brewery and had the first taproom that I remember. I loved that they grew hops out front – but it did also serve as a bit of a warning that there are a lot of hops inside, too. I appreciate that they make OK, Karen – probably named that for a reason…

Whether you call them easy drinkers, summer beers, etc. lighter-flavored craft beers are definitely my favorites and luckily Dayton breweries are making lots of options I love.

If you would be interested in much better beer content, check out Final Gravity Zine.

Want craft beer but not from just one brand? Check out these Dayton Craft Beer Bars.