Inspired By Bavaria: Ohio’s Most Unique Craft Brewery
If you love great beer, fresh air, and a laid-back vibe, check out Wooly Pig Farm Brewery in Fresno, Ohio. This isn’t just a place to grab a drink—it’s’ a working farm where German-style lagers meet rolling pastures, a historic red barn, and, yes, actual curly-haired pigs roaming around.
A Farm with a Story
Long before it became a brewery, this 90-acre farm had been home to sheep, dairy cows, and crops for over 150 years. When brewmaster Kevin Ely visited in 2014, he saw something special—a place that reminded him of small farm breweries in Bavaria.
Its natural spring, open fields, and rich history made it the perfect spot to create a farm-to-glass brewery focused on classic German lagers. Kevin and his wife, Jael, teamed up with her brother, Aaron Malenke, a farmer, and his wife, Lauren, a veterinarian, to bring the vision to life.
Beer and Farm Life Go Hand in Hand at Wooly Pig Farm Brewery
The beer is inspired by traditional German brewing at Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, but the farm is just as much a part of the experience.
The stars of the show are Mangalitsa pigs, a rare breed known for their curly coats and insanely flavorful meat. Kevin first saw them in Germany and loved the idea of raising them alongside the brewery. Today, these pigs help with sustainability by eating the spent grain from the brewing process, and in return, they provide some of the best pork you’ll ever taste (more on that later).
But the farm’s influence doesn’t stop there. Wooly Pig Farm Brewery grows its hops, allowing them to create brews with farm-fresh flavors. They cultivate a variety of hops suited for lagers, ensuring a fresh and distinct taste that ties each pint back to the land. The farm also produces ingredients like maple sap and honey, which find their way into seasonal brews, giving each beer a local taste.
What’s on Tap at Wooly Pig Farm Brewery
If you’re looking for crisp, refreshing, no-fuss beers, you’re in the right place. Wooly Pig Farm Brewery focuses on clean, balanced, unfiltered lagers—beers that taste as good at the first sip as they do at the last.
Staple Brews
- Helles Lager – Smooth, golden, and easy to drink
- Keller Pils – A naturally hazy pilsner with a little hop bite
- Rye Dunkel – Dark, malty, and rich with a hint of spice
Seasonal & Farm-Inspired Beers
Being on a farm has its perks—throughout the year, they mix in fresh, locally grown ingredients to create some one-of-a-kind brews:
- Spruce Tip Lager – A light beer with a touch of pine
- Honey Cream Ale & Honey Bock – Sweetened with local honey
- Maple Sap Cream Ale & Maple Baltic Porter – Made with maple sap and syrup from the farm
- Peach, Pawpaw & Persimmon Beers – Featuring fruit from the family orchard
Wooly Pig Farm Brewery: A Pint with a View
A great beer deserves a great spot to enjoy it. Wooly Pig has plenty of places to kick back with a pint:
- Tasting Room – A restored barn with reclaimed wood, hand-built tables, and pig-shaped barstools
- The Pavilion – A covered, heated space open year-round
- Salettls – Cozy, private picnic shelters with fans in summer and heat lamps in winter
- The Lawn – A casual area with picnic tables, open space, and a view of the pigs
More Than Beer: The Wooly Pig Pork Shop
If you haven’t had Mangalitsa pork, you’re missing out. Known as the “Kobe” beef of pork, it is rich, juicy, and packed with flavor. The pigs here roam free, forage naturally, and are raised on pasture, making for some delicious eats.
You can order online and pick it up at the brewery. Some options include Bacon, Brats, and Pork Chops.
Come See What It’s About
Whether you’re a craft beer fan, a farm lover, or just looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy a drink, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery has something special waiting for you. Good beer, fresh air, and a little slice of farm life—what more could you ask for?
Drink up, slow down, and enjoy the farm. Visit Coshocton for more information on this captivating part of Ohio.
Look at this fascinating article on Ohio pottery heritage for your reading enjoyment.
