New Moerlein Beer Release

Next Thursday May 6th Christian Moerlein will be throwing a release party for their newest creation "Northern Liberties IPA" inspired by Cincinnati's rich immigrant history in the neighborhood north of Liberty St in OTR. The ceremonial keg tapping will occur from 5:30 - 8:30pm at the Rookwood Pottery building 1920 Race St in Over the Rhine. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (this includes food and drinks).
For more info and to purchase tickets go to: www.christianmoerlein.com

Live from City Council Finance Committee Meeting

1:05pm
Waiting for meeting to start. Lots of supporters here. Some anti-streetcar celebrities such as Tom Luken. Shouldn't be hard to deal with him, we've got John Schneider here.

1:28
Monzel is introducing a motion to suspend all spending on the streetcar. Alot of BS. Just called it a "trolley folly". Ghiz is speaking in support of the motion. More BS

1:32
Bortz is speaking and really sounding good in support of the streetcar. Lots of applause.

1:35
Winburn, showed up late. Said he was against the streetcar, but that he would "listen" to the arguments. Monzel speaking again. More BS. No valid pts at all. Poor Tom Luken was the only one that clapped for
Monzel.

1:40.
Qualls speaking, excellent points about job creation, subsidies for highways... Lots of applause again. Bortz up again.
Cecil Thomas speaking, generally in support of the project. Lots of
positive words about OTRs potential. Wants to see investment in the streetcar now.

1:47
Monzel's motion defeated. On to item 18. Speakers from the crowd are up. Excellent commentary so far.

2:10
Still listening to commentary. Not a single word against it yet, though Tom luken is up next.

2:42
vote coming..quinlavin speaking. All council members giving final speeches

3:25
We may be getting a vote on Bonds today also!

3:30
Issue 18 passed 6:2:abstained (winburn)

3:37
no voting on the
bond issues today

Christian Moerlein Comes Home!!

For the first time since the start of Prohibition in 1919 residents of Over the Rhine will be able to enjoy the scent of Christian Moerlein beer being brewed in the heart of Cincinnati's original German brewery district! This is very exciting news for the neighborhood and Cincinnati. Read the press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE             

MOERLEIN, HUDEPOHL, SCHOENLING, BURGER
AND LITTLE KINGS ALL COMING HOME
CHRISTIAN MOERLEIN BREWING COMPANY
ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN BREWING OPERATIONS
IN CINCINNATI’S HISTORIC OVER-THE-RHINE
BREWERY DISTRICT  

FIRST MOERLEIN TO BE BREWED IN OVER-THE-RHINE
SINCE START OF PROHIBITION IN 1919
_____________________________________________________________________

CINCINNATI, OHIO – April 16, 2010 – Christian Moerlein Brewing Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co. is announcing plans to expand brewing operations to Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District. The site of the new brewing operation will be the former Husman Potato Chip plant located 1621 Moore Street just north of Liberty and east of Vine. “We are proud to be part of the continued renaissance and economic development of Over-the-Rhine,” said Greg Hardman President and CEO of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company.

“Our goal is to strategically implement a phased in production over the next two years from both existing production on some of our specialty beers and from the continued rapid growth our brands,” said Greg Hardman. The company has entered into a lease agreement with an option buy for the 125,000 square foot facility that will enable the company to expand their business for many years to come; additionally, the buildings sound infrastructure and historical significance were main considerations in choosing the Over-the-Rhine location. The site was also the malt and lager house of the former Kaufman Brewing Company from 1869 through 1919 (till start of prohibition).  
 
Initial plans call for minor renovations of offices and general clean up of the facility so the company can relocate its corporate offices from its current Middletown location. It is envisioned the company will employ up to 25 at this location in 2011.
 
The history of Christian Moerlein dates back 157 years to when the brew master Christian Moerlein, an immigrant from Truppach Bavaria, Germany brewed his first beer in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine Brewery District in 1853. Christian Moerlein ceased operations at the start of prohibition and did not resume operations after prohibition ended in 1933. In 1981, Christian Moerlein was brought back to the Cincinnati market by the Hudepohl Brewing Company as one of the first commercially sold American craft beers and the first American beer to certifiably pass the German Purity Law of 1516 known as the Reinheitsgebot. Local ownership of the brand was lost when out of town owners purchased the brand assets of the Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company in 1999 and later moved production to Maryland. Beer industry veteran and greater Cincinnati resident Greg Hardman purchased Christian Moerlein in 2004 bringing back the local ownership along with an additional commitment to bring back the local brewing heritage. Brewing operations are scheduled to begin in the new Over-the-Rhine location beginning in 2011.         
 
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company would like to thank the Over-the-Rhine Foundation and its Executive Director Mike Morgan for dedicating an amazing amount of time and creativity in seeing this vision come to fruition. The OTR Foundation filled a much needed role, which was making necessary connections with all parties, assisting in negotiations and untangling numerous real estate issues. “Through the OTR Foundations efforts, it literally saved us time and resources we would have had to allocate otherwise. I’m not sure we would have moved along on this project without their assistance,” said Greg Hardman.     
 
Additional thanks goes to the City of Cincinnati who assisted through Senior Development Officer Jeff McElravy by coordinating numerous city agencies regarding water and sewer usage and availability, transportation planning and the city pre-development team in helping much needed answers to make our decision to move forward.

Since our inception in 2004, growth initiative firm Cincinnati Growth Partners have been at the front end of our strategic decision making process. From our initial purchase of the Moerlein Brand and all remaining brand assets of the former Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company, to the Moerlein Lager House in the Cincinnati Riverfront Park and the current production brewery, Mark Signorelli Managing Partner and his team have been vital assets to our strategic growth and decision making processes.
###
Christian Moerlein Brewing Company is the brewer of handcrafted Moerlein Lagers & Ales including Moerlein OTR Ale, Moerlein Lager House, Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark Lager, Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA, Moerlein Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Marzen, Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale, Moerlein Friend of the Irishman Stout and Moerlein Emancipator Doppelbock. More information on Moerlein Lagers & Ales can be obtained at www.christianmoerlein.com .
  
Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Co. is the brewer of Hudy Delight, Hudy 14-K, Burger Classic and Little Kings Cream Ale and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. More information on Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company beers can be obtained at each brands website at www.hudydelight.com , www.hudy14-K.com , www.burgerbeer.com  and www.littlekingsbeer.com .     

Save the Gamble House

I wanted to draw everyone's attention to the following post in regards to the recent news that the historic Gamble House in Westwood is now in imminent danger of demolition. Your participation could help save this beautiful building.
Please Click Here to Read

Staying Positive about the Streetcar

Thanks to John Schneider for these words about today's streetcar news:


Dear Cincinnati rail supporter,

I thought it would be good to compile an overview of what has transpired with respect to today's award of several TIGER streetcar grants. This is a long compendium that provides some perspective that you may find valuable. Please read it all if you have the time.

First, and foremost, Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory has issued this statement:


Good afternoon –

As you may have heard, the Cincinnati Streetcar project was not one of the projects that received federal funding today from the TIGER grant. I want to assure you that this does not hurt the Streetcar project.

We have applied for funding from several different state and federal sources. Today’s announcement simply means that we did not receive this particular grant. In fact, out of 61 projects to receive funding today, only four streetcar projects were selected.

The federal government announced $1.5 billion in grants today. That is from over $56 billion in applications. Our project is simply one of many good projects that will be competing for the other funding that is still available. And, let me be clear, we are confident that our Streetcar project is one of the best projects in the country.

One of the pots of money still available is the Urban Circulator grant program, which is intended for streetcar-type projects. The reality is that after today’s announcement, there are four fewer projects competing with us for that funding.

There is going to be a lot written and said about today’s announcement and what it means for the future of the Streetcar project. I want you reassure you that despite the chatter, the Streetcar project is still on target and is going to lead to new businesses and job creation in Cincinnati.

I want to thank you for your support. Together we are going to continue to move our City forward with a bold vision for the future.

Mayor Mark Mallory


www.mayormallory.com

and Cincinnati City Manager Milton Dohoney provides more detail here:

I wanted you to hear from me on the news of the City’s TIGER Grant application from the US Department of Transportation for the Cincinnati Streetcar project. As you may know, we did not receive funding in this round. Let me be clear: Today’s announcement does not hurt the viability of our Streetcar project. The Mayor and I have experience in these types of federal processes, and that is why we did not put all of our eggs in one funding basket. Our resolve has not changed.

We have two other applications for the streetcar:

· Urban Circulator (Federal) - $25 million - This Grant Program is specifically for Streetcar type projects. The four streetcar projects that did receive money today are now not eligible for these funds. We believe this improves our positioning.

· TRAC Grant - Ohio (Transportation Review and Advisory Committee) - $50 million.

In fact, the Mayor and I have been invited to a Streetcar Summit in Washington DC next week to present our streetcar project at the Summit. We will meet with Members of Congress and key White House and Administrative staff about it.

Cincinnati has received positive feedback over the past year from Members of Congress and White House staff about our project and its benefits for our city.

We continue to believe that the Streetcar project is a game-changing project for Cincinnati that will lead to new businesses and job creation.

Thank you for your ongoing interest in and support of the Cincinnati Streetcar project.

Onward and Upward.

Milton

[END]

Four cities were undoubtedly elated to receive grants to build or expand their streetcar systems. But others, like Cincinnati, aren't giving up. And perhaps there's some guidance for our continuing efforts in the several stories which follow.

Today's streetcar grant winners included these cities:

DALLAS: Today's announcement cements the idea that we are building a streetcar line from Methodist Hospital to downtown and that can't be anything but good for Oak Cliff.

http://oakcliffblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/federal-grant-to-support-oak-c.html



NEW ORLEANS: The project will cover the costs of a roughly 1.5-mile streetcar from the Union Passenger Terminal to Canal Street.

http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/new_orleans_awarded_45_million.html



PORTLAND: TIGER funds will be used to reconstruct SW Moody Avenue in the South Waterfront area. The project will elevate the roadway by 14 feet to cap contaminated soils. It will include three traffic lanes, dual streetcar tracks and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

http://bikeportland.org/2010/02/17/tiger-grants-streetcars-win-big-again-and-no-nirvana-for-bikes/



TUCSON: The project will construct a 3.9 mile modern streetcar line in the City of Tucson that connects the city’s major activity centers, including the Arizona Health Sciences Center, the University of Arizona main campus.

http://www.infrastructurist.com/2010/02/17/the-tiger-grants-which-states-were-the-big-winners/



And then some reactions from the cities that weren't successful today, but aren't giving up:

SALT LAKE CITY: The city could snag a second round of stimulus -- $600 million in additional Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14419119



ATLANTA: It was disappointing to learn that we did not get the grant, but at the same time, it is encouraging to see the commitment of our partners remaining intact.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/despite-grant-rejection-atlanta-309384.html



FORT WORTH: In Fort Worth, the idea would be to reconnect the downtown area with the museum district and medical district with electrified streetcars -- modernized versions of the trolleys that were removed from the area decades ago.

http://startelegram.typepad.com/honkin_mad/2010/02/no-federal-funding-for-fort-worth-streetcars.html



BOISE: Boise had sought $40 million to help pay for a $60 million, 2.3-mile loop of track connecting several downtown districts.

http://www.localnews8.com/Global/story.asp?S=11998907



So there you go. Many cities competed, and a handful won. Cincinnati was unsuccessful on just the first of four potential rounds of funding. The winners and losers are all cities to be admired for their energy, pluck and success. We're in good company.

There's a common denominator here: connect your downtown with your cultural centers, universities, and medical centers. And that's Cincinnati's plan.

I'm taking the long view here. What our Mayor, City Manager, City Council and Congressional representatives are trying to do is to even the terms of trade under which Cincinnati and other cities labor today. It's taken seventy years to get us into the hole we're in, and it's going to take a while to dig us out. But you look at the unmistakable progress in Cincinnati and in many of these other cities that you may know personally, and it gives you some confidence that the pendulum is swinging our way. We're now well into a long and complicated process that most of us will live to see to completion.

Meanwhile, as City Manager Dohoney said so well, it's "Onward and Upward" from here. We'll get there.

Thanks for listening, and never give up.

John Schneider

Florist to Open in Over the Rhine

See Here for an Explanation: Click Here

A Vision for the Future

I just saw this video today and thought it would be nice to share with anyone out there reading this blog. It's a nice look at how well new transportation options can work in the future with a little bit of progressive thinking and smart planning now. Even though Cincinnati is very close to adopting a streetcar system and being reconnected with other cities via high speed rail, we still have a long way to go before we can hope to achieve such convenient and smart travel options. I just wanted everyone to use this video to help point your imagination in the right direction. Cincinnati's downtown region and its suburbs could equally benefit from streetcars, lightrail, and highspeed rail. I think this video gives a brief, but helpful glimpse in what that sort of system could do for the average Joe (even if Joe lives in Blue Ash).
Enjoy! Comments welcome as always!