Yellow Springs Brewery Opens a Columbus Outpost in the Former Home of the Crest Gastropub

The establishment at the corner of Crestview and Indianola in Clintonville has long been a neighborhood gathering place—Crest Tavern, anyone? That convivial dive was followed by the trendier Crest Gastropub in 2013. After a decade, the space began a new chapter as Yellow Springs Brewery Taproom & Kitchen last fall. Located in the heart of Yellow Springs since 2013, the brewery has long had a place on Columbus draft lists and in bottle shops—now it has a physical taproom.  

Yellow Springs has retained the shape of the Crest, with the central U-shaped bar, tables scattered throughout and the all-weather patio. Many of the wood accents remain, although a fresh coat of paint highlights Yellow Springs’ warm yellows and blues. A giant mural of the brewery’s logo adorns the back wall. Many of the tables and stand-alone bar counters remain, but the back tables have been replaced by booths, and the patio is furnished with rows of narrow picnic tables. 

The taproom features a dozen Yellow Springs beers on draft. First-timers should try signatures like the Boat Show ($7.50), an easy-drinking, fruit-tinged IPA that should restore faith in the style for hop-weary palates. Likewise, Captain Stardust ($7) saison offers a soft blend of spice and citrusy hops. The brewery leaves room on the tap handles for interesting one-off brews and seasonal offerings, too. Nonbeer drinkers will be pleased with a selection of seltzers, ciders, wines and nonalcoholic brews. 

The full bar also means a respectable cocktail program at the taproom. It doesn’t deviate too far from the standards, but the bar still introduces some creative sips. The Crestview Negroni ($12), for example, mixes London dry gin with Watershed bourbon barrel gin, sweet vermouth, Cynar, Campari and tiki bitters. The Spiced Apple Daiquiri ($12) blends spiced rum, Watershed apple brandy, lime juice, honey demerara syrup and tiki bitters.  

Yellow Springs’ taproom fare is clearly designed to complement its beers without venturing too far into creative territory. The single-page menu features a half-dozen sandwiches, nine snacks and a few kids’ items. The cheese curds ($11) and poutine fries ($12) draw on Yellow Springs’ neighbor, Young’s Jersey Dairy. The poutine is a little light on the gravy but topped with a fried egg. 

Easy wins include the basket of fries with Boat Show beer cheese ($12), a pretzel basket ($10) and butternut hummus with chimichurri ($10). Sandwiches are all nicely composed and run the gamut from a cheeseburger with candied bacon ($16) to a French dip layered lightly with horseradish ($18). Several dishes are vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. 

While early visits were marked with service delays, Yellow Springs’ Columbus outpost has rightfully been humming with activity—a good sign that this neighborhood haunt is still alive and well. 

Yellow Springs Brewery Taproom & Kitchen 

2855 Indianola Ave., Clintonville, 614-261-7128, yellowspringsbrewery.com

This story is from the March 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly.