18 reasons to check out The Barrel House

By Amelia Robinson

The beer revolution rages on.

The Barrel House has joined Dayton’s rapidly expanding craft beer scene.

The bar and upscale carryout has held preview events all week, but officially opened at 417 East Third Street on Jan. 30.

The stylized and welcoming beer oasis’ regular hours will be noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Visit barrelhousetap.com for more info.

We couldn’t wait to checked out the long-awaited 45-seat bar and upscale carryout owned by Jeff Heater and his cousin Kimberly Collett, the owner of nearby Olive, an Urban Dive restaurant.

Here’ a look at what’s inside.

1. Green Board

Customers will have the option of buying beers and ciders in the following amounts: a 5 or 12 ounce glass, a 32 ounce howler or 64 ounce growler.
2. Family affair

Maternal first cousins Jeff Heater and Kimberly Collett co-own The Barrel House.
3. Olive Companion

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The restaurant wines can be paired with meals served at Olive, which is located across the street and owned by Kimberly. Customers are allowed to carry beverages into the restaurant. Kimberly came up with the idea for a bar which will feature desserts and other select foods from Olive.

Growls and Howlers welcome
4. 20 taps

Barrel House offers 17 rotating beers on tap. It also has taps for red wine, white wine and cider.
5. Historic Growlers

Growlers from Jeff’s personal collection decorate The Barrel House, including one from the long-gone Miami Trail Brewing Company of Xenia. Ahead of craft beer’s time in the Dayton area, the brewery was started by a group of 10 doctors, lawyers and businessmen. It rolled out its first barrel March 17, 1998 under brewmaster Steve Betts. It closed in March of 2000.
6. Make your own six packs

Customers have the option of customizing their own craft beer six pack. Eventually, Heater said only single bottles and cans will line the shelves of the beer section. Single cans and prepackaged, same-brand six and four-packs will also be sold.

More beers to come
7. Carefully selected bottles

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Andréa Morales Castellano of Olive selected the wines sold in the bar and carry out. Andréa said the wines were selected to mesh with Olive's philosophy. Several are Earth-friendly or vegan.
8. Cell Phone Booth

The Barrel House has a phone booth for those who need to slip away for a quiet cell phone conversation. Patrons can even charge their phones in the booth that conjures thoughts of England red telephone boxes.
9. The Library is Open

Take a book, leave a book.

Owners have set up a lending library for those looking for a book to read in the bar or one to take away. The Barrel House has a coffee house/wine shop/craft beer hangout feel. Sitting a spell and reading works.
10. Imbibing Monkees

The logo on The Barrel House’s T-shirts has a Barrel Full of Monkeys game feel, only its monkey is enjoying a pint.
11. More beers to come

The business plans to expand its selection of craft beer options even further, so get ready.
12. Sexual Chocolate

Slo Down Wines Sexual Chocolate is also sold at The Barrel House. The label reads: “This bottle originated from a boot-legging operation my buddies and I had in college. We started making wine knowing that it would be used for late-night drinking, and that the French are annoying. It took some time, but we finally ended up with this full-bodied red that goes well with Wednesday nights and pizza. We use grapes from all over California, so we recommend this be drunk with immediately, and shared with girls.”
13. You've got to have a T-shirt

The Barrel House will sell its T-shirts for $15-17 each.
14. Wines with personality

Slo Down Wines Broken Dreams Chardonnay is among the wines sold in the business. Andrea, the wine buyer, took care to pick wines with uniqueness and personality.

Sexual Chocolate
15. Rockin' Wine

Jeff said he had to feature Wines that Rock. Those up for grab include The Police Synchronicity Red Wine Blend, Rolling Stones Forty Licks Merlot, Pink Floyd's Cabernet Sauvignon and Grateful Dead Red Blend.
16. Growls and Howlers welcome

The Barrel House will fill 32-ounce glass howlers and 64-ounce glass growlers from any other tavern, brewery or bar.
17. Cap décor

Beer caps decorate an incredible table at The Barrel House. —
18. Helpful bartenders

The Barrel House’s staff is more than willing to help customers pick out a pint or three.