Rhinegeist Brewery
Rhinegeist Brewery is an independent Cincinnati craft brewer producing IPAs, lagers, pilsners, ciders, barrel-aged stouts, non-alcoholic beers, and THC beverages, sold through a destination taproom, wholesale distribution across nine states, and an online merchandise store.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Rhinegeist Brewery does
Rhinegeist Brewery is an independent craft brewery founded in 2013 by Bob Bonder and Bryant Goulding and headquartered in a 250,000 sq ft historic facility in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, the former packaging hall of Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. The company brews a diversified portfolio led by flagship IPA Truth (7.2% ABV), Juicy Truth hazy IPA, Cincy Light American lager, House Cat pilsner, Bubbles rosé fruited ale, Zappy hard cider, and seasonal/limited releases, alongside a growing non-alcoholic line (Ghost Pils, Ghost Hazy), premium barrel-aged stouts up to 15.8% ABV, and a THC beverage sub-brand called Fuzzy Bones. Production is anchored by a 1987 JV Northwest brewhouse and a quality/sensory program led by Chief Science Officer Jim Matt, a former Eli Lilly chemist who previously set up the lab at Sun King Brewery.
The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer sales through a 25,000 sq ft destination taproom and rooftop bar in Over-the-Rhine (with public tours at $10/person and private tours at $50 for up to 8 guests), wholesale distribution through distributors across nine states plus Houston, Texas (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, Wisconsin, plus Texas and Massachusetts), and a merchandise e-commerce store at shop.rhinegeist.com shipping to all 50 states. A second facility in Cincinnati's Camp Washington neighborhood supports expanded brewing capacity.
Customer segments are anchored by craft beer enthusiasts and Greater Ohio regional consumers, served through retail and restaurant on-premise accounts, the taproom experience, and community engagement via the Beer For Humans charitable program (supporting over 100 local nonprofits). Distribution relies on three-tier alcohol wholesale partners; pricing is unit-based across draft, packaged beer, growlers, crowlers, flights, tours, and merchandise. The company is privately held with no disclosed external institutional ownership and operates as a Brewers Association-certified Independent Craft Brewer.
Rhinegeist Brewery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rhinegeist Brewery
- Legal name
- Rhinegeist Brewery
- Website
- https://rhinegeist.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Rhinegeist Brewery is an independent Cincinnati craft brewer producing IPAs, lagers, pilsners, ciders, barrel-aged stouts, non-alcoholic beers, and THC beverages, sold through a destination taproom, wholesale distribution across nine states, and an online merchandise store.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rhinegeist Brewery industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Breweries (312120), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB)
Keywords
Where Rhinegeist Brewery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Rhinegeist Brewery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Taproom Beer Sales: On-site draft beer sales, bottle and can sales, growler and crowler fills at the Cincinnati taproom location.
- Draft Beer Distribution: Wholesale distribution of packaged beer and cider to retail accounts (stores, bars, restaurants) across multiple states through distributor relationships.
- Merchandise Sales: Online and taproom merchandise sales including apparel and accessories, shipped to all 50 states.
- Tour Admissions: Public brewery tours at $10 per person (includes a pint) and private tours at $50 per group of up to 8 guests.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Draft Beer and Cider |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Non-Alcoholic Beverages |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beer Flights |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Public Tours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Tours |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Rhinegeist Brewery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rhinegeist Brewery brews and sells a diverse portfolio of craft beers (IPAs, lagers, pilsners, barrel-aged stouts), hard ciders, non-alcoholic beers, and limited/seasonal releases, plus a THC beverage sub-brand (Fuzzy Bones). It operates a taproom and rooftop bar in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, distributes through wholesalers across nine states plus Houston, Texas, and runs merchandise e-commerce and on-site brewery tours.
Product overview
Rhinegeist Brewery is a craft brewery based in Cincinnati, Ohio, offering a diverse portfolio of beers, ciders, and beverages. The core product lineup centers on flagship IPA Truth and its variants (Juicy Truth, Half Truth, Truth Bomb, Truthadelic), complemented by year-round offerings like American Lager Cincy Light, Pilsner House Cat, Rosé Fruited Ale Bubbles, and Hard Cider Zappy. The portfolio extends to non-alcoholic offerings (Ghost Pils, Ghost Haze), seasonal releases (Summer Lemonade Shandy, Grapefruit Bubbles), limited releases (Brewer's Dozen, Uncle, various Cincy Light flavors), barrel-aged stouts (Barrel Aged Café Ink, Barrel Aged Ink, Bourbon Barrel Aged Night Whale), and a sub-brand for THC beverages (Fuzzy Bones). The company operates a taproom and rooftop bar in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, offers brewery tours, and runs the Beer For Humans community giving program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fuzzy Bones: A sub-brand/product line for THC beverages mentioned on the website at drinkfuzzybones.com.
Products and services
- Truth IPA Flagship India Pale Ale brewed with Pacific Northwest hops, featuring tropical fruit aroma, grapefruit and mango notes with a dry finish. ABV 7.2%, IBU 55. Year-round offering.
- Juicy Truth Year-round Hazy IPA featuring tropical notes of pineapple, fresh mango and bright citrus. ABV 6.5%. Available in cans (including 19.2oz) and on draft.
- Cincy Light American Lager brewed in partnership with Cincy Reigns benefitting student-athletes. Easy-drinking classic celebrating the Queen City. ABV 4.2%, available year-round in 12 packs, 24 packs and on draft.
- House Cat American Pilsner purring with bright floral and zesty citrus aromas, subtle bready notes and a crisp finish. ABV 5.2%.
- Bubbles Rosé Fruited Ale, a bright, dry, bubbly blend of apple, peach and cranberry for tartness and blush. ABV 6.2%.
- Zappy
Companies that use Rhinegeist Brewery
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rhinegeist Brewery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Rhinegeist Brewery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Cincy ReignsminorPartnership with Cincy Reigns benefiting student-athletes. Cincy Light beer was created in this partnership to celebrate the Queen City and the Red and Black of Cincinnati sports.
- 16-BitminorGaming collaboration for Press Tart beer, a Berliner Style Weisse Fruit Beer brewed with marionberries and blueberries, themed around 16-bit gaming.
- Revel OTRminorCocktail and wine partner for the rooftop bar, providing a selection of cocktails and wine alongside Rhinegeist's beers and ciders.
- Mac's PizzaminorPizza vending machine in the taproom offering pizza, wings, desserts and more for taproom customers.
- Local Nonprofits (Beer For Humans Program)coreMonthly charitable program where local nonprofits table at the taproom every Wednesday from 5-8pm. Each organization receives a donation plus any monetary donations from their dropbox at month's end. Over 100 local nonprofits supported including CancerFree KIDS, MUSE Cincinnati Women's Choir, Ziegler Park, Transform Cincy, 1N5, Brewing Heritage Trail, and many more.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rhinegeist Brewery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MadTree Brewing: Cincinnati-based craft brewery with comparable portfolio of hop-forward IPAs, year-round and seasonal releases, taproom operations, and regional Midwest distribution — direct local competitor for shelf and taproom share.
- Bell's Brewery: Michigan-based legacy craft brewery (now part of Lion) with comparable hop-forward flagship IPAs, broad Midwest/national distribution, and Eccentric Café taproom experience — benchmark for regional craft scale.
- Listermann Brewing Company: Cincinnati craft brewery with taproom, distribution across Ohio/Kentucky/Indiana, and broad year-round/seasonal portfolio — direct local competitor for taproom visits and regional shelf space.
- Sun King Brewery: Indianapolis craft brewery where Rhinegeist CSO Jim Matt previously built the QC lab; similar portfolio breadth (IPAs, lagers, seasonals), Midwest distribution footprint, and taproom-led GTM.
- Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. Cincinnati heritage brewery operating out of the same Over-the-Rhine historic brewing district Rhinegeist occupies; comparable craft lager and ale portfolio plus taproom/hospitality model and overlapping regional distribution.
- Dogfish Head Brewery: Delaware-based independent craft brewery (co-founder Bryant Goulding's prior employer); similarly diverse experimental/core lineup, multi-state East Coast/Midwest distribution, and taproom plus food concept.
- 3 Floyds Brewing: Indiana craft brewery with cult IPAs and hop-forward reputation, Midwest distribution, and brewpub — comparable style orientation and regional Midwest presence to Rhinegeist.
- Great Lakes Brewing Company: Ohio-based independent craft brewery with broad year-round and seasonal lineup, multi-state Midwest distribution, and taproom — closest scale analog within Rhinegeist's home market.
Emerging players
- Athletic Brewing Company: Leading non-alcoholic craft brewer whose Athletic Golden Ale and Hazy IPA are sold at Rhinegeist's taproom — direct competitor specifically in the fast-growing NA segment Rhinegeist is entering with Ghost Pils and Ghost Haze.
Broad incumbents
- New Belgium Brewing: Large national craft brewer (now part of Lion/Kirin) with broad portfolio including Fat Tire and Voodoo Ranger IPA — benchmark for the multi-state distribution scale Rhinegeist aspires to and competes with on shelves.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rhinegeist Brewery social profiles
Digital presenceRhinegeist Brewery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Rhinegeist Brewery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rhinegeist Brewery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Rhinegeist Brewery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rhinegeist Brewery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rhinegeist Brewery
What does Rhinegeist Brewery do?
Rhinegeist Brewery brews and sells a diverse portfolio of craft beers (IPAs, lagers, pilsners, barrel-aged stouts), hard ciders, non-alcoholic beers, and limited/seasonal releases, plus a THC beverage sub-brand (Fuzzy Bones). It operates a taproom and rooftop bar in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, distributes through wholesalers across nine states plus Houston, Texas, and runs merchandise e-commerce and on-site brewery tours.
Is Rhinegeist Brewery a public or private company?
Rhinegeist Brewery is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Rhinegeist Brewery founded?
Rhinegeist Brewery was founded in 2013. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Rhinegeist Brewery based?
Rhinegeist Brewery is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rhinegeist Brewery make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Taproom Beer Sales are the primary driver. The others are draft Beer Distribution, merchandise Sales and tour Admissions.
Who are Rhinegeist Brewery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MadTree Brewing, Bell's Brewery, Listermann Brewing Company, Sun King Brewery, Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., Dogfish Head Brewery, 3 Floyds Brewing and Great Lakes Brewing Company. Athletic Brewing Company is listed as an emerging player. New Belgium Brewing is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Rhinegeist Brewery have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rhinegeist Brewery.
What industry is Rhinegeist Brewery in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFALAB, Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service). Its NAICS code is 312120 and its SIC code is 2082.