Combustion Brewery & Taproom

What Combustion Brewery & Taproom does

Combustion Brewery & Taproom is a privately held craft brewery founded in April 2017 by Keith and Sarah Jackson in Pickerington, Ohio. The company produces a rotating portfolio of in-house craft beer (IPAs, ales, stouts, pilsners, barrel-aged beers) plus a hard apple cider (Picktown Cider) at its Pickerington production facility, which also houses a 20-tap taproom. A second 83-seat taproom operates in the Clintonville neighborhood of Columbus. The company sells directly to consumers through on-site draft and packaged beer (crowlers, growlers, cans), branded merchandise, paid brewery tours, and four venue rental products (Saloon, Barrel Room, High Tops, Gallery), plus a dedicated 150-guest Private Event Space used primarily for weddings and corporate events, and a mobile five-tap party van for off-premise events.

Revenue is generated across six primary streams: on-site beer and cider sales (transactional), merchandise and gift cards (transactional), brewery tours (transactional), private event rentals (transactional), party van rentals (transactional), and tiered subscription memberships — Mug Club ($79/yr), Cocktail Society ($99/yr), Uncorked Club ($89/yr), and Combustion Platinum ($250/yr) — which provide discounts, monthly pours, birthday perks, and exclusive event access. A branded mobile app, built on the TapWyse platform, is the operational backbone for the loyalty stack. Distribution is exclusively domestic (Ohio), direct-to-consumer or direct-to-event-buyer, with no wholesale or third-party retail disclosed. Marketing relies on the company website, email newsletter, organic social media, and listings on The Knot and WeddingWire for the weddings vertical.

The business has accumulated sustained third-party validation, including three consecutive Best Brewery in Central Ohio awards at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup (2022, 2023, 2024), a 2024 World Beer Cup Silver Medal for Nocino Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, a 2019 King of Ohio Gold for Now We're Talkin' Double IPA, and multiple Best of Weddings recognitions (The Knot 2021-2023, WeddingWire Editor's Choice). The company has no disclosed funding, no parent organization, no subsidiaries, and operates as an independent craft brewery owned and operated by its founders.

Name

Combustion Brewery & Taproom

Legal name

Combustion Brewery & Taproom

Website

https://combustionbrewing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Combustion Brewery & Taproom is a privately held Ohio craft brewery operating two taprooms (Pickerington and Clintonville/Columbus), producing in-house beer and cider, and generating revenue through on-site sales, private event venue rentals, tours, merchandise, mobile party van service, and tiered subscription memberships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewery

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082)

akta.pro primary industry

Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Alcoholic Beverage Tours & On-site Experiences (Brewery/Winery/Distillery) (THAFALAK)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Brewery taproom operations
• Private event venues
• Mug club memberships
• Hard cider production

Headquarters

HQ city

Pickerington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. On-site Beer Sales: Direct sales of craft beer and cider at taproom locations, including draft, cans, crowlers, and growlers
2. Merchandise Sales: Online and on-site sales of branded merchandise including apparel, glassware, accessories, and gift cards
3. Brewery Tours: Paid tours of the brewing facility including various tasting experiences
4. Private Event Rentals: Rental of event spaces for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings
5. Van Rental: Mobile draft system rental for off-site events featuring five-tap draft system
6. Loyalty Programs: Annual membership programs including Mug Club, Cocktail Society, Uncorked Club, and Combustion Platinum offering discounts and exclusive benefits

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Combustion Brewery & Taproom operates two Ohio taprooms (Pickerington since April 2017 and Clintonville in Columbus) where it brews and serves craft beer and Picktown Cider made in-house. The business offers on-site draft and packaged beer sales, multi-tier annual membership clubs (Mug Club, Cocktail Society, Uncorked Club, Combustion Platinum), private event venues including a 150-guest space, brewery tours, a mobile draft van rental, and branded merchandise.

Product overview

Combustion Brewery & Taproom is a craft brewery with two taproom locations in Ohio (Pickerington opened April 2017, Clintonville as second location). The core offering is fresh craft beer brewed in-house at the Pickerington location, featuring 20 rotating taps plus Picktown Cider. The business operates a multi-tiered membership loyalty program (Mug Club, Cocktail Society, Uncorked Club, Combustion Platinum) accessible via their mobile app. Additional revenue streams include venue rentals for private events (The Gallery, High Tops, Saloon, Barrel Room, and the full Combustion Private Event Space for up to 150 guests), experiences (brewery tours and party van rental), and merchandise sales. The Clintonville taproom serves 83 seats with 10-20+ rotating beers from the main brewing facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Combustion Private Event Space: Wedding venue and event space located above the Pickerington taproom, accommodating up to 150 guests.

Products and services

• Craft Beer Fresh craft beer brewed in-house at the Pickerington production facility with 20 rotating tap handles spanning a wide variety of styles including IPA, blonde ale, stout, pilsner, and seasonal favorites. Sold on draft and packaged to-go at both taproom locations.
• Picktown Cider Hard apple cider made in-house with aromatic notes of fresh apple juice, slightly tart with a crisp finish. Available on tap at both taproom locations.
• Pickerington Taproom The original location at 80 W Church St Ste 101, Pickerington, OH 43147, opened April 2017. Features 20 tap handles, a large patio, family-friendly saloon, bar area with high-top tables, and a barrel room for small private parties.
• Clintonville Taproom Second taproom location at 2971 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202 with 83-seat capacity, offering 10-20+ regularly rotating craft beers brewed at the Pickerington facility.
• Cocktail Society Membership $99/year or $11/month membership offering $1-off cocktails daily, $2-off cocktails on Wine & Cocktail Wednesday, a monthly $5 cocktail, $1 birthday cocktails (up to 2), 10% off merchandise and tickets, and early access to special events.
• Uncorked Club Membership $89/year or $10/month wine club offering $2-off wine pours on Wine & Cocktail Wednesday, a monthly $5 wine pour, 10% off bottle sales, $1 birthday wine pour, and exclusive Uncorked Club bottle sales.
• Mug Club Membership Annual membership priced at $79/year or $9/month (shop item $60/year). Benefits include $1-off upgraded pours daily, $2-off upgraded pours on Tuesdays, $2-off Crowler & Growler fills, 10% off merchandise, $5 off 1-4pk monthly, and $1 birthday beers.
• Combustion Platinum Membership $250/year or $25/month top-tier membership combining all benefits from Mug Club, Cocktail Society, and Uncorked Club.
• Punch Cards Loyalty Punch cards earned for Combustion Run, Music Bingo, and Trivia events; 5 punches equals $5 off 1 in-house drink. No membership required.
• Brewery Tours Pickerington brewery tour experiences including standard Brewery Tour ($5/person, 30 min), Tank Pour Tour ($15/person, 45 min with sample glass and tank pour tasting), and VIP Tank Pour Tour ($50/person, 2 hours with sample glass, tank pour tasting, and guided flight of core beers). Each accommodates 10-15 people.
• Party Van Rental Mobile five-tap draft system van rental for off-site events including block parties, weddings, corporate events, and festivals. Includes delivery, setup, and breakdown. Van Setup Fee: $300, Beer Minimum: 2x 1/6 bbl kegs ($100-120 each), Keg Deposit: $30 per keg (refundable).
• Combustion Private Event Space Private event venue at 80 W Church St Ste 200, Pickerington, OH 43147, accommodating up to 150 guests. Features include full draft list, private bar, natural light, elevator access, and staff-provided setup. Suitable for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings.
• The Gallery (Clintonville Venue) Clintonville reserved area within the taproom with capacity for 30 guests. Features configurable seating and sightlines to taproom TVs. Rates: $50/3hrs Tue-Thu, $100/3hrs Fri-Sun, plus additional hourly fees.
• High Tops (Pickerington Venue) Pickerington high-top reserved area seating up to 18-20 guests with three high-top tables and two 55-inch TVs. $50/3hrs Tue-Sat, no charge for Sunday and Tue-Sat before 2pm.
• Saloon (Pickerington Venue) Pickerington saloon area available for Sunday reservations, accommodating up to 30 guests with direct access to main bar and ample natural light. Half-saloon reservations available for smaller gatherings.
• Barrel Room (Pickerington Venue) Semi-private room at Pickerington with flat-screen TV, HDMI connectivity, pinball machines, skee-ball, and dart boards. Suitable for birthday parties, baby showers, watch parties, and small meetings. Capacity up to 20 guests.
• Merchandise Shop Online and in-store merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts, flannel shirts, hawaiian shirts, tanks, work shirts), accessories (hats, trucker hats, beanies, sunglasses, scarves, ties), drinkware (coffee mugs, water bottles, growlers, glassware), and novelty items (candles, ornaments, dog collars, disc golf discs, playing cards, stickers, posters).
• Digital Gift Cards Digital gift cards available from $5-$500, purchasable and customizable through the ToastTab platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Best Brewery in Central Ohio 2022, 2023, 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Food Truck PartnersminorOthersRotating selection of food trucks at Pickerington location including Kubido Kabobs, Explorer's Club, Sazón Latin Food Fest, Tito's Asian Kitchen, Valle Verde, Taquitos, Schmidt's, Oh Yum!, Zaki Mediterranean Grill, Little Italy, Pitabilities, Tortilla, Roadster, Cupzilla, Rolling Bistro, Spanglish, Romeo's Pizza, Guelaguetza Mexican Street Food, My Chick'n Bites, Squeaky's Cheese Curds, Red Head Chef
• The KnotminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding venue listing platform featuring The Knot Best of Weddings recognition for 2021, 2022, and 2023. Customers can book and review through The Knot marketplace.
• WeddingWireminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWedding venue directory platform. Combustion Private Event Space is listed as an Editor's Choice Award Winner for Ohio/Columbus wedding venues.
• PVA OktoberfestminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for annual PVA Oktoberfest event held in the Combustion parking lot featuring music, food trucks, vendors, and beer.
• Lion's Club Car ShowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for annual Lion's Club Car Show event in Pickerington Village featuring free community events in the Combustion parking lot.
• Upright PressminorOthersLocal printer for Prints & Pints 2019 merchandise including Imperial Breakfast Stout posters designed by Pete Morgan.
• Katie Lee Co. Custom CraftsminorOthersLocal artisan creating exclusive Hop Earrings for Combustion Brewery sold through the shop.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rhinegeist Brewery: Cincinnati-based craft brewery operating a large taproom with on-site service, private event space, and multiple award-winning beer programs. Comparable to Combustion as an Ohio craft brewery with taproom-led, experience-driven revenue model.
• Land-Grant Brewing Company: Columbus craft brewery with a taproom and event-focused revenue model, operating in the same central Ohio market and pursuing comparable local community-anchored positioning.
• Wolf's Ridge Brewing: Columbus taproom brewery known for award-winning beers and elevated food program; directly comparable to Combustion's emphasis on quality brewing and taproom experience.
• BrewDog (BrewDog USA): Multi-location craft brewery with taprooms, event spaces, and subscription-style loyalty programs. Comparable business model — brewing plus destination taproom plus membership.
• Columbus Brewing Company: Columbus-based craft brewery with taproom, distribution, and locally recognized beer portfolio. Competes directly for the same central Ohio craft drinker that Combustion serves.
• Hoof Hearted Brewing: Ohio craft brewery with taproom and well-known brand-led merchandise program; shares Combustion's focus on rotating styles, beer culture, and branded merchandise.
• Actual Brewing Company: Columbus craft brewery with taproom presence and rotating experimental beer program. Competes for the same craft beer enthusiast demographic in central Ohio.

Regional players

• Karbach Brewing Company: Houston-based craft brewery with taproom, event space, and family-friendly positioning; similar multi-revenue-stream approach in a different regional market.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Large, established craft brewer with taproom operations; broader geographic reach and distribution, providing a template for scaling beyond local taproom sales.
• Stone Brewing: Large craft brewery operating destination taprooms and restaurants with diverse event programming; broader scale but comparable taproom-as-destination model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CombustionBT
• Facebookfacebook.com/CombustionBrewing

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Combustion Brewery & Taproom