Fifty West Brewing Co.
2026 MADE Business of the Year Finalist
Every gem has something that makes it shine. What would you say is your greatest strength or “sparkle,” and how does it show up in your/your organizations work?
Our hospitality. We put exceptional care into training our staff to make sure every guest has a great experience when they visit. Great food and beer may bring people in, but it’s our thoughtful, welcoming staff that truly sets Fifty West apart.
A Bit About Fifty West Brewing Co.
In 2012, Fifty West Brewing Co. was born in a historic home on US Route 50 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Our brewpub wasn't just any old building; it was rumored to have been a speakeasy during Prohibition, supplied by none other than the infamous Cincinnati bootlegger, George Remus.
The name “Fifty West” came naturally, inspired by the cross-country highway right outside our front door, but as we learned more about the building's past and George's involvement, we discovered that he made a name for himself by sneaking his product onto Route 50 and heading west.
That provided the perfect inspiration for our mission. We thought, “Hey, that's what we're going to do too!”
Our simple goal back then, when most people thought beer was only as good as it was cold, was to make incredible craft beer and educate our customers on what makes different beer styles great. Local craft beer was new to our city, and we believed that by educating people on the variety of styles and flavors, we could show them why it was worth it. We wanted everyone to understand that there was more to beer than just being cold, it was about the unique tastes, the craftsmanship, and the stories behind each brew.
Like any great road trip, you know the direction you're headed in, but what happens along the way is actually where the memories are made! As the crowds flocked to taste our beer, we discovered the real power of beer was creating community. We saw the joy of bringing people together and realized our calling might be bigger than just making great beer in a brewery for adults. The shared experiences, the laughter, and the connections, these are the components that were the hidden keys to our success.
Route 50 state-inspired burgers, fries, and shakes followed shortly behind, and Fifty West became what it is today: a place where family and friends can gather and celebrate. From the incredible food and drinks we serve, to the amazing people we employ, to our loyal customers we are so fortunate to welcome with open arms, Fifty West aims to bring joy to the communities we serve.
Learn A Bit More
What does being part of the Mason-Deerfield business community mean to you?
Share 2–3 fun facts about you/your organization that people in the MADE community might not know.
If your company culture, or personal persona, had to be summed up in five words or less, reflective of a
gemstone, what would they be?
Our mission is to bring joy to the communities we serve. In Mason, that means creating an amazing space where families can eat, drink, play, and spend time together, all while delivering exceptional hospitality and continually pursuing excellence in everything we serve.
1The VW bus booth in our Deerfield taproom is named Jude, after The Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” In fact, all of our VW buses are named after Beatles songs or references!
One of Fifty West’s most iconic retired events was called Punch Out, a brewery-vs.-brewery boxing event hosted at our Wooster Pike location. Participating breweries would send us a keg, and a boxer, to step into the ring and represent their brewery.
Deerfield was the first Fifty West location built entirely from the ground up rather than adapted from an existing structure. That gave us the opportunity to design the space intentionally around families, creating a place where kids and adults alike can eat, drink, play, and spend time together.
Joyful, thoughtful, vibrant, welcoming, genuine