A Weekend at BrewDog's DogHouse Hotel

Friday: West Virginia roads and a brewery dinner

We left around 6 p.m. Friday and chose between driving through Kentucky or taking the West Virginia route. The hotel price along the West Virginia path helped make the decision, although about $12 in tolls took back some of those savings.

Weathered Ground Brewing Company in Ghent became our dinner stop. The rustic brewery sat in a barn surrounded by farmland, with food, beer, music, and a relaxed crowd that made it feel like more than a place to break up the drive.

We continued to Parkersburg for the night, leaving roughly an hour and a half for Saturday morning.

Saturday: An Ohio brewery trail before check-in

With no firm plans before the DogHouse's 4 p.m. check-in, we turned the drive into a small brewery tour.

Little Fish Brewing in Athens was first. The bartender came across as gruff, but our waitress was friendlier. I ordered a brown ale, and we shared an unusual-looking queso that tasted better than its appearance suggested.

Loose Rail Brewing in Canal Winchester followed. Propane fire pits warmed the outdoor deck, and the beer list gave me room to experiment. My flight included a dark beer, a lighter option, and two sweet shandies. The dreamsicle-style beer was interesting, though a small pour was plenty.

Fantasy Cupcake became the final stop before the hotel. We picked up coffee, cupcakes, and buckeyes. The coffee had an unexpected flavor, the buckeyes were reliably good, and the salted-caramel cupcake was the standout.

Arriving at the DogHouse

Our first door at BrewDog led into the gift shop and brewery area. A large Lego model of the complex sat nearby, and a beer museum told the story of the company and its brewing.

At the desk, we received welcome beers and were invited to explore while the room was being prepared. We went through the museum, then settled at the restaurant bar.

I ordered a spicy brisket taco, while my wife chose macaroni and cheese. We also shared the cauliflower wings with sweet buffalo sauce, which earned their reputation and became our most dependable food choice of the weekend.

Once the room was ready, we checked in and then drove to Scioto Downs. We stayed outside in the chilly evening air for five harness races. None of my long-shot bets paid off, but following the horses still made it a fun change from the brewery stops.

Back in the room, we finished the night with rich stouts and the hotel's evening cookie treat.

Sunday: Wine, golf, and another night at BrewDog

Sunday started at a newly reopened winery. We took our time over spinach dip and pita, a wine slushie, and a sampler before heading to the golf course.

I played Westchester Golf Course in Canal Winchester and filmed three videos during the round. Golf gave the weekend a needed outdoor break from tasting rooms and restaurant bars.

That evening, we returned to the DogHouse for another stout-and-cookie stop. I tried a fried-chicken taco, but it fell flat compared with the brisket taco. The cauliflower wings were still the best food we ordered there.

Monday: The drive home

We headed home Monday after a weekend that worked because the hotel was part of the entertainment. The property was calm for a holiday weekend, yet there was enough beer, food, and exploring on site that we never felt stuck.