Welcome to World of Beer!

World of Beer has a simple philosophy: to create a comfortable and upbeat setting where patrons feel at home, and to offer an extensive beer selection that will please a wide spectrum of beer drinkers, from the connoisseur to the occasional consumer.

The first World of Beer opened up in Tampa, Florida in 2007. Since gaining popularity, another 38 have opened in various locations across the U.S. in the past six years, with the Lakewood, Ohio establishment being the most recent.

The product of Columbus-based franchisees Darren Greene and Mark Pottshmidt, the Lakewood World of Beer marks their third franchise in the state.

Service and Atmosphere

Walking in, there’s no doubt that this space has been beautifully renovated. Complete with a long, sprawling bar lined with 50 taps and cooler upon cooler stocked with ice cold brews, it’s obvious that this isn’t your average beer joint. There’s ample bar seating, and plenty of tables to go around. The exposed brick is lined with light-up beer logos, a chalkboard at the entrance is filled with the current draft list, and a stage near the front will soon be packing in live entertainment every weekend.

The service was great, especially for being their opening night. It seems that the required Beer School has done the servers well, as ours was knowledgeable and quite eager to offer her personal recommendations, as well as suggestions based on our particular tastes. She was attentive, and willing to give us a little necessary hand-holding to guide us through our first World of Beer experience.

Specials and Events

World of Beer boasts a loyalty card program which offers members 25% off of all bottled beers every Tuesday, various prizes for achieving different levels of beer drinking, and a t-shirt.

I decided to sign up for the membership, secretly hoping to someday be awarded the best prize: my name on the website for consuming an ungodly amount of beer. The cost of the membership was $15 so I figured it was worth a try.

Other specials at World of Beer include Service Industry night on Mondays where anyone in the service industry receives 1/2 off all drafts from 9:00 p.m. to close. Tuesday is Loyalty night where Loyalty Card holders receive 25% off beers. Wednesday is WOBU night, awarding students and faculty 1/2 off select drafts from 9:00 p.m. to close. Thursday is ladies night, and the weekends offer a variety of live entertainment.

The Beer

If 50 beers on draft and 500 bottles to choose from doesn’t impress you, I’m not sure what would.

When you take a seat at World of Beer, you’re first presented with some reading material: a draft list and a beer menu that resembles a book. This “menu” gives you a little beer education: beer basics, styles, a bottle menu, mixed drafts, and featured breweries.

If this isn’t enough to help you make your decision, there’s also an Android and iPhone app that’s useful in choosing the best brew for your taste buds. Just choose your location, and then browse beers by ABV, color, country, or style.

The Food

World of Beer doesn’t serve food, but you’re welcome to order dinner or a snack from one of their four partners: Jimmy Johns, Dave’s Cosmic Subs, Donatos, or neighboring Eddie ‘n Eddie. World of Beer will provide you will full menus for these locations, and, after placing your order, the delivery person will drop the food off right to your table.

If you’re not a fan of any of these restaurants, you’re welcome to bring anything you’d like to eat into the bar with you.

Overall

If you’re looking for a place to grab a brew and relax, then this is the place for you. Whether you’re a beer snob or just a casual beer drinker, you’ll be pleased with the selection, you’ll be happy with the knowledgeable staff, and you certainly won’t leave thirsty.