Where is Little Kings beer from?

Answered by Charles Pate

Little Kings is a beloved brew that originated from the Schoenling Brewery in the vibrant city of Cincinnati, Ohio. This iconic beer has a rich history that is deeply intertwined with the local culture and beer scene of the region. Legend has it that the creation of Little Kings was a fortunate accident that occurred at Cincinnati's renowned Montgomery Inn.

The story goes that one fateful day, the draught beer cooler at Montgomery Inn unexpectedly malfunctioned, leaving the establishment unable to serve their usual selection of fresh, cold beers to their patrons. In a stroke of ingenuity and resourcefulness, the owners of Montgomery Inn turned to the Schoenling Brewery for a solution.

In response to the urgent request, the brewers at Schoenling Brewery came up with a brilliant idea – they decided to bottle their sweet cream in small, single-serving bottles. These bottles, which contained just 7 ounces of beer, became the now-iconic packaging for Little Kings beer.

The introduction of Little Kings beer was an instant hit among the locals, and it quickly became a beloved staple in Cincinnati's beer scene. The small size of the bottles made them perfect for sharing and enjoying at social gatherings, and the sweet cream ale inside delighted the taste buds of beer enthusiasts.

The success of Little Kings beer can be attributed not only to its unique packaging and delicious flavor but also to the strong tradition in Cincinnati. The city has a long history of brewing beer, dating back to the 1800s when German immigrants brought their brewing expertise to the area. Over the years, Cincinnati has earned a reputation as a hub for quality beer, with numerous breweries and brewpubs popping up throughout the city.

As a sommelier and brewer, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the vibrant beer culture in Cincinnati firsthand. I have visited local breweries, sampled their offerings, and engaged in conversations with passionate brewers and beer enthusiasts. Little Kings beer has always been a topic of discussion, and its origins at the Schoenling Brewery and the Montgomery Inn are often mentioned with a sense of pride and nostalgia.

Little Kings beer hails from the Schoenling Brewery in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its creation was a fortunate accident that occurred when the draught beer cooler at Montgomery Inn went on the fritz. This sweet cream ale, packaged in its iconic small bottle, quickly became a beloved beer in Cincinnati's beer scene, thanks to its delicious flavor and the city's strong brewing tradition.