By 1808Delaware
National lists often spotlight big-city venues with deep marketing budgets. But this year, one of the country’s most celebrated beer destinations sits on a quiet stretch of farmland north of Delaware.
Henmick Farm & Brewery has been ranked No. 3 in the United States on the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice list for Best Beer Garden, marking another national honor for the Delaware County brewery that has quickly become one of central Ohio’s most distinctive gathering places.
The recognition follows an even bigger finish last year, when Henmick took the No. 1 spot nationally in 2025, cementing its reputation as a destination where craft beer and open countryside come together.
A Farm That Became a Gathering Place
Henmick sits on about eight acres of former family farmland along North Old State Road, just outside the city of Delaware. Instead of building a typical brewery, the owners leaned into the landscape. The result feels less like a bar and more like a rural community park.
Visitors find a large barn-style taproom, wide patios, open lawn space, and clusters of firepits scattered across the property. Lawn games and live music events are common, and rotating food trucks often park near the barn to round out the experience.
The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed. Families spread out across the grass, groups gather around firepits on cool evenings, and many visitors settle in for an entire afternoon rather than just a quick drink. That setting is exactly what caught the attention of the national judges and voters behind the USA TODAY awards. The 10Best write-up describes Henmick as a park-like beer garden, where the outdoor setting plays as much of a role as the beer itself.
From Local Spot to National Recognition
When Henmick opened, the idea of a farm brewery was still relatively new in central Ohio. But the concept proved to be a natural fit for Delaware County, where rapid suburban growth sits side-by-side with long-established farmland. Instead of feeling crowded or urban, Henmick offers something different: space.
On a summer evening, the lawn fills with people enjoying the sunset. On cooler nights, firepits glow across the property. Kids play games while adults sample craft beers brewed on site. It is a setting that feels almost like a community festival, only it happens nearly every weekend.
That combination of craft brewing and countryside atmosphere helped propel the brewery to the top of the USA TODAY list last year, and it continues to keep Henmick among the country’s most talked-about beer gardens.
Ohio’s Craft Beer Scene Shines Again
Henmick was not the only Ohio destination to receive national recognition this year. The Ohio Taproom in the Grandview area of Columbus finished No. 2 in the nation on the 2026 Best Beer Bar list, the same position it held in 2025.
The taproom has built a loyal following around a simple concept: every beverage served there is made in Ohio. The bar features craft beer, cider, and other drinks exclusively from producers across the state. In 2025, the space expanded with the addition of Spokes Café, giving visitors a place to eat and linger longer throughout the day.
Together, the two honors highlight the strength and diversity of Ohio’s craft beer scene. One venue celebrates the state’s brewers under a single roof in an urban neighborhood. The other draws visitors into the countryside for a laid-back farm experience.
A Destination Just Outside Delaware
For Delaware County residents, Henmick’s ranking carries a bit of local pride.
The brewery has become a regular stop for residents looking for a relaxed evening out without leaving the county. At the same time, it draws visitors from across central Ohio who come specifically for its rural setting.
National recognition only reinforces what many locals already know.
