Kroger adding craft-beer taps to 5 Ohio stores

Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield and all three Dorothy Lane Market stores are among the retailers that have added craft beer taps. The Whole Foods Market that opened in June in Washington Twp. features a pub and growler-refill craft beer station.

The new Kroger craft-beer taps will accommodate “growler” refills, and plans call for the taps to be in place by the end of August, according to Patty Leesemann, public affairs manager for Kroger’s Cincinnati/Dayton Division. The number of taps will vary by store, but most will have 10 to 12, which will be stocked with local, regional and national brews, Leesemann said.

The five initial Kroger stores to offer craft beer on tap in southwest Ohio will be the Austin Landing location off Ohio 741 in Miami Twp.; the Kettering “Fresh Fare” store at East Stroop and Shroyer roads; the Centerville Marketplace store on Ohio 48; and stores in Harper’s Point and Anderson Towne Center in the Cincinnati area, Leesemann said. The Austin Landing store also has added beer tastings from 4 to 6 p.m. every day, the Kroger spokeswoman said.

Kroger also is offering wine enthusiasts something to toast. The Cincinnati-based grocery chain has expanded its wine-tasting program at three Dayton-area locations so that customers of those stores can sample wines every day from 6 to 8 p.m. The stores with the expanded wine-tasting hours include Austin Landing, Kettering Fresh Fare and Centerville, Leesemann said. At selected other Kroger stores, including the Hamilton-Middletown and Liberty Twp. locations, wine tastings are typically offered on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. or 5 to 8 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.

Grocery stores are battling for market share throughout the region, especially in southern Montgomery County and northern Warren County — home to multiple Kroger and Meijer stores, all three Dorothy Lane Market stores, Sam’s Club, Earth Fare, Trader Joe’s, Costco Wholesale and a relatively new entrant, Fresh Thyme Markets, all were joined by Whole Foods Market.