Swanton’s Oncore Brewery Wins Gold Medal
Several weeks ago, Keith Baker, owner and Master Brewer of Oncore Brewing in Swanton, traveled to the Cleveland area to participate in an “invitation only” major IPA (India Pale Ale) competition with a relatively new recipe he had developed in the Hazy IPA category. The competition was held at Fat Head’s Brewery in Middleburg Heights and included craft brewers from all around the State of Ohio, including Masthead Brewing Company of Cleveland, one of the top craft beer producers in the country.
There are nine recognized major categories of IPA and dozens of sub-categories when it comes to judging. Each entry is judged not just on taste but on color, clarity, carbonation level, the mouth feel, the finish. “You could have a beer that tastes absolutely fantastic but did not meet the criteria to be called a beer,” said Keith. On that day, in that competition, with judges from as far away as Texas and Washington, his Hazy IPA did not just meet the criteria, it surpassed everyone else’s entry to capture the Gold Medal.
“I never thought I would be in consideration for a medal. But the Hazy IPA category is where I won. That is a very popular style. There are so many of them out there and there were so many good ones that were there. I was shocked,” he added.
And there was more to come. After the judging was completed and all the medals awarded, each Gold Medal winner moved on to the Best-In-Show competition. The Hazy IPA from Oncore Brewing in Swanton finished in Third Place, earning Keith a nice big red boxing glove to display.
For the record, the name of the Gold Medal winner is FreeQNC, pronounced “frequency”, from a license plate Keith saw rolling down the highway one day, and it carries a 6.7% alcohol content.
Mr. Baker has entered several other competitions since he set up shop in Swanton. Twice he entered the Ohio Brewers Cup in Dayton and won a Bronze Medal for a hazy IPA in 2024 and followed that up by winning another Bronze Medal in 2025 for a beer named, ironically enough, Swantucky Slammer, an American Light Lager.
Keith began home brewing beer in late 2007 and expanded into his parent’s barn in 2009. He opened Oncore Brewing in Swanton on August 6, 2022 in the strip mall on the South side of Airport Highway which also includes Subway and Ko’s Garden. In these four short years the business, which has a tap room inside the brewery, has grown with many more customers stopping in, the list of beers continuing to increase, brews available in cans for takeout, and outside sales servicing several area restaurants.
Locally, you can enjoy Oncore offerings at Mancy’s Steakhouse in Toledo as well as the Mail Pouch Saloon and Swanton Sports Center among others. Another interesting local connection is found in one of Oncore’s most popular beers, Coffee Stills and Mash. The recipe for this beverage contains a unique whole bean coffee, produced by none other than Doodle Bean Coffee of Swanton, Ohio. “I have to give a shout out to Doodle Bean Coffee. I think their coffee is the separator. Every batch of Coffee Stills and Mash has Doodle Bean Coffee in it,” explained Keith.
And Keith is always looking to create something new and exciting. “We respond to our customers and give them what they are asking for. For every single person that walks through that door we want them to have a great experience. We pride ourselves for having a location where you have a great product, a great atmosphere and great service,” said Keith. “Sometimes money can get a little tight. If somebody decides they want to spend a little of that hard-earned money here, we don’t take any of that for granted.”
Obviously, Keith has a passion for brewing beer and you can taste it in all of his products. He spends countless hours honing his craft and running his business with his wife Sheena. Stop into Oncore Brewing at 14249 Airport Highway, open from Wednesday to Sunday. I am sure you will find one, if not several of his creations you will truly enjoy. Currently, they are not serving food, but on most evenings, they have one of a variety of food trucks parked right outside their front door.
