Restaurant
Unclaimed profileWheat Penny Oven and Bar
Dayton, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Wheat Penny Oven and Bar fields a cocktail list that leans on housemade cordials, beer jam, and smoked whiskey, with a dedicated low-proof spritz section. The wine list spans California, Oregon, Italy, France, and Germany, while the rotating draft pours favor Ohio breweries. A separate nonalcoholic program uses Ritual alternatives and housemade lychee champagne. Prices stay moderate across all categories.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Wheat Penny Manhattan, which swaps sweet vermouth for housemade beer jam and adds orange cream citrate. For something smoky, the Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em blends Buffalo Trace and Glenmorangie with hickory smoke. If you're skipping alcohol, the N/A Sesame Pandan Sour layers Ritual rum with sesame pandan syrup and egg white.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who appreciate creative cocktails with housemade touches will find plenty to explore. The spritz selection suits those who prefer lower alcohol, and the thoughtful nonalcoholic menu means designated drivers and non-drinkers aren't stuck with soda. Rotating Ohio drafts will please local beer fans.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $12 to $14, with spritzes at $12. Wine by the glass starts at $9 and goes to $15; bottles range from $36 to $60. Nonalcoholic drinks span $5 to $12, with most creative options in the $10-$12 range.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The cocktail program's use of housemade beer jam and grapefruit cordial, plus a full low-proof spritz menu, sets it apart. The nonalcoholic section is equally serious, featuring Ritual alternatives and housemade lychee champagne, while the beer list rotates through local Ohio collaborations like Land Grant Splendid with Jeni's Ice Cream.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail list balances classics and originals, with names like Basil Smash and Wheat Penny Manhattan. A separate bubbly and low-proof section offers four spritzes. Housemade ingredients—beer jam, grapefruit cordial, limoncello—drive the program.
Menu strengths
- — A dedicated low-proof section includes four spritzes, from House to Limoncello.
- — Pricing stays accessible at $12 to $14 per cocktail.
Standout selections
- — Wheat Penny Manhattan — Redemption Rye, housemade beer jam, Angostura bitters, orange cream citrate ($12).
- — Basil Smash — Tito's Vodka, St. Germain, basil, lemon, housemade grapefruit cordial ($12).
- — Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em — Buffalo Trace, Glenmorangie, demerara, hickory smoke ($13).
Pricing: $12-$14
Wine
The wine list reaches across California, Oregon, Italy, France, and Germany, offering red, white, sparkling, and rosé.
Menu strengths
- — International breadth spans Napa, Paso Robles, Oregon, Piedmont, Rioja, and France.
- — All wines are offered by both glass and bottle, with glass prices from $9 to $15.
- — Sparkling options include prosecco and a chilled Lambrusco red.
Standout selections
- — Routestock Cabernet Sauvignon — Napa Valley, full-bodied with notes of leather, cocoa, and black fruit ($14 glass/$56 bottle).
- — Violet Hill Pinot Noir — Oregon, silky with cherry compote and tea spice ($13 glass/$52 bottle).
- — Terra Viznia Prosecco — dry with green apple and toasted bread notes ($10 glass/$40 bottle).
Pricing: Glasses $9-$15, bottles $36-$60
Beer
The rotating draft list showcases Ohio breweries and a range of styles, from a grapefruit radler to an oatmeal stout. A notable collaboration with Jeni's Ice Cream adds local flavor.
Menu strengths
- — Rotating draft list features local Ohio breweries like Warped Wing and Land Grant.
- — Style range covers pilsner, IPA, fruit ale, cider, sour, and stout.
- — Includes unique collaborations such as Land Grant Splendid with Jeni's Ice Cream.
Standout selections
- — Land Grant Splendid — Jeni's Ice Cream collab, strawberry rhubarb fruit ale (5.2%).
- — Urban Artifact Genni — vanilla watermelon sour (6.7%).
- — Warped Wing 10 To — oatmeal stout (5.2%).
Nonalcoholic
The nonalcoholic program is as creative as the main cocktail list, with Ritual N/A tequila and rum alternatives, housemade lychee champagne, and playful mocktails like Ube Punch and Roy Rogers Cream Soda.
Menu strengths
- — Uses Ritual N/A tequila and rum alternatives for grown-up zero-proof drinks.
- — Housemade lychee champagne and gin anchor the mocktail section.
- — Range from $5 Roy Rogers Cream Soda to $12 N/A Miso Ginger.
Standout selections
- — N/A Sesame Pandan Sour — Ritual N/A rum, sesame pandan syrup, lemon, egg white ($12).
- — N/A Miso Ginger — Ritual N/A tequila, miso ginger syrup, yuzu ($12).
- — "French 75" — housemade gin, lemon, housemade lychee champagne ($10).
Pricing: $5-$12
Spirits
Cocktails feature recognizable spirits like Buffalo Trace and Glenmorangie.; Rye and vodka appear in signature drinks such as the Wheat Penny Manhattan and Basil Smash.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktails feature recognizable spirits like Buffalo Trace and Glenmorangie.
- — Rye and vodka appear in signature drinks such as the Wheat Penny Manhattan and Basil Smash.
Standout selections
- — Spirits are used in cocktails, such as Tito's Vodka, Redemption Rye, Buffalo Trace, and Glenmorangie.
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