Sustainability and Craft Beer Come Together at Full Circle Brewgarden

Dawn and Franz Kirchner, the owners of Full Circle Brewgarden in the north Dayton suburb of  Englewood, are giving new meaning to the often misleading term “beer garden.” Since opening in September 2023, they’ve spent the last several years establishing an actual garden behind their small brewery building. The four-season garden features over 350 plant species with paths and seating areas throughout. 

“Oftentimes, native plants are viewed as being weedy looking, but we want to make sure people know that’s not necessarily true,” says Dawn, who has a background in environmental science. “If you can incorporate a few native plants, it really does help add to the value of your garden.”

The Kirchners are committed to sustainability — the name Full Circle is itself a reference to reducing, reusing and recycling as a way of life — and extends to everything from composting brewing grains to the repurposed decor in their eclectic taproom.

Their building was constructed in the 1950s, and the main seating area still features the original pine walls. The Kirchners didn’t want the space to feel overly curated, and to that end, the wood tables and chairs are charmingly mismatched. Most of the furniture and decorations were gifted by friends and community members. 

“There’s often a little story behind the mirrors, the art, the little statues,” Dawn says. “It’s a great conversation starter, but one of our big focuses, of course, is sustainability. And that means instead of buying something new, we’re giving something a second life.”

The 14-tap beer list from head brewer Nate Pahl includes the expected IPAs, lagers, and stouts, but more unusual beers make appearances as well, such as a blueberry Belgian Dubbel, or a dark saison with orange peel and spices. Full Circle also makes its own kombuchas, shrubs and a tepache for those looking beyond beer. When possible, ingredients foraged from the garden are used in the kombucha and house-made syrups.

While the brewery doesn’t have a kitchen, it does offer packaged snacks, and food trucks set up on weekends. The taproom is family friendly, but there are no TVs, as conversation is encouraged.

324 Union Blvd., Englewood 45322, facebook.com/fullcirclebrewgarden

For more Ohio food and drink inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters.

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.