Just a little over five years ago, references to “craft beer” might have needed some explanation. Today, the craft beer business is booming in Columbus and throughout the United States and the industry needs very little clarification. In a 2013 study by the Brewer’s Association, a not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers, Ohio’s craft beer industry was named the fourth largest producer in the country, crafting more than one million barrels. Locally, there are more than a dozen breweries inside the I-270 beltway and even more on the way. Looking out farther into the Zanesville, Lancaster, Newark, Delaware and Mansfield areas, the number of operational breweries in central Ohio totals closer to 25. Driving Columbus’ ascension in the exploding craft brew industry is brewmaster, Eric Bean.