Columbus' newest brewery has a futuristic way of crafting its beer menu — and even has its sights set on outer space.

Why it matters: Species X Brewery is the latest local business to experiment with artificial intelligence, developing drink recipes that founder Beau Warren admits he could have never come up with.

State of play: The brewery touts itself as "part taproom, part research hub" that is "exploring uncharted territory to craft visionary beers."

• The menu features two beer series, Carbon and Silicon, representing the duality of humans and computers.
• Warren created all the Carbon beers while making the Silicon series "to spec" from the work of AI models.

Yes, but: AI still requires a human touch and "tight guardrails" to keep the drinks palatable, Warren notes.

• Though AI tries to predict what humans will like, Warren holds veto power if it generates anything too unusual or beyond the brewery's physical limits.

Zoom in: Model "Chr15 P" is designed to focus only on lagers, while "Darw1n" mixes algorithms to make fruited sours.

• Then there's "Behemoth," which operates without these guardrails and is not limited to any specific type of beer.
• Behemoth's latest work: A Baltic porter with 10% ABV and hints of lactose, marshmallows, vanilla, chocolate, coffee and three types of fruit.

What they're saying: "I would never even have thought of making a beer like that. It's absurd," Warren said during a recent launch party tour.

• "But when I sat down and looked at the numbers ... it just all made sense. I was like, 'You know what? This is crazy, but let's do it.'"

What's next: Warren is not content with beer experimentation in Columbus, or even on planet Earth.

• He created the Lunar Base blonde ale with genetically engineered yeast that he hopes to eventually brew in outer space.

Tyler's take: I liked the Lunar Base but hope I don't have to someday leave the atmosphere to get it.

Want to go? 408 N. 6th St. Open Wednesday-Sunday, hours vary.

Plans for a new terminal at John Glenn International Airport are progressing, with a new website to track updates and check out renderings.

Why it matters: Our region's soaring air travel demand is driving the $2 billion project to replace the current terminal, which opened in 1958.

What to expect: The modernized terminal will feature one large, streamlined concourse instead of three separate ones. It'll add seven gates, for 36 in all, with room for expansion.

• New food and beverage options are planned, along with a 5,000-car parking garage.

Between the lines: Local labor unions are pushing for a community benefit agreement to ensure area workers are hired at fair wages for the project.

What's next: Construction is expected to start later this year atop two parking lots. The parking garage is planned for the current McDonald's site.

• The expansion's targeted opening is 2029 — the airport's 100th anniversary.

📱 Ohio's new law limiting children's access to social media will be on hold indefinitely as its constitutionality is decided in court, a federal judge ruled yesterday. (WCMH-TV)

An Iraqi man living in Columbus was sentenced to nearly 15 years in prison for plotting to assassinate former President George W. Bush. (Dispatch)

🚌 The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will search for a new leader to replace former CEO/president Joanna Pinkerton, who resigned yesterday. (WSYX-TV)

🚶 Bexley, Columbus and Gahanna will receive a combined nearly $1.5 million from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for walking trail improvements. (ODNR)

🏗️ Quote du jour

" … my skyline has completely changed. I'm still like, my eyes are still adjusting."

Worthy of your time: "A tale of two Franklintons: Development and affordability spar in central Ohio's oldest community"

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Senior Commercial Strategy & Operations Manager at Willowtree.
2. Leasing & Marketing Manager at Article Student Living.
3. Global Practice Leader at ADP.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Just because you forgot to make a dinner reservation doesn't mean Valentine's Day must be a disappointment.

Be smart: Skip the crowded restaurants and impress your date with one of these ideas tomorrow evening — and make it look like you planned it.

Of note: Prices are per person.

Hearts and crafts:

🎨 Paint a pine tree on side-by-side canvases at Brush Crazy.

• 5:30-8pm. 1299 Bethel Road. $35.
• Bonus: BYOB!

💘 Create heart-themed art with Craft Your Night at BrewDog's Short North location.

• 6:30-8:30pm, 1175 N. High St. $40.

Outside-the-box entertainment:

🎵 Take a sound bath at The Sanctuary. Includes desserts, mocktails, tarot readings and typewriter love poems.

• 6-9pm. 618 Neil Ave. $55.

📽️ Test your pop culture prowess during Ten Pin Alley's romantic comedy trivia night.

• 6:30-8pm. 5499 Ten Pin Alley, Hilliard. Free!

Drinks and desserts:

🍺 Enjoy four unlikely pairings of cookies and beer on a self-guided tasting tour at Taft's Brewporium.

• Reservations available 5-8pm. 440 W. Broad St. $20.

🍷 Raise a glass to love during a sommelier-guided wine tasting at Bristol Republic.

• 6-9pm. 1124 N. High St. $50, includes 10 samples.

Three more ideas

The OSU women's basketball team is on fire.

State of play: The Buckeyes (21-3) are on an 11-game winning streak since Jan. 5 and have sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.

• The team is ranked No. 2, per the latest AP poll.

What's next: OSU hosts Nebraska at 7pm tomorrow and has four more conference games after that to close out the regular season.

• Tickets are $15.

What we're watching: The finale against Iowa on March 3 could be a doozy.

• Iowa sits a game behind OSU in the conference standings and wants revenge for last month's defeat.