New to Ohio (2017)

You bring the popcorn, Hoppin Frog has the butter.

 

Platform released 'Mosaic Mist' (Small batch IPA series) this week. Pretty solid hazy IPA. They also released 9021 Gose. Have'nt had that yet, as I'm not a huge fan of the style. 'Pacific Dew' is next in Small batch IPA series.

 

Masthead has a 5k/Beer Fest/Bourbon Barrel Stout & Rye Whiskey Stout Release tomorrow. Who's going to be there? I opted out of the run.

https://events.com/r/en_US/registra...use-series-release-party-cleveland-july-32259

 

Just got in from the BottleHouse's Keepers of the Craft Beer Fest. Got there just before 4 and there were a gazillion people there and I almost turned around. Glad I stayed because I got the third from last sample flight sized glass for which you got a card to keep track of what you had. My favorite brew was The Cleveland Brewery's white stout; it wasn't really white but more like an Oktoberfest color, but very tasty. The Working Class coffee porter was nice. At the next tier were HiHo's ginger beet saison and Noble Beast's peppercorn saison; both were enjoyable but nothing more.

Everything else were IPAs which aren't my faves but based on attendance it was a smashing success. The crowds thinned out after a while and once I figured out how to navigate things, it went well.

 

Ok Ohio City mavens: next Saturday another member of my book group and I will be going on a lunch safari to either Forest City, Hansa or Platform. Which single stop do you recommend and specific food and brew recs would be greatly appreciated (steer clear of IPAs please).

Thanks for any insight (Brick and Barrel doesn't serve food, plus I've been there already and love it).

 

Haven't been to Hansa or Forest City... so I recommend Platform. Haha

Saucy Brew Works just opened on Detroit, close to 25th; maywant to give them a shot.

 

Platform doesn't serve food either. As for their beers, throw a dart at the board and you'll either hit something really good or pretty bad. Have only had one Hansa beer at a fest. Was decent. Allegedly Forest City has gotten better lately, but as of 6-8 months ago their beer was undrinkable, so personally can't recommend them.

Go to Saucy if you have to stay in near West side (delicious food, some stellar and some good beers but service has been an issue so far), or head across the river and go to Noble Beast (if they're open for lunch) or Masthead.

 

@CaptainHate

Can't say I recommend Forest City... https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/when-breweries-cross-the-line-wow.486432/

Worst beer I had at the time... Then that happened...!

I like Hansa, personally. Have not eaten there aside from a pretzel, but it looks good. The beer is quite good for the German style (I prefer Hofbrau if you go on beer alone, of course... But it's a nice second option). If you are avoiding IPA's, this may be the winner out of the three. I absolutely love the Winzig (smoked, sour beer). My go-to when there... Never had anything like it anywhere else and it's absolutely fantastic. Again, if you like sour and smoke Nice space as well, open and airy.

Platform doesn't have food (only food trucks and sometimes vendors on certain days). Not sure of the schedules, though. As mentioned above, their beer can be hit or miss... I like their stuff in general though. So it likely would be BYOF.

 

Nobody ever mentions brick and barrel in downtown cleveland, I was thinking about stopping there Friday to check it out unless I hear its a complete waste. Anyone have any comments?

 

Beers range from average to very good - I like the wee heavy a whole lot. Pizza place next door has bomb Calzones - pretty sure you could bring food in. Very grungy building, but I think it adds charm. I'm a big fan.

 

I really liked the Noble Blonde at Brick and Barrel.

And thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on the near west side breweries; that's exactly what I was looking for.

 

On Saturday Great Lakes will sell 22 ounce bottles of Barrel Aged Trippel Dog Dare 9.5% @ $17.95.

 

It's hard for me to say anything positive about this news, but I blame that on your username. Definitely not because a brewery that has had less and less positive results in barrel aging beer recently and is now charging $18 for a bomber of barrel aged beer.

I have always liked Tripel Dog Dare so I might try to get this on tap at the brewpub if it's available.

 

I assumed it was a joke

 

I like this beer *shrugs*

 

I posted that strictly for information purposes. Yes it's pricey but I thought their BA Rackhouse Old Ale tapped at Heinens recently was really good and only didn't get a growler @ $15 because I didn't have anyone available to share it with quickly.

 

The growler was $15? Wasn't it $20ish for a bomber?

 

Maybe that was the price for a Howler. Or maybe a Crowler, or even a Prowler or a Trowler. Cuz I don't think they fill Drowlers there.

 

Their BA quad at the BA Blackout party was phenomenal FWIW

 

Dunno, i remember thinking at the time that the growler price was exceptional