I'm traveling to Cleveland end of April, looking for recommendations on breweries/beer to try while out there. Don't know anything about the area, and even if there are places to try and get to. Any suggestions appreciated.
1. Platform Beer Co. ....the Speed Merchant White IPA is unbeatable on draft 2. Great Lakes Brewing (maybe 5 blocks down the road from Platform) if you're willing to travel 15-20 minutes, Fat Head's and Brew Kettle are a must. Portside, which also distills (if you're into that stuff, too) Bottlehouse in Cleveland Heights is a nice little brewery. There are several micro breweries on W. 25th street (Bier Market, Market Garden, Nano Brew) literally on the same block as Great Lakes and there's the Butcher and Brewer on E 4th street, although I haven't been there before and can't exactly comment on the brews. Platform is a must, though. Also, this thread may be moved to the Great Lakes forum.
Great Lakes Brewing Fat Head's There's also Jackie O' and Madtree Brewing. Love these breweries. I wish they distributed to Cali.
Fat Heads, everything is great and go to Brew Kettle and get your hands on some White Rajah and some Black Rajah, both are tremendous beers. Enjoy.
Theses breweries are nowhere near Cleveland, but their beers are worth trying if you see them around(Jackie O's stouts and barrel-aged beers are top notch)
Yeah. I know. I threw those in there only because I was able to get a few brews from these breweries. If the OP is willing to travel, then these are a must. Thanks for pointing that out though. I need to come and visit Ohio one of these days.
There have been several threads recently on this topic. If you do a search, you'll get more information than you can use. With that said, anyone responding needs to know A) where you are staying; 2) if you have transportation; C) how long you will be there; IV) how much free time you have to travel.
No. Just no. Horrible beer, not worth a stop at all. Eh, would have agreed with you before they opened the production brewery. Now their stuff has QC issues...oxidized, flavorless beer being put out, hopefully they get it together. In the meantime, they're off the "must" list - and Fat Heads and Brew Kettle were always higher on it anyways. If OP goes to one brewery, make it Fat Heads. As for downtown, Tremont Tap House and Town Hall are two great options for beer bars.
The one you must go to, no exceptions, is Fat Head's (ideally the Taphouse location on Sheldon Road for a better experience... If you rather have more food options in a restaurant vs. brewery type atmosphere do the restaurant one, but the taphouse has food as well). But honestly, the taphouse is probably the best place to go in Cleveland for the whole “package”… Atmosphere, insane quality of beers and great food. Platform is a cool space and they offer some good beer. Cool space and parking is usually not much of an issue. This would be my second choice. Brew Kettle while they have some great beer and awesome food, the “brewery” itself sucks for atmosphere. Think sports bar. They do have a new location in the works, thankfully. Great Lakes is supposed to be cool (never been myself as I am not a huge fan of their stuff), and is iconic to Cleveland.
As a lifelong Clevelander, I'm telling you as a craft beer lover that Great Lakes is certainly a mandatory stop for you. And before or after you go there be sure you head over to Platform Brewing Company, as it is only a stone's throw from Great Lakes and has excellent beers too. Depending on what area of town you are staying, weather or not you have a car, or how far you want to go/how much you are willing to pay for Uber and or cabs to take you around, Butcher And The Brewer and Portside Distillery are both pretty good. Both of those are downtown. Portside is a bit more off the beaten path/off the main really busy area in the heart of downtown, so if you are driving, you'll likely have a much easier time finding street parking, which is free after 6:00 P.M. on weekdays and free all day on weekends and holiday in the city, in the area around Portside than you likely will in the area around Butcher And The Brewer. I'd say the beers for both are equally good overall, and the quality of their beers are both solidly good overall, but they likely won't knock your socks off. If you are going to be in the Lakewood area just west of Cleveland, Bottlehouse just opened their second location there a week ago and they have pretty good beers. They are also the only local brewery that also makes and serves their own meads in addition to beers. There's also the Buckeye Beer Engine in Lakewood, another local brewery that has pretty decent beer of their own and a lot of good guest taps. South west of Cleveland proper pretty close to the airport you can find Fat Heads, Brew Kettle and Cornerstone Brewing Company. Out of these 3 I feel that Fat Heads is the best beer and food wise. If you are going to be east of the downtown area in Cleveland Heights, the original Bottle House location can be found there. Just so you know, all the breweries I just listed above have bars and table to sit at and all have at least a few food options. None of them are just production facilities. Most of them do tours, etc. if you are into that sort of thing. Hope all this info helps. Enjoy your stay here. Eric
