Cleveland

Hoppin frog is in Akron, only open on weekdays, but would be my choice. Great lakes and fatheads is up there too, I believe.

 

Breweries: Fat Head's, Brew Kettle, Great Lakes (debatable, but I like it)
Beers: Head Hunter, White Rajah, Columbus IPA
Beer Bars: MELT Bar and Grilled, Winking Lizard

I'll let somebody else comment on bottle shops, as I'm not too familiar with any in Cleveland.

 

This is what I would say for the most part. I would add Beer Engine and, if you head out east, Willoughby Brewing. I wouldn't recommend Hoppin Frog; All(or most anyway) their beers are in local stores and they have no tasting room. Thirsty Dog is a nice place if you do head down to Akron.

I find the Heinen's in Middleburg Heights and Strongsville have most of the better offerings. Simone's in Lakewood is good, too. Definitely hit one of the Lizardville locations for bottles and draft.

 

I will also throw out a brewery that is under the radar and a bit out of the way(~45 min); Wooster Brewing is one of the better new breweries I've been to in a while, in or out of Ohio.

 

Best bottle shops on the near west side are Rozi's and Lizardville. In that order.

 

Second miketd's suggestion of Heinen's in Strongsville. Found Speedway Stout there the past several times I've gone. Always a few interesting gems to be had there, it seems. Happy hunting!

 

Not from Cleveland so I'm really not down with the scene, but I've visited a few times and the Tremont Tap House is always my first stop. And second stop, and probably third. Great food, great beer. And how can you not go to Great Lakes?

 

Damn, that's a good call... can't believe I forgot to mention this place. maybe the best beer bar in Cleveland right now and really good food.

 

Very, very rarely do they having something other than their regular bottled beers at the brewery. They used to do a couple brewery only bottle releases throughout the year but they haven't done one in a long while. They may have a good pub exclusive that you could get a growler of though. They will fill any breweries growler as well.

 

Are you on vacation? A trip? How much time do you have?

I can't speak to what you have at home, but I can share a few personal experiences. Hoppin Frog does indeed not have a tasting room, but every time I've been there, they have something wonderful. Plus, if you buy a case, you get a 10% discount. I don't know about in 2 weeks, but they might have some good beers available. I always also punch into my phone a few places I have to stop before my trip home. (Never did Thirsty Dog... but one of these times...) I always hit up the Portage Lakes Brewing Company. It's only a few minutes from the Frog and, despite it being a small store, I always find something to make a drop in worthwhile. Then I GPS my way to the West Point Market. I've never done a mix sixer there, though I can see it happening soon, but they usually have a nice little selection of bombers to choose from. Again, neither place is jaw-dropping, but while I'm there.


Also, a trip to Lakewood seems like a must. Just in a mile or two radius, you can hit so many good places: Rozi's (bottle shop/taps), Beer Engine (bar), Ross Deli (bottle shop/taps), MELT (bar/great food), Winking Lizard (bar/food) and the best part is, most of it is just driving down Detroit. Suggestion would be to stop in MELT, put in a reservation, and then explore the rest of the road or, depending on the time given, as much as you can get to before you have to be back.

I think Fat Head's and Brew Kettle are also musts. And Great Lakes/Market Garden section of Ohio City wouldn't hurt either.

 

They do if you want to bring home a growler, but no bottles right now.

Edit - I see cg had it covered above. I need to read first; post later.

Edit edit - RE NABS post. Beer Engine is indeed a bar, but they carry Buckeye brewing beer's that are brewed right down the street.

 

Check out GLBC's website if you want to take a free tour.

 

Market garden Brewery great beers it's in the heart of Cleveland on west 25th, around the corner from great lakes brewery.