So in 2 weeks im making the drive from NY.. going to be spending 5 days and going to the indians game memorial day.. Just trying to get a feel of what i should keep an eye out for in the area that i cant really get here. The only 2 that i have in my head right now are elevator brewing ghost scorpion and any shorts brewing ( pref PB & J Stout).. Thanks in advance!!
First, love the username. H2O is one of the best I've seen live. Secondly, check out MELT Bar and Grill. Their food is different variations on grilled cheese, but they're all fantastic, and they have 30+ beers on tap. Also, if you're passing through Youngstown/Warren on your way, hit me up via BM and we can maybe meet up for a beer. Cheers!
There's Great Lakes and Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City which is across the bridge from Progressive Field. Also hit up Fat Head's in N. Olmsted and The Brew Kettle in Strongsville. Any idea where you'll be staying? And what styles do you like? There's alot of great beer stores around town. Ohio doesn't get Shorts..
haha melt is #1 on our list.. were staying literally across from the RnR hall of fame, so everything is within walking distance. Ill have to check it out.. were going Rt 80 all the way (i think).. I must of seen h2o prob about 40+ times already!!! I saw great lakes and there beers sounded amazing.. Im a huge fan of stouts, and the other people im with love Ipa's.. but since im driving.. anywhere there's a good stout im there!!
The Brew Kettle in Strongsville is definitely worth checking out as well, if you have the time. White Rajah is the truth. Also, 40+ times?!?!? You've got me beat by at least 38
Not being from Cleveland, my opinion won't matter nearly as much as others, but I agree with those that have suggested the Brew Kettle, Fat Head's, and Melt. Also, down in the city (and I don't know how close it really is), it probably wouldn't hurt to check out City Tap. (And Winking Lizard is right next door. Doesn't hurt to run in and check.) If you head to Lakewood, there's Rozi's, Buckeye Beer Engine, and definitely worth a stop even though you wouldn't know it from the outside is Ross Deli (for either taking home or a growler or 1/2 growler to enjoy back in your room). If you're looking to take stuff home, you probably want to try Lizardville. (And there's a Winking Lizard right next door, if you're heading to Miles Rd, but that's not overly close.) Also, on 80, you could take a short detour south and head out to Vintage Estates in Boardman. (Though, with 5 days, it's not like you'll run out of places in and near Cleveland.) Have a safe trip and good luck finding some good beer.
You guys have pretty much named all the hot spots. My list for bars/food is: Greenhouse Tavern, Tremont Taphouse, Beer Engine, Melt, Deagans Bottleshops: Simone's and Rozi's
I live in Columbus but am up in NE Ohio at least once a month and I highly doubt that Elevator is sold anywhere in Cleveland. Maybe someone can meet you who has one though... Also, mentioned - but no Shorts. OH isn't likely to get much in distro that NY doesn't. We just recently started getting Ballast Point so you may find some of their stuff in sixers around. Great Lakes is a must. And melt is fun. I would say that Fat Heads is likely the best overall option though as they have the biggest selection of their own stuff of any local brewpub I know of, and also have guest taps. You may luck out and find head Hunter in bottles. The food menu is gigantic and fun - similar to the craziness of melt. Tremont tap house has a very nice selection of draft beer and is quite close to Great Lakes if you want to make a dual stop one day. Also, if you're seeing an Indians game check to see if Great Lakes is offering their shuttle service (free on their wagon powered by grease from the kitchens). They do it for Browns games, can't be sure if they do it this time of year as well. Just be aware they're closed Sundays - this fact has burned me numerous times where I have forgotten it. My other big recommendation is to go to Buckeye Beer Engine. They do have a few of their own brews (usually very good), plus a great draft selection, and an amazing bottle list - and awesomely crazy burger concoctions to boot. Edit: almost forgot - Columbus Brewing recently started getting distributed up there. Some of the better places ought to have their stuff on draft, all solid, esp the IPA and Bodhi DIPA. I do not think they have sent bottles up yet, but look out for IPA and Summer Teeth just in case.
We got 6pks of Columbus IPA and Summer Teeth in the past few weeks, but I'm not sure how consistently we'll be getting them since they just started distributing to us. Lots of Bodhi and Creeper on-tap..
Good to hear. They're overdue for their new fermentation equipment to arrive, so a small expansion is in the near future which should only help sustain/add to the beer you guys see up there.
Thanks so much everyone.. alot of those places i have on my list and was iffy about, and im looking to bring back a bunch of cases!!.. if anyone here wants anything from this neck of the woods, maybe one night we can meet up swap beers and have a few.. shoot me a BM and let me know!!
