Great Lakes Brewing Company

On Market Ave in Ohio City.

Great Lakes Brewing is grandfather of Cleveland's extensive local beer scene and an institution in Ohio City. Plenty of outdoor seating, because Cleveland loves out patios. We usually take people here for a taste of Cleveland: brats, local cheese, Lake Erie walleye and perch, pierogies, and plenty of Stadium Mustard. Locally-sourced foods, which means down the block from one of the largest urban farms in the country.

The bar at the head of the brewpub has been there nearly a century, and once was the favorite watering hole of Eliot Ness, Cleveland's Director of Security, where he undoubtedly raised a few to toast the 21st amendment.

Also unparalleled local beer. Beware of Bessie. Or embrace her, your choice. (The eyes are kind of hypnotic.)

Promised feature in the brewpub: “Truth, Justice, and the American Ale.” Celebrating the well known fact that Superman is, was, and always will be, a Clevelander.

If you're still in town on Friday, join us there before the Indian's game!

Cleveland is why we love beer.

Cleveland is a town that knows and loves eating and drinking. Combine central european roots with a growing local food and urban agriculture culture and a up and coming culinary scene, you get great beer. Here's some local breweries to look out for:

• Great Lakes Brewing Company | Yes, have some. GLBC is a destination for beer enthusiasts across the country. They've been celebrated not only for their multi-award winning brews, but also their groundbreaking green initiatives. Check out their brewpub exclusive brews that you can't find in stores. 
• BottleHouse | On the East side, this newest entry into Cleveland's beer scene gives away their spent hops to the growing population of chickens in Cleveland Heights. A great space, with knitting nights on Wednesdays, and a very good selection of bourbons. Also a gallery of pinball machines.
• Market Garden / Nano | Perhaps more a destination than a brewer, though Nano deserves another kudo for showcasing most of the other regional brewers in their extensive tap list.
• Fatheads | “Headhunter” is rightfully recognized as one of the country's best IPAs. 
• Buckeye | We like Buckeye. We like their Lakewood brewpub, the Buckeye Beer Engine. We like their “wildly improbably burger of the month.” Dig into the mac and cheese sticks and order from one of their two dozen tap offerings. 
• Indigo Imp | Small batch brewer prioritizing open fermentation “real ales” 
• Thirsty Dog | Akron based, canine themed.
• Willoughby Brewing | Where Jennifer learned to identify everything that can go wrong in the brewing process. Intentionally, in a beer judging class, no reflection on their product.
• Rocky River | Cozy brewpub on the far west side. 
• Brew Kettle | Figured significantly in our personal history. Apparently driving home from a brewery in Strongsville is not the right time to suggest getting married. White Rajah is fabulous.
• Cellar Rats | Bringing back the classic “Pride of Cleveland” pilsner.