Sometimes a store-bought brew just doesn't cut it. But why buy beer that's been shipped from outside Cleveland when there's a craft brewing scene right in your own backyard?
Hoodline has rounded up the best of the best from among Cleveland's breweries. See what all the buzz is about.
1. Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Topping the list is Great Lakes Brewing Company. Located at 2516 Market Ave. in Ohio City, the brewery, which also serves up traditional American fare and is an events venue, is the highest rated brewery in Cleveland, boasting four stars out of 801 reviews on Yelp.
Some of its beers include the Eliot Ness amber lager, Holy Moses white ale, Commodore Perry IPA, Lake Erie Monster imperial IPA and Nosferatu imperial red ale. (See the full list of beers here.)
It offers a public brewery tour at its facility across the street from the tasting room, which runs through both the brewery's and Cleveland's histories.
"Most of the beer served in the restaurant is piped over under the street from their brewing and manufacturing plant, which is across the street," said Yelper Zach H., writing on March 10. "This means it is the freshest way to enjoy Great Lakes Brewery beer."
2. Platform Beer Co.
Next up is Ohio City's Platform Beer Co., situated at 4125 Lorain Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 140 reviews on Yelp, the brewery and bar has proven to be a local favorite.
Its tasting room and patio has over a hundred seats with 20-plus house beers to sample. These beers rotate, but may include The Hurricanrana (American light lager), Guava Punch (fruit beer), Roll Call (German pilsner), Formidable Cool (New England IPA) or Luchador Lager (dark lager).
Yelper George S., who reviewed it on May 14, said, "The brews are consistently great, but you can still get a basic assortment of mixed drinks too. They're always adding new reasons to come back (e.g. trivia & shuffleboard nights), and each day of the week they bring in a different local restaurant to do food after 5 p.m."
3. Masthead Brewing Co.
Masthead Brewing Co. in downtown Cleveland is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 127 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1261 Superior Ave. to see for yourself.
Its house beers include the Dreamcrusher (imperial New England IPA), Unbounded Principles (Belgian quad), Ethiopian Yirgacheffe (single origin coffee stout), Falling Fruit (fruit beer) and Tire Swing (American pale wheat ale). (See the full beer menu here.)
It also serves up lunch and dinner menus with New American fare.
Writing on May 20, Yelper Kristen M. said, "Downtown brewery in a warehouse-style [building], Masthead is a casual, social-style environment with long tables, concrete floors and garage-style doors that open to the outside in warmer weather with lots of brick and exposed piping."
4. Noble Beast Brewing Co.
Check out Noble Beast Brewing Co., which has earned 4.5 stars out of 81 reviews on Yelp. You can find the brewery at 1470 Lakeside Ave. E.
Its list of draft beers includes the Evil Motives American IPA, Dearly Departed American stout, Mango Bango fruit beer, Wooden Widowmaker Belgian tripel and Catchweight Kölsch. (See the full draft list here.)
It also has a wine list and lunch/dinner menus with New American dishes.
"An open, warehouse-style concept, good food and exceptionally knowledgeable staff make this local brewery perhaps more of a hidden gem in an area swamped by an influx of craft breweries. It's not one you want to miss!" shared Yelper Leslie N. on March 4.
5. Brick and Barrel
Finally, there's Brick and Barrel, a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 58 reviews. Stop by 1844 Columbus Road to hit up the brewery and bar next time you're in the mood to try a craft beer or two.
Its draft beers include the British Strong Ale (dark, roasty ale with caramel, dark chocolate, coffee and roasted malt flavors), Smoke on the Water Porter (brewed with cherrywood smoked malt with a smokey nose and chocolate/coffee notes), and the McTavish Wee Heavy scotch ale (with flavors of dark caramel, cherries, biscuits and roasted bread). (See the full list of brews here.)
There's also a short list of wines and liquors if someone in your party isn't in the mood for beer when you visit.
Happy hours are Monday-Friday until 7 p.m.
Yelper Steve M. shared his experience there on April 9, "This place has amazing beer and the facility is the epitome of what a brewery should be ... a nice, long bar with tables scattered around while being within touching distance of the brewing equipment."
