Looking for good beer in Clevland

[le qwak]

Brew brothers!!
I'm visiting Akron/Cleveland area in August.
In Akron I was planning on visiting Thirsty Dog Brewing
I read a bit about it online & it sounds like a good place
to check out.What is in Cleveland in the way of Brewpubs?
I know of Great Lakes brewing I've been enjoying their
bottled products for years & rate them top notch. Is this
the place to go in Cleveland? Are there any other brewpubs
or good beer bars??

[brewmonkey]

Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale and go over to the Chop House and try the Pils.

[steveh]

Great Lakes Brewing has a great restaurant with great food, plus the Grotto - a basement bar that resembles an old Bierhall. Cleveland is also famous for their "Flats." It's a big party area with numerous bars and restaurants.

There was a Rock Bottom there at one time, but it was so huge that it reminded me of a TGI Fridays more than anything - and its beer paled against GLB.

Across the Flats from the RB was a big, two-story bar that had a huge beer selection, live music, and great pool tables - but, alas, I can't recall its name - it was an independent, though - no franchise.

http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/index.cfm

S.

[brewmonkey]

There is a Rock Bottom (at least there was about a year ago) on the other side of town. Beer was not bad when we were there. I would say they were probably one of the better Rock Bottom's I have been in. They also had a pool room upstairs that was kind of cool.

[steveh]

I think Cleveland's Rock Bottom (and yeah, the Flats are across town from GLB) was the first I'd been in. It seemed like a big meat-market and I wasn't too impressed with their beer. However, that was a few years ago - I've since ventured into the RB in downtown Chicago and been impressed with the place and their beer. It's more cozy than the Cleveland rendition, plus it has, what I hear is, a great roof-top beer garden - I need to check it out soon. I imagine I might give the Cleveland Rock another try.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by le qwak
I know of Great Lakes...

How 'bout this for customer service? I e-mailed GLB this morning for some info and got a very prompt reply from Kate at Great Lakes:

"We are still in the same place (2516 Market Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44113).
If your colleague is coming on a weekend evening for dinner, I would recommend a reservation, which can be made by calling 216-771-4404. We still have seating in the cellar, but the bar was taken out about a year ago. In suitable weather we have outdoor seating along the Avenue, and we have a Beer Garden where you can take beer out there or "to-go food" (there is no service out there). We do have separate lunch and dinner menus, just to let your friend know.

I hope that your colleague will join us, and I hope you can get back to see us!"

There you have it!

S.

[GlugGlug]

Great Lakes in Cleveland is simply awesome .

It is worth drinking and I can't say i've ever been to the brewery but next time i'm in Cleveland I certainly will seek it out and have some fresh brew.

The Dortmunder Gold is so so so so yummy .

The Elliot Ness Vienna Lager is no slouch either .

Wow !