Editor's Note: This article was published in August 2024. Prices and menu items are subject to change.
Avon Brewing Co.
Why we love it: This brewpub is owned by general manager Ken Weaver, executive chef Brian Weaver and brewmaster Mathias Hauck, — a father, son and son-in-law team. Enjoy locally-sourced American fare on a relaxing waterside patio in the French Creek district, and sip on one of 22 craft beers or seven beer- and winetails — cocktails that incorporate brews and wines. Try this: Chef Weaver recommends the sachetti ($24), cheese-stuffed pasta in a white truffle sauce, finished with Parmesan and fig vincotto. For dessert, grab a King Kokonut ($7), an imperial coconut porter with a smooth, malty flavor. 37040 Detroit Road, Avon, 440-937-1816, avonbrewingcompany.com
Courtesy Mike Crupi
Bookhouse Brewing
Why we love it: German immigrants Jacob and Magdalena, whose son Herman eventually became a Cleveland mayor, brewed beer in this building from 1866 to 1901 before Cleveland & Sandusky Brewing Co. took it over. Today, that tradition continues in an English-style microbrewery and tasting room designed for the headier and calmer drinking crowd, complete with bookshelves, board games and weekly trivia nights. Try this: Grab a Double Whoops! Juicy IPA ($8), a unique doubled-up imperial, featuring a new public hop variety with aromas of mango, pineapple and fruit salad. 1526 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-862-4048, bookhouse.beer
The Bottlehouse Brewery & Mead Hall
Why we love it: Two distinct tasting rooms offer picnic table seating and an impressive list of meads, sours, ciders and beers. The Lakewood location looks straight out of the Middle Ages, while the Cleveland Heights experience is more modern with board games and cornhole. Try this: Cacao Jumped Over the Moon is a dark ale that persists of bitter chocolate, oak, whiskey and cherry. 2050 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights; 13368 Madison Ave., Lakewood; 216-214-2120, bottlehouse.co
The Brew Kettle Strongsville & Topgolf Swing Suites
Why we love it: If drinking isn’t enough, try your hand at brewing your own suds at this locale with eight different brewing stations ($140-$200), an experience exclusive to the Strongsville location. Along with far-ranging activities like Topgolf Swing Suites for golf, hockey shots and baseball pitching, the brewery is home to smokehouse meats and more than 30 beers, including the White Rajah ($5.25). Try this: The top seller is the smoke house wings ($14), four massive wings (leg included), with BBQ, Buffalo, Korean or jerk BBQ sauce. 8377 Pearl Road, Strongsville, 440-239-8788, thebrewkettle.com
Brick and Barrel
Why we love it: A charming, ramshackle interior gives way to a simplistic patio offering great views of the Columbus Road Bridge and Rivergate Park. Try this: Mason’s Imperial Pretzel Porter is a dark, 8.6% ABV beer made from seven different malts and finished with crushed pretzels. 1844 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-331-3308, facebook.com/brickandbarrel
Butcher & The Brewer
Why we love it: Treasure lies at the bottom of the grand staircase of this 100-year-old former department store on East Fourth Street, in the form of a 10-barrel brewing system that has churned out more than 60 different single-batch brews. Designed to trick haters into loving stouts, the blonde Albino Stout ($7) is the classic here. Try this: Three lollipop-style all-beef corn dogs ($12) on a stick come ready to devour with “beerjanaise,” house-made spicy ketchup. 2043 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-331-0805, butcherandthebrewer.com
Collision Bend Brewing Co.
Why we love it: It’s tough to beat a Lake Erie Sunset — Collision Bend’s blood orange wheat beer ($10.99) — on the riverfront. The 200-seat microbrewery in the Flats also offers a great selection of wood-burning pizzas and American fare from land and sea. Try this: With a menu full of brewery staples, those in the know start out with the Bavarian everything pretzel ($15) with IPA mustard and beer cheese. 1250 Old River Road, Cleveland, 216-273-7879; 1261 Babbitt Road, Euclid, 216-505 6080, collisionbendbrewery.com
Courtesy Crooked Pecker Brewing Co.
Crooked Pecker Brewing Co.
Why we love it: Owned by a family of four (parents Scott and Karen with adult children, Erik and Heather), hyper-local beers on draft and a rotating food truck round out the menu in this industrial-style taproom. The relaxed beer garden creates a storybook setting in Chagrin Falls. Try this: The Accidental Anderson ($7) is the brewery’s most popular IPA, offering creamy and citrusy notes with a hazy New England style. 8284 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 440-384-3452 crookedpeckerbrewing.com
Fat Head’s Brewery
Why we love it: There are few things from Pittsburgh that Clevelanders love, and Fat Head’s is one of them. Since opening in North Olmsted in 2009, beers like Bumble Berry, Goggle Fogger and Head Hunter have become household names — and won a keg-ful of gold and silver at the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival. Try this: The Beauty and the Beasty ($14) “headwich,” “a sandwich the size of your head,” is filled with house-smoked pulled pork, Beasty BBQ, pickles, onions and slaw, and served with fries. Various locations, fatheads.com
Forest City Brewery
Why we love it: This warehouse with a woodsy beer garden has a history that goes back even longer than the century-old trees that cover it. Keeping with the tradition of the tavern and gathering place it was in the late 1800s, the Duck Island venue frequently hosts events, especially live music. Try this: There’s nothing more Cleveland than the house cabbage and noodles ($10) in leek oil paired with an Opening Day American IPA ($7). 2135 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-228-9116 forestcitybrewery.com
Goldhorn Brewery
Why we love it: Owner Rick Semersky’s 22,000 square-foot brewery is named after an immortal mountain goat in Slovenian folklore. “With the name, he wanted to do a tribute to the neighborhood’s [Eastern European] history,” manager Chris Bassitt says. Try this: The house-made hot sauce on the Hot Chicken Sandwich ($13) bucks tradition by adding smoke to spice. Tame the heat with a Polka City Pilsner ($6), brewed with Slovenian hops. “We lean into the classics,” says Bassit. 1361 E. 55th St., Cleveland, 216-273-7001, goldhornbrewery.com
Alister White
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Why we love it: There’s nothing more iconic than Dortmunder Gold Lager ($6) or Christmas Ale ($7), a genre the brewery basically invented. The Ohio City brewpub, which features a nearly 150-year-old German beer cellar, is the first modern microbrewery in the state. Eco-friendly practices and an employee-owned stock program also make the spot shine. Try this: Share the sausage sampler ($18), a spread of sausages from Ohio City Provisions and Czuchraj Meats, sauerkraut, sauteed onions and pickles, served with mustard. 2516 Market Ave., Cleveland, 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com
Ghost Tree Brewing Co.
Why we love it: The long bar and hightops in this small brewery in downtown Amherst just make sense when you’re taking advantage of the frequent game day specials, like the the Mama Mia personal pizza with meatballs and a signature cheese blend. Try this: Ghostberry Blonde is a light, crisp 5.7% ale with flavors of natural blackberry. 223 Church St., Amherst, 440-984-3103, ghosttreebrewing.com
Hansa Brewery
Why we love it: Straight out of an old-fashioned German village, an ornate iron gate welcomes you to a brewery decorated with murals and flags. The long bar’s many German taps are perfect for building a flight with its lineup of craft beers like the Black Flag Schwarzbier ($6), a dark brown German lager with notes of caramel and toffee, or J.U.G. Weiss Bier ($6), a banana clove-hinted hefeweizen. Try this: The original wiener pork or turkey wiener schnitzel ($18.50), served with house vegetables and a choice of home fried potatoes, fries or spaetzle, is a must-try. 2717 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-631-6585, hansabrewery.com
Immigrant Son Brewery
Why we love it: Chef Jeff Motika's culinary team creates a globally-inspired menu that pairs wonderfully with the craft beers. “Our beers and food vary from traditional to exotic, that brings Old World and new world together,” says owner Andrew Revy, whose brewery is an homage to his immigrant parents. “The secret of our fantastic brunch is starting to get out, too.” Try this: Revy says the chicken paprikash ($24) — crafted with house-made celeriac spaeztle and organic airline chicken, and accented with jus, creme fraiche and pea tendrils — is as good as his grandmother’s. 18120 Sloane Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-4483, immigrantsonbrewing.com
The Jolly Scholar Brewing Co.
Why we love it: You never know who you might meet at Cleveland’s only brewery on a college campus. “We serve a wide range of people from the college population, as well as the doctors and nurses,” says director of operations Levi Hume. “It’s a community here.” Case Western Reserve University students have even been able to sign up for popular fermentation and beer-making classes at the brewery. Try this: Kick back with Henry’s Law ($4.99), a tropical wheat IPA, or graduate to a Thick Viscious scotch ale ($4.99) with notes of caramel and dried fruit. 11111 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-368-0090, thejollyscholar.com
Market Garden Brewery
Why we love it: In the heart of West 25th Street’s restaurant district, Sam McNulty and Mark Premier’s venture stands out for its three bars, lush beer garden and a 35,000 square-foot production brewery, open for tours and stocked with merch. Try this: The refreshing Lemon Shandy ($6) makes for an easy summer selection. 1947 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-621-4000, marketgardenbrewery.com
Masthead Brewing Co.
Why we love it: Grab a picnic table inside this industrial beer hall with high ceilings and a garage door patio. With selections like the Paradise ($6) fruited IPA or Oni Giri ($6) Japanese lager, the IPA-focused menu is almost outdone by the wood-fired pizzas — almost. Try this: The pistachio pesto pizza ($14) combines fresh mozzarella, parmesan and cherry tomatoes with basil pesto, pistachios and marinated chicken on a 12-inch pie. 1261 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-206-6176, mastheadbrewingco.com
Midnight Owl Brewing Co.
Why we love it: Husband-wife duo Joel Warger, who has 20 years of craft beer experience, and Rosemary Mudry, who has a strong background in community development, have worked hard to build a neighborhood gathering spot. Classic interpretations of American and European beers get a twist with non-traditional ingredients like coffee and fruit undergoing a barrel-aging process. Try this: A house-made empanada menu, inspired by the couple’s Argentinean background, sets the brewery’s food apart. “Food is a distinguishing factor where people choose to go,” says Warger. 20312 Chagrin Blvd., Shaker Heights, 216-417-3334, midnightowlbrewingcompany.com
Nano Brew Cleveland
Why we love it: Another Sam McNulty and Mark Premier joint, the skinny nanobrewery is the place to go for a rotating list of experimental beers or late-night burgers. The lush and lively multistory patio and beer garden offer treehouse vibes, while bike racks outside make the venue friendly to cyclists. Try this: The Acid Trip ($14) burger’s cabbage, vinegar slaw, balsamic reduction, pickled red onion and spicy mayo take your taste buds on a cosmic journey of sour and spice. 1859 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-862-6631, nanobrewcleveland.com
Courtesy Noble Beast Brewing Co.
Noble Beast Brewing Co.
Why we love it: A vintage Honda motorcycle and live greenery elevate this East Side brewery. Sit amongst barrels for a gastropub menu that incorporates spent grains from the beer. Try this: Order the Reggae Shark ($6), a light brew with hints of mango and pineapple, or a WDRWDR Barleywine ($12), crafted with a blend of five foudre-aged barleywines.1470 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, 216-417-8588, noblebeastbeer.com
Courtesy Pulpo Beer Co.
Pulpo Beer Co.
Why we love it: The flagship brewery just outside Downtown Willoughby offers Latin bites from sister restaurants Barocco and Hola Tacos, while the Crocker Park tasting room has a themed interior with an octopus (or pulpo, in Spanish) chandelier and a streetside patio. Try this: Tropical Thunder, 6.7%. This Pina Colada IPA contains a mix of vanilla beans, coconut flakes and pineapple. 13941 Erie St., Willoughby, 440-527-8125; 20 Main St., Westlake, 440-772-4013, pulpobeerco.com
Rocky River Brewing Co.
Why we love it: This woodsy, family-
friendly West Side watering hole has been serving up burgers, pizzas, pasta and sandwiches alongside award-winning brews for more than 25 years. Try this: The Pirate Light Kolsch ($5.50) from brewmaster Steve Kessler is a Bavarian-style kolsch named after the city school’s mascot. 21290 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, 440-895-2739, rockyriverbrewco.com
Alister White
Saucy Brew Works
Why we love it: When the craving for New Haven pizza and libations hits, stop by this modern brewery. Don’t miss the dog-friendly all-weather patio at the Hingetown brewery or the cafe vibes of the Cali-inspired East Side pub and coffee shop at Pinecrest. Try this: A top-tier pick when it comes to Saucy’s award-winning pizza is the Bees Knees ($15+), topped with saucy red sauce, mozzarella, honey, spicy capicola and red pepper flakes. Various locations, saucybrewworks.com
Schnitz Ale Brewery
Why we love it: Nearly 20 years after opening Das Schnitzel Haus in Parma in 2005, the same family unveiled its 9,500 square-foot two-story modern restaurant and brewery with an ornate wrought iron staircase and authentic menu of European dishes and brews. “We immigrated in 1999,” says owner Igor Djurin. “Our beer is very German inspired.” Try this: Pair with a refreshing Schnitz classic ($6) kolsch with the sausage platter ($18), which features two “haus” made German sausages, drunken cannellini beans, kale crisps and balsamic-dijon aioli. 5729 Pearl Road, Cleveland, 440-340-4353, schnitzalebrewery.com
Courtesy Sibling Revelry
Sibling Revelry Brewing
Why we love it: Opening the garage doors of this decent-sized industrial brewpub to a massive outdoor patio creates a spacious all-weather experience near Crocker Park. Try this: Coffee Red ($7) is a red ale with a sweet finish thanks to coffee and caramel. 29305 Clemens Road, Westlake, 440-471-8589, siblingrevelrybrewing.com
Southern Tier Brewery Cleveland
Why we love it: New-York based Southern Tier Brewing Co.’s Cleveland taproom arrived in Cleveland’s Gateway District in 2018 rocking 30-plus taps and its own production facility, which includes a state-of-the-art German-designed brewing system. With favorites like the Pumpking Imperial Ale ($7) on draft and foodie-favorite bar staples, including pizza made with dough using Nu Skool IPA, the industrial chic two-floor space makes for a convenient pre-game hangout. Try this: The shareable smoked wings ($15) with 2X IPA BBQ sauce are a flavorful pick, served with fries. 811 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, 440-484-4045, stbcbeer.com
Terrestrial Brewing Co.
Why we love it: Located in the Battery Park neighborhood, this establishment has a laid-back feel with great views of Lake Erie. There’s space for parties of all sizes, and dogs are welcomed both inside and outside. Try this: Daphne ($6.50) is a crisp ale brewed from fresh honey and ginger. 7524 Father Frascati, Cleveland, 216-465-9999, terrestrialbrewing.com
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
