Beer Guide: Forest City Brewery

We’d call Forest City Brewery vintage if it didn’t sound too pretentious for the family-owned brewery and taproom. Still, adorned with classic Cleveland brewery memorabilia and antique wooden coolers this 40-seat brewery is old-school to its core.

The 150-year-old Atlantic Tavern & Beer Garden has been resurrected as Forest City’s backyard green space. An open-air, 5,000-square-foot timber frame warehouse, originally built in 1915, now hosts the brewery’s events and private parties, which include a Clark Griswold-style Christmas tree during the holidays. “It was kind of like the Facebook of 1865, where people would have community functions and find out what’s going on,” says co-owner Jay Demagall. “We’re doing the same thing today by having at least three community-based events a week.”

The throwback philosophy even seeps into the beer, as Forest City specializes in traditional Euro-style brews such as its copper Duck Island Amber ale ($6 for 16 ounces). Our Pick: The St. Wendelin's Wheat ($6 for 16 ounces) is a must have, as this wheat brew with German malt and hops is named after St. Wendelin Catholic Church, Forest City's next-door neighbor. 

2135 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-228-9116, forestcitybrewery.com