brick and barrel Why we love it: A garage door in the Flats opens to reveal a cozy taproom with tables made from old carts by owner and brewer Karl Spiesman's family and a 14-seat bar that rotates a lineup of cask ales, barrel-aged beers and more. "It's low key," says Spiesman. Try this: The Bitter Chief IPA ($5 per pint) has a crisp, malty backbone with citrusy, grassy notes and a name that speaks to disgruntled Tribe fans. 1844 Columbus Road, Cleveland, 216-331-3308, brickandbarrelbrewing.com
butcher and the brewer Why we love it: This brewpub may get a lot of attention for its fun communal dining, but it's master brewer Eric Anderson's 10-barrel brewing system that has us pulling up a seat. "It's whatever whim I want to play on," he says. "If I want to do crazy things, I have full rein over all of that." Try this: The Jake ($5.50 per pint) is a cream ale with a touch of corn. It's light, crisp and a great leadoff to a night at Progressive. 2043 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-331-0805, butcherandthebrewer.com
the cleveland brewery Why we love it: Terminal Tower-shaped draft-handles pour beers named for local landmarks and celebrities at this 800-square-foot spot run by John Fuduric and his wife, Mary. "We're a one-barrel brewing system," Fuduric says. "We do double IPAs, triple IPAs, wheats, saisons, everything." Try this: San Giovanni saison ($6 per draft) mixes a saison-style Belgium ale with a splash of sauvignon blanc for a fruity, spicy taste. 777 E. 185th St., Cleveland, 216-534-6992, facebook.com/216brew
platform beer co. Why we love it: Try eight to 12 house-made drafts in an ever-changing lineup that results from brewer Shaun Yasaki's fearless experiments. "He's got a beer right now that's barrel aging on pork bones," co-owner Paul Benner says. Try this: The New Cleveland Palesner ($5 per draft), a pilsner and pale ale hybrid, has a clean, sharp taste with floral and herbal aromas. 4125 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-202-1386, platformbeerco.com
portside distillery and brewery Why we love it: Armed with degrees in chemistry and physics, brewer Dan Malz crafts beers in a 145-year-old building that once housed a church organ factory. "Since we're only doing seven-barrel batches, the turnaround on our brewing time is very fresh," says operations director Matthew Zappernick. Try this: The Berry Blonde ($6.50) combines Portside's beer and rum for a refreshing beer cocktail reminiscent of a raspberry shandy. 983 Front Ave., Cleveland, 216-586-6633, portsidedistillery.com
