In modern times, it is certainly true that the craft beer industry is experiencing a boom – with more and more independently owned breweries opening their doors each passing year.
One of the most popular brewing companies in the United States is Cleveland – a city that even stands out amongst the rich brewing heritage of the rest of the state of Ohio.
But what are the best breweries in Cleveland, and what makes them so special?
Where Is Cleveland?
Cleveland is the capital city of Ohio, and is the largest city in the state. Located on Lake Erie, and the largest city in the Great Lakes region, Cleveland has a storied and interesting history, with much to offer locals and tourists alike.
Founded in 1796 by General Moses Cleaveland, the city’s unique waterside location made it a pivotal and important hub for industry, business, and commercial shipping – something that led to it becoming a major boom town in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Perhaps most famous as the home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the famed Cleveland Browns American football team, Cleveland remains a popular city for Ohio natives and tourists alike.
The 10 Best Breweries In Cleveland
Now that we know a little more about Cleveland, and the things that make it so popular within the fabric of the United States, it is now time to take a closer look at some of the best breweries in the city – each of them adding something a little different to the city’s rich brewing history.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Great Lakes Brewing
First on our list we have Great Lakes Brewing, one of the oldest independent breweries in the city of Cleveland, and one that knows a thing or two about producing award winning, crowd pleasing beers.
Opening their doors in 1988, long before the modern craft beer trend, Great Lakes Brewing have established themselves as something of a Cleveland institution, with their beers being one of the most widely distributed beers within the city.
With 8 main beers in circulation, as well as a selection of seasonal beers, they also have their own Brewpub in the city, where customers can sample their wares on tap.
Address: 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
2. Market Garden Brewery
Next we have the Market Garden Brewery – located just around the corner from Great Lakes, and offering a charming, atmospheric location for customers to sit, converse, and sample some of the best beer in the state.
Opening in 2011, they aren’t the oldest brewery in the city of Cleveland, but they have marked out their own course, with their Market Garden beer being one of the most distributed beers in the city.
What’s more, the owners also have their own nanobrew, which acts as an incubator of sorts, where beers can be tested before they reach the main stages of distribution.
Address: 1947 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113, USA
3. Forest City Brewery
Named after the affectionate nickname that Cleveland was given after the Civil War, the Forest City Brewery might be one of the youngest micro breweries on this list, but it certainly knows where it came from – paying fitting homage to the city’s history in brewing and baseball.
Opening their doors in 2014, Forest City Brewery has many award winning beers that pay homage to the city’s past – including Black Betsy (named for baseball player ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson’s bat) and Grey Eagle (named for Tris Speaker, the former player and manager for the ‘Indians’).
Address: 2135 Columbus Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113-4229, USA
4. Fat Head’s Saloon
The next microbrewery on our list is the comically named Fat Head’s Saloon – a Pittsburgh staple that quickly looked to expand to Cleveland, and one that has had nothing but hits within the city.
Offering a wide range of award winning beers, as well as food, and souvenirs, Fat Head’s gives customers a great place to sit down, kick back, and enjoy some of the best beer and food in the state.
Address: 17450 Engle Lake Dr, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, USA
5. Butcher & The Brewer
With a name that highlights its two main loves, the Butcher & The Brewer is just that – a bar and brewery that sells award winning beers, and an adjoining butcher shop and deli selling some of the best sandwiches in town.
With a hip, industrial bar space that feels both modern and in line with the historic roots of the city, Butcher & The Brewer is everything you want from a great microbrewery – unique, homely, and absolutely packed with flavor and excitement.
Address: 2043 E 4th St, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
6. Avon Brewing Co.
Opening its doors in 2016, Avon Brewing Co. might be one of the new kids on the block, but they have quickly made a great name for themselves within the fabric of the Cleveland brewing industry.
Located in a historic part of the city, in a building laden with charm and nods to the history that sits on all sides, Avon Brewing Co. has everything you could ever want from a brewery – community spirit, and understanding of heritage, and all the amazing beer and great food you could ever wish to enjoy.
Why not pay them a visit?
Address: 37040 Detroit Rd, Avon, OH 44011-1702, USA
7. Goldhorn Brewery
Next we have the Goldhorn Brewery – born from the sizable Slovenian population that the city of Cleveland historically has, and one that brought a little old world charm to the modernity of the city.
With this comes a sense of community that can sometimes get lost in the hecticness of the modern world – one that consists of good beer, good food, great games, and plenty of laughs.
Address: 1361 E 55th St, Cleveland, OH 44103-1301, USA
8. Masthead Brewery
While having a distinctly nautical name, Masthead Brewery actually takes its name from a local legend that General Moses Cleaveland’s name was rudely shortened in the masthead of the of the local newspaper.
However, while this might seem to poke fun at one of the founding figures in the city’s history, they certainly have no shortage of respect for their heritage, producing some of the best beers in the city, and a great array of food to keep you wanting more.
Address: 1261 Superior Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114-3204, USA
9. Platform Brewing
Next we have Platform Brewing, one of the fastest growing businesses in the state of Ohio, and one that has made a name for itself in the world of brewing and customer service.
With other locations in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh, Platform Brewing is a sign that smaller businesses can make it big, and that good things really do come to those who have a great product to sell.
Address: 4125 Lorain Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113-3718, USA
10. Rocky River Brewing Co.
Last on our list, but by no means least, we have the Rocky River Brewing Co.
Paying loving tribute to the vast and beautiful landscapes that surround the Forest City, the brewery opened their doors in 1998, making them one of the oldest and most loved on this list.
Upscale and inviting, with a cozy, charming atmosphere that makes for the perfect drinking environment, what Rocky River really sells is ambience – one that can be enjoyed with award winning beers, great food, and a legacy that has become as rich as the city of Cleveland itself.
Address: 21290 Center Ridge Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116, USA
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about Cleveland, and the best breweries in the city.
It is certainly true that the craft beer industry has boomed in recent years – with more and more independent breweries opening their doors all the time.
However, as this list shows, there are some breweries that do things a little better than the rest.
So if you want to find the best breweries in Cleveland, then be sure to give these a visit. Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we know more about the best breweries in the city of Cleveland, it is now time to take a closer look at some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in finding the answer to.
Due to the popularity of Cleveland, and the many things it has to offer, it does rank in the top 22% of expensive cities in the world. This means that the cost of living in Cleveland, and the price of visiting, does rank higher than other cities in Ohio.
Despite Ohio being a large brewing state, Cleveland still ranks as one of the best producing cities in the state – if not the country. This is due to the sheer history involved, the expertise at play, and the uniqueness of the beer produced.
Inspired by my love for brewing, I started this site with my friend Derek. We travel, discover unique beers, and share our experiences and recommendations. Join us in exploring our favorite beers and breweries. Enjoy our site as we share our passion with you!
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