Beer Buzz
By now you may have ventured to Great Lakes Brewing Company for the inaugural batch of Christmas Ale, filled a growler at Thirsty Dog or grabbed a few pints at Winking Lizard.
But how many times have you been to Kent’s 101 Bottles of Beer on the Wall, tasted a flight of craft beer at Cleveland’s Tremont Tap House or sipped a glass of Willoughby’s Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter?
Never fear, akronlife is here to offer up our guide to Northeast Ohio’s craft beer scene.
Naysayers have called this endeavor a tad too ambitious, but I look at it as a labor of love. Craft beer, in some form or another, has been a part of my life for nearly a decade now. Over the last few years, my admiration for original microbrews has grown to new heights. Vacations to the West Coast, along with road trips to surrounding states, have led to explorations for the best local beers in some of the nation’s most off-the-wall bars. A once-social activity has now become a passionate obsession, and local breweries, like Great Lakes and Hoppin’ Frog, have played a significant role in my brew bewitchment.
“We’re so lucky to be in Ohio and enjoying the craft scene,” says John Lane, vice president of operations at Winking Lizard and mastermind behind the local chain’s World Beer Tour. “We’re such a big beer-drinking state that breweries from across the country can’t wait to get here and sell some beer.”
So, future beer snobs, set down your Bud Light and join us on a journey outside your comfort zone to discover the world of craft beer right around the corner.
The Local Brews
The Brew Kettle
“White Rajah” and “Tunguska”
Already an award-winning brewery thanks to its impressive lineup — which includes the robust porter One Eyed Jack — Strongsville’s The Brew Kettle boasts two beers that rise above the rest. White Rajah is a near-perfect West Coast-style IPA chock full of tropical fruit and citrus flavors and truly must be tasted by anyone who considers themselves a beer lover. Tunguska, an imperial stout which gives off a distinct roastiness with notes of coffee, chocolate and dark fruit, is also a must.
Fat Head’s
“Hop Juju”
While Fat Head’s in North Olmsted already has several award-winning beer notches in its belt (including the fantastic and much-adored Head Hunter IPA), their best-brewed beer could very well be the limited release Hop Juju, a double IPA full of pine and citrus notes combined with bitter flavors of grapefruit and orange.
Hoppin’ Frog
“Hopped-Up Goose Juice” and “Barrel-Aged BORIS the Crusher”
Akron’s own Hoppin’ Frog is a world-renowned brewing company thanks to the stellar work by brewer Fred Karm, who continues to surprise beer aficionados with his inventive creations. His two most celebrated beers come in the form of a relatively new batch and a well-seasoned one. Hopped-Up Goose Juice is one of the brewery’s latest offerings and is a hop-filled rye India Pale Ale, while Barrel-Aged BORIS the Crusher is an Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout that is responsible for garnering fame for the company.
Columbus Brewing Company
“Bodhi” and “Creeper”
Columbus Brewing Company finally made its way into Northeast Ohio last year with two incredible brews – Bodhi, a complex and aggressive double India Pale Ale and Creeper, an out-of-this-world barley wine. Both began as part of the brewery’s Hop Odyssey series, an exploration of the relationship between malt and hops in which a new hopped-up beer was introduced each month.
Great Lakes Brewing
“Hop Madness”
Great Lakes has garnered quite the following because of beers like Christmas Ale, Commodore Perry, Lake Erie Monster and Blackout Stout. But, quite possibly, their best beer arrives by way of the rarely brewed Hop Madness. Originally coined The Quitness, a stab at LeBron James and his move to South Beach, this intensely dry-hopped India Pale Ale has what every hophead hopes for – strong citrus and grapefruit notes with an intense bitter finish.
Check out the Untappd app, a mobile and web based social network for beer drinkers.
Rivertown
“Lambic”
This small, yet articulate Cincinnati brewery has slowly made its way into Northeast Ohio, and its early summer offering made beer enthusiasts take notice. As a fermented beer aged in port oak wine barrels for over a year, Rivertown’s Lambic is a sour and tart brew that may be an acquired taste, but beer aficionados should get their hands on a pint right away.
Thirsty Dog Brewing Company
“Barrel-Aged Siberian Night”
While most local beer drinkers have played it safe, tipping back a few of Thirsty Dog’s bestsellers — among them, the robust porter Old Leghumper, the traditional German lager Labrador Lager and the Scottish export ale Twisted Kilt — owner John Najeway’s most astonishing beer is the limited release barrel-aged version of his imperial stout. Siberian Night is filled with notes of roasted dark chocolate, vanilla and coffee, followed by an extraordinary bourbon finish.
Check out Akron’s Award-Winning Breweries
Willoughby Brewing
“Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter”
Before you dig out your atlas, allow me to educate you. Willoughby, located in Lake County, is a suburb of Cleveland. While this brewery crafts some incredible beers, the clear stand-out here is the aptly-titled Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter. This fan-favorite combines locally roasted coffee with, you guessed it, peanut butter and chocolate to create a subtle yet immensely satisfying beer.
Market Garden
“Trouble”
Ohio City’s Market Garden strives on creating well-balanced beers when most breweries nowadays aim instead for extreme flavors. Trouble walks the line of both, but most definitely in a good way. This imperial India Pale Ale was brewed with honey, resulting in a bittersweet and hop-filled brew worthy of much admiration.
Pubs & Places to Buy & Enjoy Beer
The Lockview
Located on Main Street, not far from The University of Akron and just down the street from the standard college bar crawl, The Lockview is the area’s most beloved stop for craft beer connoisseurs. A giant chalkboard hangs over the bar with a laundry-list of brews that make eager drinkers rejoice. With over 100 bottled beers and more than a dozen on draft, this Akron hangout is well-deserving of its craft beer reputation. If you play your cards right, you may be lucky enough to score rarities like Founder’s Kentucky Breakfast Stout.
Thatsa Wrapp
Tucked down a one-way street in Downtown Canton’s art district, Thatsa Wrapp is well worth seeking out for its 50-plus beers, friendly staff and divine wraps. Though the tap list is small, chef and owner Jeff Wagner makes up for it with his excellent taste in beer. Goose Island’s Sofie, Columbus Brewing’s Bodhi and Founder’s Breakfast Stout can often be found on tap, making for a bloody good time. The food is to-die-for, as are the homemade potato chips, which do a swell job of complementing the great beers you will undoubtedly consume.
The Brew Kettle
This Strongsville brewery and pub is not only the home of one of the only brew-on-premises locations in the area, but it also boasts a lineup of beers every week. Thirty beers fill the draft, with at least five or six of the pub’s own brews occupying a handful of taps. Local limited releases like Thirsty Dog’s Barrel-Aged Siberian Night and Hoppin’ Frog’s Hopped-Up Goose Juice have graced the list, while Dogfish Head’s Burton Baton (a double IPA) and Founder’s Cerise (a cherry fruit beer) are some of the usual suspects that are frequently available at this establishment.
Buckeye Beer Engine
For great comfort food and an insane beer selection, head on over to Lakewood’s Buckeye Beer Engine. Right down the street from Melt Bar and Grilled (an equally sensational spot for ordering a beer with your gourmet grilled cheese sandwich), this brew mecca has 30-plus beers on tap with hundreds more available by the bottle. Buckeye Beer Engine pulls no stops when it comes to giving beer lovers a way to spend their money. Cask-conditioned ales can regularly be found on draft as well as other rarities you’re not likely to find anywhere else.
Lizardville
With locations in Bedford Heights and Rocky River and a third planned for Akron’s Montrose area, Lizardville is the ultimate spot for craft beer drinkers. The brew haven boasts a selection of over 600 bottled beers, which can be chilled for your convenience in less than 10 minutes or simply taken home for enjoyment on your own time. Lizardville also offers a half-dozen beers constantly rotating on draft, often tapping beers for rare Northeast Ohio appearances. Spawned from the masterminds behind Winking Lizard, this highly-acclaimed craft beer house is a must-visit for anyone looking for a good time and a unique experience.
North End
While Hudson is known for its upscale cuisine and beautiful homes, don’t discount the town’s little guys; North End is a place you won’t want to miss. Though the selection may not rival those of larger stops, North End contains close to 100 beers in its coolers with another eight on draft. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and is always eager to help you with your beer choices.
Tremont Tap House
Nestled in one of the oldest and hippest sections of Cleveland, Tremont Tap House is the city’s first gastro pub, a London-inspired pub featuring upscale grub and an array of killer brews. Beer enthusiasts can choose from more than 48 craft beers on tap, with most visitors taste-testing brews via a flight — a selection of four or so taster glasses of different beers. This is the most cost-efficient way to experience the wide range of selections.
Winking Lizard
Celebrating its 26th World Tour of Beer, Winking Lizard and its 14 locations offer craft beer drinkers one of the largest varieties of brews in Ohio. This year brings more than 300 beers from both an exhaustive bottle list and monthly rotating taps.