Great Lakes Brewing Co

Great Lakes Brewing Company, established in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway, is a renowned brewery and brewpub located in Cleveland, Ohio. As Ohio's first brewpub and microbrewery, it has played a pivotal role in shaping the state's craft beer landscape. It has also been integral to the revitalization of Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood.

Brewpub and Restaurant

The brewery's original brewpub, situated at 2516 Market Avenue, offers a unique dining experience with a historic ambiance. The establishment features a Tiger Mahogany bar from the 1860s, a Beer Cellar, and the Rockefeller Room, named after John D. Rockefeller, who was believed to have worked in the building.

The menu showcases a variety of dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients. This reflects the brewery's commitment to supporting regional agriculture and reducing its carbon footprint.

Beer Selection

Great Lakes Brewing Company offers an extensive range of beers, including year-round favorites and seasonal releases. Notable year-round beers include:

• Dortmunder Gold Lager: An award-winning Dortmunder-style lager, originally named "The Heisman," with an ABV of 5.8%.
• Edmund Fitzgerald Porter: A 6.0% ABV porter named after the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which frequented Cleveland ports and sank in 1975.
• Midwest IPA: A 7.0% ABV India Pale Ale with a "sensible" amount of hops, marketed as the "unofficial IPA of Midwest Nice."

Seasonal offerings include:

• Conway's Irish Ale: A 6.3% ABV Irish ale brewed in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day.
• Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter: A 12.5% ABV imperial porter aged in bourbon barrels.

The brewery also introduced the Double Feature IPA series in 2024, featuring high-alcohol content double IPAs such as Chillwave Double IPA and Return of the Lake Erie Monster Double IPA.

Distribution and Expansion

Initially serving the Cleveland area, Great Lakes Brewing Company has expanded its distribution across several states, including:

• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Washington, D.C.

In 2024, the brewery extended its reach to Massachusetts and Rhode Island, coinciding with the seasonal release of its Oktoberfest beer.

Community Engagement and Sustainability

The brewery is deeply committed to community engagement and sustainability. It has established partnerships with local farms such as Ohio City Farm to source fresh produce and support urban agriculture.

Additionally, Great Lakes Brewing Company emphasizes water stewardship, aiming to reduce water usage in its brewing and bottling processes.

Locations

Great Lakes Brewing Company operates its main brewpub and brewery in Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, it maintains locations in:

• Cleveland, OH, USA
• Hoboken, NJ, USA
• Pittsburgh, PA, USA
• Dayton, OH, USA

These expansions reflect the brewery's growing popularity and commitment to bringing its craft beers to a broader audience.