Beer Travels: Cleveland, Part II
I took my second trip to Cleveland last week and made it a point to scout out a few breweries, and I’m glad I did. The beer scene there is blossoming.
Platform Beer Company is in the Ohio City neighborhood just west of downtown. The large rustic spot had 14 of its own beers on tap, and the few I tried were excellent. Hubris IIPA had a nice balance of both piney and citrus hops flavor, and the New Cleveland Palesner had the crispness of a slightly hopped-up pilsner. Run with the Devil was a definite highlight. It’s a barley wine blended with barrel-aged old ale on Brett. I didn’t get much funk from the brew, but it did have a big boozy malty flavor that I liked.
Great Lakes Brewing is just a short walk from Platform. When I’m traveling, I sometimes skip breweries that distribute around here, simply because I can get their beer any time I want. I’m glad I didn’t skip Great Lakes because the brewpub is one of the best I’ve ever been to. The exterior, in a cozy enclave of old storefronts, is unassuming. The wood-accented interior gives off the vibe of a really good old neighborhood tavern. I sat at the ornate mahogany bar and ordered a Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale. If you go, and feel really hungry, get the Po’ Man – Cuban bread topped with kielbasa, potato and cheese pierogi, sauerkraut and mustard.
My third beer-related stop was at Butcher and the Brewer, an upscale downtown spot. The spacious tavern was bustling, and it was easy to figure out why. The two beers I had were excellent, highlighted by Ophelia’s Second Coming Pale Wheat Ale, and the food wasn’t the average brewpub fare. The menu included charcuterie, oysters, a lobster roll, diver scallops and an excellent shrimp and grits.
Note: Nano Brew received high recommendations, but unfortunately I ran out of time. I’ll get there the next time I’m in Cleveland.
Oktoberfest Done Right
The second weekend of Oktoberfest takes place at the Bavarian Bier Haus (700 W. Lexington Blvd.). German brews, ample food and great music keep things hopping at the massive celebration from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and noon to midnight on Saturday. Entry is just $5 at the door. (Free admission for active military, veterans, firefighters and police.) The Gemütlichkeit continues on September 23 and 24, and wraps up on September 30 and October 1. You’ve got some time, but make sure you don’t miss it.
Barley Pop of the Week
Last week I sampled Surly Fest, an unusual take on an Oktoberfest beer. This week it’s a more traditional, and equally delicious brew. New Glarus Staghorn is an extremely smooth brew with prominent malt flavor that isn’t too sweet. It’s as drinkable as an Oktoberfest gets.
Quick Taps
Check out Draft Magazine’s list of 25 Breweries on the Rise. I’ve tried brews from Bissel Brothers, Trillium and Transient and can vouch for all three. It’s a good list that I’d like to sample more from. I’d also like to see a Milwaukee brewery on there next year.
Beer guru Tom “Grynder” Ciula posted a rave review of Fermentorium Citra Summer in his latest newsletter. I couldn’t agree more. One of my favorite beers of 2016. I always feels some sense of validation when Grynder agrees.
Check out the awesome entries for New Belgium’s Detroit Art Bikes promotion. Brinkley Messick won the competition. Pretty cool stuff.
Events Brewing
Tuesday, September 13: Props to Draft & Vessel (4417 N. Oakland Ave.) for giving new Milwaukee breweries a proper introduction. Good City Brewing is the first guest of honor. The folks from the East Side brewery will be there from 6 to 8 p.m., and they’re bringing beer.
Wednesday, Sept. 14: Renegade Brewing takes over the taps at Ray’s Growler Gallery (8930 W. North Ave.) starting at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 14: The Milwaukee Beer Society is as good a group as any to host a bottle share. Bring a bomber of something good to share at Best Place (901 W. Juneau Ave.) at 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 16: MobCraft pours its beer at the Humboldt Park beer garden (3000 S. Howell Ave.).
Friday, Sept. 16: Nebraska Brewing (Go Big Red) brings its tasty brews to Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) from 4 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17: The good beer fests aren’t quite done. Great Lakes Brew Fest at the Racine Zoo (200 Goold St., Racine) features more than 100 outstanding breweries. Door open to regular ticket holders at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $50.
Saturday, Sept. 17: Flagship beers are the subject of the weekly sampling at both Three Cellars locations (7133 S. 76th St., Franklin, and N72 W13400 Lund Lane, Menomonee Falls) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 17: Oktoberfests abound, but some earn mention for being unique. The celebration at Matty’s Bar & Grille (14460 W. College Ave.) runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Matty’s will have the required Oktoberfest brews and food, but the bar is also hosting two awesome competitions. On Saturday, there’s a brat eating contest at 2 p.m., and on Sunday at noon there’s a stein hoisting competition. Want to compete? Email christina@mattyscatering.com to sign up.
Sunday, Sept. 18: The Malt Shoppe (813 N. Mayfair Rd.) hosts a Sunday bottle share at 5:30 p.m., which is a fine way to end the week. The theme this time around is smoked beers. So bring a couple of 12-ounce bottles or one 22-ounce bottle of a good smoked beer and prepare to share.
