Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, United States | A la Carte Restaurants

From its earliest beginnings, Great Lakes Brewing Company, in the United States, made an unwavering commitment to offer customers the most flavourful, freshest beer in the business by settling in a neighbourhood that was once the heart of Cleveland’s brewing industry. Established in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway, Great Lakes Brewing Company, became the first microbrewery in the state of Ohio and today remains Ohio's most celebrated and award-winning brewer of lagers and ales.

Possessing a healthy respect for the fine art and science of brewing, the Conways invited Master Brewer Thaine Johnson (1921-2005) to join them during the company's earliest days. Johnson (whose three decades of experience as a brewer included managing Cleveland's last remaining brewery, Christian Schmidt) played a key role in working with the Conways to develop the recipes for their first beers. "From the beginning, we incorporated the techniques of brewing used by European brewers in our own craft brewing process," explains co-owner Patrick Conway. "We were determined to use only the freshest ingredients, no preservatives and chemicals. We also refused to succumb to pasteurization, which ultimately compromises flavour.”



Approximately 1,000 barrels were produced during the first year. The first brew, a Dortmunder-style beer originally called The Heisman (named for the famed football player who lived around the corner from Great Lakes Brewing Company) was an overnight success. The flagship brew was eventually renamed Dortmunder Gold and was joined by other award-winning brews - Burning River Pale Ale, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Holy Moses White Ale and seasonal like Conway's Irish Ale, Commodore Perry IPA and Christmas Ale.



Great Lakes Brewing Company, is a principle-cantered, environmentally respectful and socially conscious company committed to crafting fresh, flavourful, high-quality beer and food for the enjoyment of our customers. They aspire to maintain their status as the premier craft brewery in the Great Lakes region and are dedicated to uncompromising service, continuous improvement and innovative consumer education.

With anywhere from a half-dozen to 10 home brews on tap daily, Great Lakes Brewing is Cleveland's biggest local brewery. Sample such libations as Dortmunder Gold and Burning River Pale Ale. Patrons can also settle in for a steak, fish or just a salad to go with their favourite brew. Tours of the brewery are also available, for those wanting to see the beverages being produced.

www.greatlakesbrewing.com