Great Lakes Brewing Company

Reviews

• Tyler M.

  star star star star star 25 May 2026

  Awesome venue! In Cleveland for the weekend and wanted to hit the brewery scene and this was my number 1 priority. The beers on tap were about 15-20 deep with a ton of variety. It's not a huge place but on this fall day it was still warm enough (barely) to sit outside so we weren't crammed inside.
  
  The gift store was also really impressive. A lot of cool tshirts and sweatshirts along with posters of each of their beers. They also have a lot of souvenirs perfect for a beer lover or someone wanting a memento of Cleveland. But the highlight for me was the cooler in the gift store that had 6 packs and singles so you can build your own. Love being able to just get a single to take home instead of buying the whole 6 pack.

• L R.

  star star star star star 20 May 2026

  Great Food!
  I am not that much into beer but have been here several times for the food. The menu does change but I have never had anything that I was not a fan of.
  The potato kegs are huge and all flavors are great and come with delicious dipping sauces. The fries are the best I have had in a long time, as was the pulled pork sandwich that I also had that day. This week I tried the Sweet & Spicy BBQ Beef Pizza and it did not disappoint - it was spicy in a flavorful way that did not blow your mouth out. The pieces of steak on it were tender, and the cheese was just enough in quantity, and complimented the pieces of pickled daikon. Best of all was that it was not slathered in a ton of sauce - there was just a whisper of the spicy sauce on the crust. It was perfect. And it was large enough that it lasted for my lunch for 3 days.
  When I have dined on the premises I sat out on the patio and it was really nice. And the waiters are very attentive.
  This is well worth going out of your way for even if you are not a big beer drinker.

• Jim M.

  star star star star star 18 May 2026

  Right, so Great Lakes Brewing Company.  They were the first microbrewery in the state of Ohio, and perhaps there is a bit of pinky-raising that comes from this, but they make outstanding beer, so, well, there you go.
  
  Well, then: Beers
  Dortmunder Gold Lager is a great choice; Turntable Pils is even better, but their signature beer is the oh-so-aptly-named Burning River Pale Ale.  This is an outstanding American Pale Ale: it is my goto GLBC beer, and it has earned every one of its many awards. So.
  
  Right, Food.  You can peruse the list of appetizers, but if you settle on anything other than Hop 'N Goat, you are wrong.  Hop-infused peppers and oil, goat cheese, red pepper and herbs, spent grain barley bread, and honey.  Enough said.
  
  For entrees there are several good choices, and then the right one, which is the Pretzel Chicken.  Pretzel crusted chicken, mustard ale sauce, pepper confetti, mashed potatoes, with a fresh vegetable.  Two sizes are available: enough, and too much to eat now, but this chicken is great even cold, so, yeah.
  
  The indoor seating has some old town charm, but the outdoor is beautiful, quaint, and contemporary.  Sit outside, go on, scoot.
  
  At this point, you may be saying, well now, Jim, you missed a star in the review, and you'd be right, if you weren't wrong.  This place puts the bus in busy, and the service suffers accordingly, but there is also the-nose-in-the-air quality that adds - meaning subtracts - just enough to keep... no, I've gone back and added the fifth star.  Turns out you were right, you cheeky devil.
  
  For any faults, this is still a must-visit when I'm in town.  It is worth the trip now matter where you are in Cleveland.  Go, sit, drink.

• Christian L.

  star star star star star_border 16 May 2026

  Full malty, almost Budweisery select-brew type beer. Heavy like a Guinness - not as dark and more flavorful! Eliot Ness lager is chocolaty and nutty at the same time. Makes you feel gangster. Great walnut malt with h'ors d'ouvres and desserts. I'll dare you to find it on the East Coast! (You won't)
  
  Rebel: 4

• Emma Y.

  star star star star star 9 May 2026

  Love this place so much and it's just iconic Cleveland at its finest . We always try to go and back out as it's super crowded. However, managed to go on a sleepy Sunday and it was perfect. My husband and I had a great beer flight. Food is always good - we ordered Burgers, some chicken sandwiches , and potato kegs ( fancy jazzed up tater tots). All was amazing. Service was great and overall, perfect night.