I don’t know why I have not written about this place before but it needs to be done. Platform Brewery makes its niche in Cleveland with the small batch brewing through its incubator program. It allows people to jump-start their brewing capabilities without a huge capital investment. Great idea for people who don’t have small million dollar loan to help them out from Daddy. Wait was that a political reference? But really this place has lots of different beers on tap and is located off the main strip of West 25th in Ohio City but still gets great crowds and provides a laid back atmosphere to taste some delicious beers. I highly recommend it for craft beer lovers who want lots of variety and uniqueness.
Author: Chris Elliott
It’s Basically October: Go to Oktoberfest
It is basically October in my mind. Summer is wrapping up and fall will be here before you know it even if the weather has not cooled. Basic girls will be drinking their PSLs (pumpkin spice lattes) and taking pics at the apple orchard. I know this because my girlfriend will want to go.And while fall means no more time on the water, it does provide a great fall beer scene.
This past weekend I went to the Cleveland Scene Oktoberfest and will be going to a friend’s in a few weeks.Fall beers are the best thing about fall. Sorry basic girls but flannels and sweaters are not the best thing about fall. From your local Oktoberfest brew (Great Lakes Brewing Company has a good one) to Pumpking, to the many German beers out there fall is a great beer time. So throw on that flannel and jeans and head out to your local Oktoberfest while you can (or head to German if you can afford it). Winter will be here soon. .
Run, Beer, Brick and Barrell
It may be Sunday night and I may have done this on Wednesday but it’s still recent enough that I feel it’s OK to still post as if it just happened. So just roll with it. I have said this before but white people love to combine mild physical activity and beer. Not to say other races or ethnicities do not like to but come on we all know white people love it the most. Everyone else tends to split the two activities up but not crazy white people (see my post on the beer mile). And I am white so I can say that. That’s how this works right?
I have done a few of these Brewery Runs in the Cleveland area so far. A bunch of people meet up and run a 3-6 mile run then have beer at a brewery or restaurant. The event is free, you just pay for your beer. I think the run makes us all feel better about the calories. Or maybe we just all need a reason to drink. Either way I am not complaining. It is a great time to check out another brewery or restaurant in Cleveland. It seems like one is popping up every 5 minutes here.
This time the event was at Brick and Barrel. Located down in the Flats. For those from outside of Cleveland the Flats have completely changed in the last few years. I suggest checking them out. It’s a different place than it use to be. This brewery has been around for a few years now but this was my first visit. A real relaxed environment in an old brick building of course giving off that vibe that this is the place you come after a hard day of work. I tried a couple different beers and really enjoyed an IPA called Bitter Chief. It is named after Chief Wahoo for all you tribe fans and is a good selection as the tribe gear up for a pennant race.
The next event is at the end of September at Great Lakes Brewery and I will be there. Ready to slowly shuffle my flat feet around a few miles and enjoy a beer as a reward. Because really what can be better?
Charleston: Filled with Southern Charm
Now that I’ve had 24 hours to regroup after that trip down South, I thought i would sit down and put the fingers to the keyboard. Charleston, SC is honestly a top 3 city I have ever been to. I spent just a few days there but accomplished so much yet still only saw a small piece of the city. And the people, wow! Talk about southern hospitality. Seriously this city has beautiful beaches, history around every corner and yeah some pretty good beer.
During my time there, I tried beer from four different local breweries and visited two. I enjoyed multiple beers from Palmetto Brewing Co. and Westbrook Brewing Company. Both produced quality beers. Trying local beers is one thing but I usually have to visit at least 1 brewery in a city. I think you get a better feel for the beer there and they usually have some you cannot get anywhere else. My girlfriend and I managed to get to two, Revelry Brewing Co. and Southend Brewery & Smokehouse. Honestly, while Southend had delicious food, the beer was just average. Revelry on the other hand was fantastic. Now, I have to admit I am not familiar with the New England style IPA but theirs called “Never Sunny” wins best SC beer in my book. Highly recommend it.
Beer wasn’t the only thing there though. We ate like gluttonous pigs at Hominy Grill, The Park Cafe, Closed For Business and others. We saw the well-known sites like Rainbow Row, The Battery, and Angel Oak. And we enjoyed top end beaches like Isle of the Palms and Folly Beach where my back “Felt the Bern” more than a 21-year-old Gender Studies major at a Sanders rally. Note to self, reapply sunscreen often.
Seriously, this was an amazing city. I will be back. I have to drag my girlfriend to all the historic sites next time. Charleston like its people, has more to give.
Wade, Durant, and the Crazed Events Surrounding NBA Free Agency
NBA Free Agency has started up and caused a plethora of tweets, thoughts and hot takes. Every white guy with an average jump shot now gets pad $10 Million a year in the new NBA. I am pretty sure I am due a 4 year/$6 Million deal shortly. My solid celebrations and hustle can at least earn me that.
But really, these contracts are not that absurd. In fact, when the cap goes up again next year they will seem like bargains. Maybe I should sign a 2 year deal with a player option? My value is sure to sky-rocket.
With Kevin Durant bolting for Golden State and proving how much of a choke job he really is, the NBA is really a battle between 3-4 teams…at most. Sorry everyone else it is July 5th and your season is over. Time to play for the lottery. It also has started a series of Wade to the Cavs rumors. Would I love to see Wade in a Cavs jersey next season? Yes, of course. He can still average 16 points in the Cavs lineup and help retain the title in Believeland. But that is just not realistic. Cavs don’t have the money. I could see this as Lebron’s ploy to get his buddy his money and also get the Cavs another player. Could this force a team to dump a player in a trade with the Cavs that fits into one of their trade exceptions in order for a team to sign Wade? Yes, and I think that is what will happen. Wade will get paid more than the 2 year deal worth $40 Million. Lebron will get another body to help defend the land and everyone will go home happy…. Well except Thunder fans. Sucks to be them.
Beer in a Christmas Town
This past Saturday I stopped at brewery in Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth is a tourist town in Michigan known for Christmas and German food. I have been to Frankenmuth a few times but this was my first time stopping at Frankenmuth Brewery.
Ok, I have to admit the reason for stopping was my girlfriend’s obsession with her dachshund and the fact that the mascot for Frankenmuth Brewery is a dachshund. She had to visit and I was not going to object to the chance to try another brewery.
I was pleasantly surprised with the beer here. I tried 8 different beers and have to say there was not a single one I didn’t enjoy. My favorite was the Belgian Quad called Oh My Quad! It is a fantastic beer that I would place in my top 5 I have ever had. I was also impressed with the variety. They brew quite a few beers for a small craft brewer and I don’t think I even tried half of them. Just another reason for me to visit again.
Frankenmuth is a cool little town that is well worth the visit, especially around Christmas time. And while you’re there stop in to Frankenmuth Brewery. I recommend it.
Why Cleveland?
I can’t tell you what its like to win a championship. Personally, I have come close but never won one. I see myself in this city that longs for a title.
I have always hated fans referring to the team as “We”. We didn’t practice, we didn’t play, we didn’t coach. Most of the time there is no we. However, in Cleveland it’s different this time. This team and this city are connected.
Tonight, June 19, 2016, could be the greatest night in Cleveland history. No other city has been waiting for this day quite like Cleveland has.We have waited and waited. Sat through heart-break after heart break. For years Cleveland has been the mistake by the lake. The city no one wants to visit. Our nightlife sucks, our teams suck, our city sucks. Our players leave, our people move out and our best players bail on us because you can’t win in Cleveland. This is the narrative everyone wants you to think. Yet, the narrative has slowly been changing. Travel magazines and blogs say we are the place to visit, people rave about our homegrown chefs and dining scene and even the republicans think Cleveland is important politically. Our teams returned, our people moved back and even our players come back like a prodigal son. Maybe, the old narrative isn’t true.
We know Golden State is the best team in regular season history. Curry and Klay are the best shooters ever. Everyone knew we didn’t stand a chance epitomized by the 3-1 series start. The season was going up in flames like our river once did. Lebron couldn’t handle pressure, Kyrie was not fit to be a superstar and Cleveland sports once again will come up short. But we don’t believe that narrative about Cleveland. We never did.
Slowly, the impossible seems to be occurring. It’s cool to be from Cleveland. The flats are back, old neighborhoods are rising and young people are flocking to Cleveland in waves this town has never seen. This is the new Cleveland narrative.
Outside this city there was little hope. The Warriors were about to complete the greatest season. Then the Cavs stole game 5 on the road. Lebron showed why he is the true MVP in game 6 and suddenly the Cavs forced game 7 against the best team ever. The Cavs are writing a new chapter..
My earliest sports memory was the 97 world series. It’s just one of many famed Cleveland sports failures. And like any young kid I didn’t realize I would have to wait 10 years to see the city have another chance. Only to see any hope come crumbling down with “The Decision”. Yet, Lebron came back. The city came back. The Cavs came back. WE came back. .
And come tonight the Warriors could find their jumper. Lebron could lose his and Kyrie could disappear and all would return to normal in the eyes of the outside world. Cleveland would again let one slip and the city would remain without a title. Yet, the narrative seems different. The city is different. This team is different. We are different. We know it won’t be easy. It won’t be given to us. Like everything we have in this city, it will be earned. This title will need to be earned. In North East Ohio, we know nothing is given, everything is earned. #AllIn216 #Believeland
Mile of Death…And Beer
I know I should have written this sooner. But better late than never right?
Last week, I ran in the Cleveland National Beer Mile. Honestly, I didn’t think this would be very challenging. I drink beer pretty well and I can run at a decent pace. I workout on a regular basis. I should easily be able to combine the two. That was my thought going in.
My god was I wrong. The beer mile is test of physical endurance, lung capacity and chugging. I gulped down the first beer quickly. 10-12 seconds I would estimate. Solid start. I took off on a sprint and reached the second beer at a good time. I was doing well. Beer number 2 took a little longer but still under a minute. Then I ran. Or jogged. Actually it was shuffle. The second beer hits you. There was no more sprinting. I reached beer 3 and was quickly loosing pace. I gasped for breath as I tried to swallow the bubbly liquid. This one took me well into 2 minutes to finish and I still had half a mile to go. I trudged along to beer 4 and finished it in a more reasonable time frame before jogging the last quarter mile to the finish. All in all the race took me 13 minutes and 25 seconds. Respectable but no where near the top finishers of the day. The world record holder was there and casually did it in 5 and half minutes with out even breaking a sweat. That is an amazing physical accomplishment. Props to that guy. I fully expect this event to gain popularity because white people love combining physical activity and beer then having a celebration after. It makes us feel like we accomplished something and deserve those beers. It is how we justify the calories.
Now to train for 2017. Do I start with the running part or the beer? I’ll figure that out with this beer.
A Knights Beer
I can’t say I was familiar with Mead before this trip to The BottleHouse Brewery in Lakewood but if it was good enough for the knights of the round table then it’s good enough for me. This brewery opened up this second location in Lakewood relatively recently after having its main location on the east side of Cleveland and I have been looking for an opportunity to try it out. The place is truly a trip back to the middle ages with the aged wood and iron throughout.
The man attraction is the mead that does not go light on the punch. Drinking this on a regular basis would make any man fit to wield a sword. For those that want something more traditional, they have plenty of house beers and ciders on tap. Quite a large selection for a small craft brewery actually. Definitely an unique experience that I will have to try again. 
Pour My Own Beer? Yes Please.
Another new place in Cleveland opened up recently and I had to try it out when I heard about their Inebriation Stations.
Wild Eagle Saloon is a country themed bar in Downtown Cleveland. What sets them a part from other bars are the Inebriation Stations located throughout the bar where you can pour your own beer by swiping a prepaid card. You pay by the ounce and this allows you to try multiple beers quickly or fill up a big glass if you prefer. It’s easy to see how the stations got their name.
While pouring your own beer is a cool and unique concept, I have to say the reason I will go back is for the food. Talk about a fat kids heaven. Bacon fried bacon, fried mac cheese balls and a gigantic burger challenge with it all topped on two burgers. I can feel my arteries clogging with delicious greasiness. Cleveland is constantly adding new places it seems and this one if definitely different from the others. Go check it out. Your taste buds will thank you, your arteries will hate you but you’ll love it. 
Average Browery 