Tag: cleveland

Suburban Brew Sprawl

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Restaurants1 Comment

While in recent years across the country, we have seen a retreat from a suburban sprawl. Millennials have moved into the cities and gentrification has happened as soon as the hipsters find a new run down neighborhood to move into. While this has happened we have also seen breweries pop up left and right.

There are  two places new breweries pop up. Go where the foot traffic is and try to stand out among the crowd.  Or pick a new location and pave your own path. Both ways can work and it really comes down to the beer you make, service your provide, and atmosphere you create.

Avon Brewing Company launched a few months ago out in the suburb of Avon, Ohio. This is away from the downtown brewery scene that adds a brewery faster than a teenage girl adds Instgram pics.

While I love a good beer, I also am a giant child and love mac and cheese. Avon Brewing has one of the best mac and cheese dishes around. Great choice with the shells and the perfect amount of cheese. Top 5 mac and cheeses I have had and trust me I have eaten a lot of mac and cheese.

Another great thing about this brewery is that they just don’t serve their beers. It takes a brewer that not only believes in their product but believes in beer as a whole to serve guest beers at their place. Sometimes people want some other variety than the 5 or 6 beers many smaller brewers have and I think having guest beers is a great addition. This brewer realizes their beer can still stand out among others. Some brewers are afraid of the risk that their beer may not get selected every time but if people know they have choices I think they are more likely to return and hang out longer. I commend Avon for that decision. Overall, Avon Brewing is a great experience a little way away from the typical brewery spaces throughout the Cleveland area. Perfect for when you need a break from the downtown environment but still want a good beer.

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Big Beers, Big Taste

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, BreweryLeave a comment

I firmly believe more beer is always better. Hansa Brewery is one of the many places that came onto the Cleveland beer scene in 2016. Located in Ohio City, it is a European style brewery with European food as well. The potato pancake were delicious.

I digress, let’s get back to the beer. Like many European style breweries, think Hofbrauhaus, they serve the large liter and half liter size beers that are standard in the European style breweries. The prices were extremely reasonable for these beers and very refreshing. They make a very drinkable beer there even for those that are not as big into the beer scene but like to tag along with the craft beer enthusiasts. Or maybe dragged along as I sometimes do with my girlfriend as I want to try out more places. Nevertheless, its got something there for everyone.

This European style brewery is a great addition to Cleveland and Ohio City. The fresh and clean atmosphere attached to the little European grocery store next door, that has been around much longer than the brewery, is sure to continue to be a Cleveland staple. img_1544

Whiskey and Beer in Cle

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Distillery, Restaurants, whiskeyLeave a comment

The Cleveland Brewery Scene is growing rapidly. Cleveland Scene just wrote a large article about it. It’s a well done article you can read here. While there may or may not be a bubble, it is great for the beer lovers of Cleveland that so many places keep popping up. A few weeks ago I visited Portside Distillery and Brewery for the first time. This place has been open since 2015 but I had yet to stop in.

What makes this place unique in Cleveland is that they not only brew beer but they are a distillery. Not many places out there do both. That is a nice addition to the traditional brewery. They have a good variety of beers and the pretzels were pretty good as well. This location near the water is pretty spacious and when I went on a Sunday afternoon provided a good laid back spot to have a Sunday Funday. Once thing I do regret not trying was the whiskey but it does give me a reason to go back and try it again.

Platform Brewery: Small Batch Brews

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, BreweryLeave a comment

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.

It’s Basically October: Go to Oktoberfest

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, BreweryLeave a comment

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

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, FitnessLeave a comment

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?

Wade, Durant, and the Crazed Events Surrounding NBA Free Agency

On By Chris ElliottIn BasketballLeave a comment

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.

Why Cleveland?

On By Chris ElliottIn BasketballLeave a comment

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

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, FitnessLeave a comment

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

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

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. bhb