Tag: Ohio

Interesting Name:Crooked Pecker

On By Chris ElliottIn BreweryLeave a comment

Chagrin Falls is one of the nicest towns in North East Ohio. I don’t go often, but it’s always enjoyable when I do. Over there, is Crooked Pecker Brewing Company. This was my first visit. It’s a interesting name obviously, but they had a couple solid brews that I tried out.

Tucked into a industrial shop a few minutes from downtown Chargin Falls, the brewery made a pretty solid Hazy IPA and lager as well. I preferred the Hazy IPA though. The place is on the smaller side and was pretty full that day. The bartender was personable, even tried to get my fiancé who hates beer to try it. I would definitely stop in again.

Lakewood’s First Brewery

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

Living in Lakewood, OH I would have expected a brewery here by now. It’s filled with flannel wearing, bearded dudes in their late 20s/30s. This place was made for a brewery. Well finally, Lakewood has one.

Last week, I went for dinner at Immigrant Son Brewing, Lakewood’s first Brewery. The place was packed. Clearly, a lot of people were excited to try this out. With it just opening up, I was curious to see how the beer turned out. This place has been a couple years in the making in an old grocery store and some hiccups delayed the opening (covid) but they hit it out of the park. Fantastic beers and great food. The Common Ale and the PerZverance were delicious beers. The PerZverance is a partnership with Cavs legend Zydrunas Illgauskas. It’s an IPA that is really well done. Perfect for all the IPA dudes I described above (I’m one of them). If you go though, you have to get the fried dough. I could eat that every day. I’m so excited to keep going back there and to have a brewery in my town. A great addition to our great beer scene in Cleveland.

Cornerstone Brewing

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

Cornerstone Brewing Company has been a long standing establishment in Berea, Ohio, located just 20 minutes from my house. Yet, Saturday was my first trip. Not sure what took me so long.

I have been wanting to try this place out for some time and I finally made the effort to. We stopped in for dinner and some beer. Not only was the food very good (try the pretzel), but the beer was delicious. I was really pleased with both the Erie Blu (fruit beer) and the Seven (IPA). Both had great flavor, but I’d say I prefer the Seven. A really strong rendition of an IPA. I really enjoyed their take of a West Coast style blended with an East Coast style IPA. Additionally, Berea had a nice little downtown that I would go back to. An underrated city and brewery.

2021 Tribe Roster Prediction

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

It’s January, Cleveland pretty much does not see sun for months, and the Indians finally traded away their generational star talent at Shortstop and I have had time to process that loss. I feel like its a great time for an early 2021 Indians Roster Prediction.

There is still so much uncertainty with baseball for next year but I am going to operate under the assumption that there will a full season and they will play with a 26 man roster. The cloud of Lindor’s impending trade finally cleared and with his departure he took Carlos Carrasco with him. The payroll is just above the minimum possible level. There are a lot of names people are not super familiar with on this roster, but there is still some talent, especially in the rotation. Let’s get into it.

Let’s start with easiest piece, Starting Pitching. The Indians will live and die with the rotation. These guys are studs up and down the rotation except for maybe Plutko. The other options here are Cal Quantril, Scott Moss, & Logan Allen.

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Zach Plesac
  3. Aaron Civale
  4. Triston McKenzie
  5. Adam Plutko

Next up, the Bullpen. Tito loves arms. I will carry 8 here, but I could easily see 7. Gose is my surprise pick here. If he can get his control in order, he could be electric. Scott Moss, Logan Allen, and Kyle Nelson all have good shots at making this pen too.

  1. Emmanuel Clase
  2. James Karinchak
  3. Nick Wittgren
  4. Cal Quantril
  5. Phil Maton
  6. Anthony Gose
  7. Trevor Stephan
  8. Can Hill

Another strength of this team: Catchers.

  1. Roberto Perez
  2. Austin Hedges

This next section has a lot of questions. They have a potential MVP candidate but also lost the franchise player here. Who plays first base is unknown. Additionally, I could see Tito carrying one less guy in the field here and having another pitcher up. A lot of guys here can play many positions which should give them roster flexibility. Do not be surprised if Jake Bauers somehow finds his way on this roster as he is out of options. Nolan Jones will be up once as the service time manipulation is done too.

  1. Jose Ramirez
  2. Ahmed Rosario
  3. Andres Gimenez
  4. Yu Chang
  5. Bobbie Bradley
  6. Josh Naylor
  7. Franmil Reyes
  8. Oscar Mercado
  9. Daniel Johnson
  10. Jordan Luplow
  11. Bradley Zimmer

Beer in Amish Country

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Restaurants, Trips, vacationsLeave a comment

I went down to Amish country on Saturday where I gorged myself on four plates filled with fried chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, noodles and enchiladas at Mrs. Yoder’s kitchen. Surprisingly the Amish like Mexican food. Did not see that one coming.

After that, we stopped at Millersburg Brewing Company. Located in downtown Millerburg, which for those that don’t know is the county seat of Holmes County Ohio. Knowledge is power.

The brewery is in an old brick building and maintains a lot of the building’s character from the exposed brick to the old bar top. The food menu appears delicious but after my Amish buffet destruction I don’t think I could fit any more food in my belly. However, we always have room for beer.

I went with a beer flight to give myself a good variety since I knew I was not going to be able to down multiple full beers at this point. All 4 tastings were very good, but I have to say the Edgy Elf was my favorite. A sweet winter warmer beer that they even put cinnamon on the beer flight glass. That was a nice touch.

The other beers I tried included Belouded (NEIPA), Jolene Jolie (Red Ale), and Haskins 1819 (Blackberry Tart) and were all really solid beers that I would have again. It’s a bit of a drive for me from Cleveland, but I would definitely go here again and would like to sooner rather than later.

Wuh-Ster Day Trip

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

Personally, I think this pronunciation of Wooster, Ohio is idiotic. It should be Woo!-Ster like a drunk girl shouting at a bar. However, the locals prefer the WUH so I’ll roll with it.

This past Saturday we took a day trip down to Wooster and walked around the town, had a burger and indulged in some beverages. Traveling during the Covid, is weird. A day trip is easy enough and Ohio has a lot to offer.

First off we visited Muddy’s where I had the cheesiest of cheese burgers. If you have a lactose sensitivity, stay away.

After Muddy’s, the main reason for this trip was to visit the JAFB taproom. Just Another Fucking Brewery, is a pretty spacious taproom and I was able to try several brews. My favorite of the ones I had was the Hefeweizen, though the Summer Forever (New England IPA) was very good as well. The Hefeweizen is a good solid rendition of this beer style with just enough banana taste. I really enjoyed this one. I was told after that I need to try the Apricot one, so next time I’ll give that one a taste.

After the brewery, we had two more stops to make. First off was Minglewood Distilling Company. I am by no means an expert on bourbon but I’m starting to get into it more. They had a variety of alcohols and I did a tasting. I wish the tours were open but again the virus got in the way. I picked up a bottle of the bourbon to take home. Then one last stop at Hartzlers Dairy Farm for some ice cream. Perfect dessert to end the day.

Brewery 33

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, Trips, vacationsLeave a comment

This will be a quick post. I really don’t have a lot to say because I wasn’t there long and only had one beer. Took a few days to head down to Hocking Hills down in Southern Ohio. I love a good hike and with all the craziness out there in the world, it was good to get away from it all.

It wasn’t my first trip to Hocking Hills but it was my first visit to Brewery 33. Named after the main road through Logan, Ohio. I stopped in for a growler and went with the Gateway Gose. It was a solid beer and nothing spectacular. Wasn’t bad, just seemed to have almost no carbonation.

The brewery itself was small inside from what I saw, but that could have been I just didn’t walk around enough. They did look to have a nice little outdoor spot. Bartender was great, very friendly and helpful. I would like to get back there at some point when I can actually sit down and enjoy the place.

Saturday Brew Quest

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, BreweryLeave a comment

Well winter is here and now I dread that 15 minutes each morning while my dog decides where to take a shit. While that is miserable, one way to pass the winter blues is to drink.

Saturday my girlfriend, myself and a few of her friends hopped around Ohio City knocking some of the various breweries off the Cleveland Brewery passport. Now, I have been to most of them before but our second stop of the day I had not been to prior to this day of alcohol bliss. Bad Tom Smith is actually a Cincinnati brewery and the Ohio City location is just a taproom, but it still counts here.

The location is right at the northern end of that strip that is populated by more breweries now than hipsters. Bad Tom Smith has a few solid beers that I tried. The Jackson Hustler was my favorite there that day. A delicious, easy drinking Belgian Wit. The taproom is a nice little spot, quieter than most of Ohio City which can be a nice change of pace. Plus, with cold dreary weather in full force here why not have a few more beers. Got to get that hibernation weight up.

Chief Wahoo’s 2019 Roster

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

I’m going to refer to the Cleveland Indians as the Wahoos as much as possible this year to honor the greatest mascot there ever was. Long live the Chief.

Spring training is here and the Wahoos have as many people in camp as mainland China has residents. It feels like every player who was without a contract that has seen MLB service time in the last decade got a minor league deal with an invite to camp from the Wahoos. I have heard Roger Clemens still has some life on his fastball. The front office should check to see if he wants to give it another go.

Trying to figure out who will make this team out of camp is pretty crazy. Lindor’s injury added another twist to it, but for this I’m going to assume he makes it out of camp healthy because even if he does not, it won’t be long before he is back.

One thing for certain is the rotation is set.

1. Kluber

2. Carrasco

3. Bauer

4. Clevinger

5. Bieber

The infield will consist of Roberto Perez, Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. That’s ten spots gone right off the bat. Then we get Brad Hand as our closer. You’ll probably see the Indians carry 7-8 relief pitchers. My guess is Dan Otero, Nick Goody, Adam Cimber and Oliver Perez all make it. I think Nick Wittgren makes it as does Tyler Clippard. Giving us 7 relief pitchers. I know I am righty heavy but this team needs lots of bat diversity. The extra spot is needed in the outfield.

8 spots to go and we still need an outfield. Really we need an outfield. Anyone else want a camp invite from the Wahoos? Well how about that backup catcher spot first. I think that goes to Kevin Plawecki. Sorry to Haase and Navarro. 7 spots.

Leonys Martin, Tyler Naquin, Jordan Luplow, Greg Allen, Jake Bauers and Matt Joyce. It’s a lot of outfield bats but Bauers can play first as well. Leaving one utility infield spot. This will be Ryan Flaherty. The veteran beats out the young Max Moroff. There you go. The opening day Cleveland Indians. No way Hanley Ramirez’s fat ass makes this team.

New (Old) Look Tribe

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

The Indians have done a lot of remodeling lately and unlike my garage door that has fallen off, this doesn’t look so bad.

The Tribe said goodbye to Yan Gomes, Edwin Encarnacion, Yonder Alonso and Yandy Diaz and welcomed back Carlos Santana as well as picked up two young guys Jake Bauers and Alex Call.

Now, Call is still a very young prospect. He isn’t major league ready. Bauer’s is though and played quite a bit last year in Tampa. He is young with power potential and some rankings had him as a top 50 prospect in baseball just a year ago. With him and Santana in Cleveland, that enabled the Indians the flexibility to ship Alonso’s contract out of Cleveland. Santana doesn’t have Edwin’s HR numbers but he actually has a better WAR. He can play competent first base and his contract is obviously less. Coupled with the fact that I think the Indians can see Edwin aging, this was a good trade.

For Yan, that was a pure contract dump. I was about as pleased with that move as I was when my dog ate my bathroom door. Eric Haase and Roberto Perez both better be ready quick. Can’t afford a let down at the catcher position.

I think the thing these trades do best is free up cash. If the Indians don’t add a decent outfield bat in the $6 million to $9 million range from these cash savings, then I believe these end up as trades that make the team worse. However, I’m optimistic the front office will get that done. Time will tell though. But for now, Welcome Back Slamtana!