Tag: this is cle

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

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.

Spring Training Starting Yet?

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

The Red Sox won another title. Hey God, I know they didn’t win for almost a 100 years but I think that’s enough championships for one city for awhile, don’t you think?

Regardless, I miss baseball season already and since the Indians should be poised next year for another division title why not try to predict the opening day roster. The tribe (RIP Chief Wahoo) have some big free agent decisions to make, huge contract increases to make, and virtually no financial flexibility. Making any moves is going to be extremely difficult. This team is going to have to be replenished virtually from within. Unless they get creative and dump some salary and find someone cheap. I’m not counting on it.

So here we go. Let’s start with the pitchers. The starting staff first four will be easy. Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, and Clevinger make up the best 1-4 in baseball. That 5th spot could be open and I think they let Salazar takes that spot coming out of Spring Training. Now, I think Shane Bieber deserves it but I think they let Salazar start out as the 5.

The pen is where we have the most questions pitching wise. Brad Hand, Adam Cimber, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero and Neil Ramirez I think all make this staff. Nick Goody should be back from injury and I think makes it as well. That should leaves one more spot. Cody Anderson should finally be healthy as well and I think he gets that spot. It’s a very righty heavy pen but you make do with what you got.

In the field, you have Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez begins the plate. Yonder Alonso at first and Edwin at DH. Lindor is of course your SS and I’m going to put Jose at second. Which means Yandy Diaz will finally be your regular everyday third basemen. Erik González once again is your utility infielder. That’s 8 guys. The tribe will carry 5 outfielders. In center, I think they let Leonys have that. Jason Kipnis becomes a permanent outfielder and does it in left because no one wants that contract. Then in right you have Tyler Naquin. The fourth is Greg Allen and the 5th guy is going to be a wildcard here. I think Oscar Mercado the player they traded for from St. Louis makes the roster.

So here it is.

Starting Pithcers (5): Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, Clevinger, Salazar

Bullpen (7): Hand, Cimber, Olson, Goody, Otero, Anderson, Ramirez

Catchers (2): Gomes, Perez

Infield (6): Alonso, Edwin, Frankie, Jose, Yandy, González

Outfield (5): Martin, Kipnis, Allen, Naquin, Mercado

Now, they could sign some veterans for cheap deals or make a move no one is expecting, but for now this is the roster I expect the Indians to open up the season with.

Filled to the BRIM

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

East side vs west side. Each part of Cleveland has a very distinct feel and culture. Sometimes, it is hard to believe they are the same metropolitan area. While I am a West sider, I do venture on over to the East side often where my girlfriend lives.

Saturday night, we went out with friends to BRIM Kitchen & Brewery in Willoughby. While I had quickly stopped in once before for a drink while killing a few minutes, this was my first time really sitting down to enjoy the place.

BRIM is located just passed the main portion of Downtown Willoughby. The inside is very modern and has that clean, slick feel to it. The brewery process is visible behind the bar as well.

I tried a couple of the beers BRIM had on tap that night as we grabbed dinner. They had a real interesting Christmas Fruit beer called Mr. Kringle and a pretty decent light blonde ale called the Brim Less. Both were solid, though nothing blew me away from a beer standpoint.

For dinner, I had the Sunday Gravy and a side of mac and cheese. The Sunday Gravy red sauce was definitely the best part of my meal. I cleaned the plate for your reference.

Overall, the place is solid. It was busy throughout and has a good ambiance. Nothing blew me away but no complaints either. Solid experience sums it up perfectly.

New Dog in The Flats

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

Thirsty Dog is by no means a new brewery. They have been around awhile, brewing many different styles and making some of the best Christmas ale beer around. Recently they just opened up a new spot in The Flats Eastbank in Cleveland.

This location takes over for one of the vacant crop locations that was down there. This is a fairly large space with tables and an indoor and out door bar area. Now, the beer here is true to Thirsty Dog form. With about thirty different taps, there is really something for everyone. Plenty of barrel aged varieties and the traditional Thirsty Dog beers as well. The new taproom has great service, we quickly got seated and our waiter was great throughout the night. I will say the food could still use some work but it was overall pretty good. I had the Mac and cheese and we started with the beer cheese chips. Little more cheese on the chips please. The barrel aged Christmas ale is great one. Stick to one though, it will put you on your ass.

Thirsty dog is a welcomed addition to Cleveland as most people here are already familiar with the beer and their new location should do well in the well talked about revitalized east bank. Cleveland can’t seem to get enough beer.

It’s Hoppin’

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, Brewery, RestaurantsLeave a comment

I know it’s a terrible pun for a title playing off the brewery’s name. Just ignore it.

Last week, my buddy and I visited Hoppin’ Frog Brewery in Akron, Ohio. This place has been brewing for a decade and has had their taproom open for a few years now. I just had not made my way down yet.

The amount of different beers this place makes is impressive, especially for a place this size. My friend and I tried a variety of their different fall type beers on tap and their famous B.O.R.I.S. Pretty pleased with everything we tried. Quite the variety at this place. I think that is by far the most impressive quality of the place. Just how many different beers they brew and brew well, along with the different barrel aged varieties. The place is a little hard to see from the side of the road but make the trip down, or up, to Akron and check it out. They have something for everyone.

On the Tracks

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, BreweryLeave a comment

There are kind of two strategies when it comes to picking the location of your brewery, restaurant or other entertainment spot. You can either try to tap an area with few challengers or you can go to where the foot traffic is. In Cleveland, we saw Portside close at least partly due to their location. Railroad Brewing Company decided to open up in the ever growing suburb of Avon, Ohio. Avon is by no means a brewery hotbed like Ohio City but with a couple of wineries, another brewery and plenty of suburb dwellers that may be looking for a spot not too far from home, it could be a great location for them. It can provide the traffic needed without being lost in the shuffle.

Railroad is a taproom only but you’re welcome to bring your own food in. It is a big open space with a bar and picnic tables that opens up to the outside. They have a large outdoor space surrounding their building which I think could lead to some exciting events in the future. Plus they are dog friendly.

The beer was pretty interesting and provided very unique flavors. The B.O.B., a blood orange Blonde Ale, was very flavorful but not overpowering. It was easy to drink and would be great on a summer day. I also tried the collaboration beer for Cleveland Beer Week and enjoyed that one as well. This tap room is a nice addition to the West Side and to the ever growing Cleveland beer scene. A growing beer scene that never seems to stop.