The first in the Land
With 28 years of craft brewing experience, Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) knows beer. Determined to bring the brewing tradition back to Cleveland, co-owners Pat and Dan Conway opened the doors to Ohio’s first craft brewery—and inspired a movement in their home state. Most importantly, they did so with an emphasis on community and sustainability.
Approaching their new business with a “take, make, remake” mentality, Pat and Dan settled in Cleveland’s then dilapidated Ohio City neighborhood across from the historic West Side Market. They “repurposed” buildings to create the brewpub and production brewery. Visit and you’ll find relics from a past life, like the taproom’s historic and ornate Tiger Mahogany bar. By brewing award-winning beers in Ohio City, Pat and Dan helped transform their neighborhood into a vibrant destination and innovative craft beer hub.
The pub’s rotating tap list showcases Pub Brewer Steve Forman’s latest creations, brewed in GLBC’s original 7-barrel brewpub. The most popular offerings get promoted to package, such as new seasonal brews Turntable Pilsner and Steady Rollin’ Session IPA. You’ll even find many of GLBC’s pub exclusive, barrel-aged brews and unique firkins throughout the brewery’s expanding distribution footprint.
“Sharing our small batch creations with customers is exciting.” says GLBC Sales Rep Scott Hetrick. “We love bringing a special taste of our brewpub to them and getting face-to-face feedback on new beers.”
Over 100,000 guests visited GLBC in 2015, all waited on by an exceptional staff, from servers and bartenders to tour guides. Beyond the brewpub, GLBC employees are passionate brand ambassadors known for earning loyal customers just by sharing their enthusiasm for GLBC’s story, culture and beers.
After nearly three decades, GLBC aims to share award-winning, balanced, and innovative beers with the customers they serve, from the most discerning drinker to the craft beer first-timer. Fortunately, they’ve found that some of the most passionate and inspiring craft beer lovers happen to live right where it all started: Ohio.
