Great Lakes Brewing Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Patrick Conway, Daniel Conway |
| Headquarters | Cleveland , United States |
Area served | Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Southeast Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Syracuse (New York), New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington D.C., New York City (since 2023) |
| Products | Beer (various year-round and seasonal brews), hard seltzer |
Great Lakes Brewing Company operates as both a brewery and brewpub situated in Cleveland, Ohio. Established in 1988 by siblings Patrick and Daniel Conway, alumni of St. Edward High School, it holds the distinction of being Ohio’s inaugural brewpub and microbrewery. The business is positioned in the Ohio City district near the West Side Market and has significantly contributed to the neighborhood’s resurgence while influencing Cleveland’s cultural identity.
By 2015, Great Lakes Brewing had achieved the status of the 21st-largest craft brewery by production volume and ranked 28th among all breweries across the United States. The original brewpub and dining establishment continue to function on Market Avenue, with production facilities expanding into nearby buildings to accommodate increased demand.
The premises incorporate historic features such as a Tiger Mahogany bar dating back to the 1860s, a dedicated Beer Cellar, and the Rockefeller Room—named after John D. Rockefeller, who is said to have worked in this building. Visitors can also explore a retail area selling branded apparel and beer products, along with weekend tours designed to engage patrons.
In addition to its brewing operations, Great Lakes Brewing fosters Northeast Ohio’s craft beer scene by mentoring brewers who have gone on to establish Market Garden Brewery and Goldhorn Brewery in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior area. This role as an industry incubator reinforces its competitive position and impact within the regional craft beer market.
Distribution
As of 2023, Great Lakes Brewing Company’s distribution primarily covers Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, while also reaching markets in Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Southeast Michigan, Indiana, extending westward to Minnesota and Wisconsin, southward into Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, as well as eastward toward Syracuse, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.. The company entered the New York City market in October 2023.
Year-round
| Beer | Pack | % ABV | IBU | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dortmunder Gold Lager | 6, 12, 15 (bottles, 12 oz. & 19.2 oz. cans) |
5.8 | 30 | This award-winning Dortmunder-style lager is Great Lakes Brewing’s first and top-selling beer, initially called "The Heisman" in honor of Cleveland-born football icon. |
| Cold Rush Premium Light Lager | 12 (12 oz. cans) |
4.0 | N/A | A light-bodied lager with only 100 calories per 12-ounce serving, designed for easy drinking. |
| Midwest IPA | 6, 12 (12 oz. & 19.2 oz. cans) |
7.0 | 45 | An India pale ale featuring a balanced hop profile, promoted as the "unofficial IPA of Midwest Nice." |
| Midwest Hazy IPA | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
6.5 | 40 | A hazy IPA showcasing moderate hop intensity. |
| Vibacious Double IPA | 6 (12 oz. & 19.2 oz cans) |
9.0 | 40 | A double IPA characterized by smoothness and pronounced hoppiness. |
| Juicy Vibacious Double IPA | 6 (12 oz. & 19.2 oz cans) |
9.5 | 40 | A juicy take on the smooth double IPA variant. |
| Edmund Fitzgerald Porter | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 oz. cans) |
6.0 | 37 | Named after the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, this porter is recognized for its stylistic accuracy by the Beer Judge Certification Program. |
| Commodore Perry IPA | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 oz. cans) |
7.7 | 70 | A British-style IPA paying tribute to naval hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry from the War of 1812. |
| Eliot Ness Amber Lager | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 oz. cans) |
6.1 | 27 | An amber lager named after Eliot Ness, renowned prohibition agent and Cleveland Public Safety Director who had historical connections to this brewpub location. |
Seasonal
| Beer | Pack | % ABV | IBU | Availability | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conway's Irish Ale | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 oz. cans) |
6.3 | 25 | January | An Irish ale crafted to honor Saint Patrick's Day, bearing the name of Patrick Conway, grandfather to founders Patrick and Daniel Conway. |
| Conway's Irish Stout | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
4.8 | 40 | January | A robust Irish stout dedicated to Patrick Conway. |
| Easy Buckets Blonde | 12 (12 oz. & 19.2 oz. cans) |
4.5 | 10 | January | Blonde ale created in collaboration with the Cleveland Cavaliers, offered at home games and select regional retailers. |
| Bourbon Barrel Imperial Porter | 4 (16 oz. cans) |
12.5 | N/A | March | An imperial porter matured in bourbon barrels. |
| Strawberry Pineapple Wheat | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
5.5 | 17 | March | Wheat ale infused with strawberry and pineapple flavors. |
| Blackout Stout Imperial Stout | 4 (bottles) |
9.9 | 50 | April | Imperial stout commemorating the 2003 Northeast blackout event. |
| Mexican Lager with Lime | 6, 12 (12 oz. cans) |
5.4 | 20 | April | Mexican-style lager brewed with a hint of lime. |
| Bourbon Barrel Rye | 4 (16 oz. cans) |
11.6 | N/A | May | Rye ale aged in bourbon barrels for enhanced flavor. |
| Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
5.0 | N/A | June | Hard seltzer featuring cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavors inspired by the classic Bomb Pop; selectively available in Cleveland. |
| 73 Kolsch | 12 (12 oz. & 19.2 oz. cans) |
5.7 | 20 | July | Kolsch-style ale brewed in partnership with former Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas; distributed regionally. |
| Oktoberfest | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 oz. cans) |
6.5 | 20 | August | Märzenbier celebrating Cleveland’s German cultural roots. |
| Cran Orange Wheat | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
5.5 | 17 | September | Wheat ale brewed with cranberry and orange accents. |
| Cookie Exchange Milk Stout | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
5.5 | 15 | October | Milk stout enhanced with peanut butter and chocolate; features rotating cookie-inspired flavors (2024 edition: peanut butter blossom). |
| Christmas Ale | 6, 12 (bottles, 12 &16 oz. cans) |
7.5 | 30 | October | Spiced ale brewed with honey; first introduced in 1992 and ranks as GLBC’s second top seller during the holiday season. |
| Barrel Aged Christmas Ale | 4 (16 oz. cans) |
8.0 | 30 | October | The popular Christmas Ale aged for six months in bourbon barrels. |
| Barrel Aged Blackout Stout | 4 (16 oz. cans) |
12.5 | 50 | November | Bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout commemorating the blackout event. |
Double Feature IPA series
Initiated in 2024, GLBC's Double Feature IPA collection consists of four potent double IPAs.
| Beer | Pack | % ABV | IBU | Availability | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chillwave Double IPA | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
9.0 | 80 | January | A double IPA paying homage to surfers on Lake Erie. |
| Return of the Lake Erie Monster Double IPA | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
9.5 | 65 | April | Named after Bessie, the mythical creature of Lake Erie lore. |
| Spacewalker Hazy Double IPA | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
8.0 | 70 | June | A hazy-style double IPA. |
| Nosferatu Double Red IPA | 6 (12 oz. cans) |
8.0 | 70 | August | Red double IPA inspired by the classic film Nosferatu from 1922. |
Variety assortments
Great Lakes Brewing Company provides a consistent 12-can "Mix Pack" throughout the year, containing three cans each of Strawberry Pineapple Wheat, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Cold Rush Light Lager, and Midwest IPA.
The "Hop Madness" IPA selection includes Midwest Hazy IPA, Midwest IPA, Vibacious Double IPA, along with a unique Small Batch IPA available only in this pack. Seasonal offerings feature a Holiday Pack that showcases Christmas Ale and Cookie Exchange Milk Stout.
Exclusive pub offerings
Several beers are brewed exclusively for GLBC’s brewpub and restaurant locations. Certain brews that were once widely distributed, such as Holy Moses White Ale and Turntable Pils, have transitioned to being available solely at the pub.
Sustainability
Great Lakes Brewing Company embeds sustainability deeply within its operational framework through various initiatives. These include repurposing promotional materials into heating fuel, implementing Cleveland’s pioneering straw-bale building techniques, composting food waste from its restaurant, and prioritizing local and organic food sourcing. Additionally, barley byproducts are provided to area farmers and bakers, fostering support for local agriculture.
The brewery’s delivery vehicles run on biodiesel produced from recycled vegetable oil collected from its restaurants. Solar energy is harnessed to preheat water used in brewing processes, while natural outside air cools the facilities during colder seasons—both measures contributing to reduced energy consumption and environmental footprint.
GLBC also demonstrates its dedication by hosting Entrepreneurs for Sustainability gatherings—a business network in Greater Cleveland focused on promoting sustainable enterprise. The company actively engages in events centered on sustainability, including Ohio State University’s greener living fair and the green pavilion at the Cleveland Home and Garden Show.
These sustainability efforts strengthen GLBC’s market position by combining operational efficiency with environmental stewardship, thereby enhancing its brand image among target consumers.
Sports partnerships
Since 2022, GLBC has served as the official craft beer partner of the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA). Prior to this role, it was the official craft brewery for the Cleveland Guardians (MLB) from 2019 until 2023.