Brewery
Unclaimed profileGreat Lakes Brewing Company
Cleveland, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Great Lakes Brewing Company pairs a solid lineup of flagship and seasonal beers with a local spirits partnership. Dortmunder Gold Lager and Midwest IPA anchor a program that extends to cans, bottles, and kegs. The brewpub integrates beer into its menu and provides pairing suggestions. A single signature cocktail, aSPLASH, uses Watershed Distillery's Four Peel Gin, grapefruit, and orange, showing local collaboration. The venue's role as Official Craft Beer of Oktoberfest 2026 underscores its regional standing.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Dortmunder Gold Lager, a flagship that defines the brewery's character. For hop-forward tastes, the Midwest IPA delivers. Seasonal offerings like Oktoberfest appear when available. If you prefer a cocktail, aSPLASH, made with Watershed Four Peel Gin, grapefruit, and orange, offers a local twist. Beers are also available to take home in cans, bottles, or kegs.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the range of year-round and seasonal options, including flights for sampling. Those interested in local production will like the Watershed Distillery partnership. Visitors to Oktoberfest may recognize the brewery's official craft beer status. The beer-infused menu and pairing suggestions also attract food-minded drinkers.
- When should I go?
- Seasonal releases like Oktoberfest align with fall events, including Oktoberfest. Year-round beers remain available, but visiting during a seasonal release offers a chance to try limited offerings. The brewpub's pairing suggestions make any meal a good time to explore the beer list.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A dual focus on beer and local spirits sets this brewery apart. The aSPLASH cocktail showcases Watershed Distillery's Four Peel Gin, while the beer program earns recognition as the Official Craft Beer of Oktoberfest 2026. Beer-infused menu items and pairing suggestions integrate the brewery's products into the dining experience, reinforcing a self-contained beverage identity.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The cocktail program is minimal but notable for its local focus. ASPLASH, featuring Watershed Four Peel Gin, grapefruit, and orange, is the only documented cocktail. The partnership with an Ohio distillery adds credibility, though the program's breadth remains unverified.
Menu strengths
- — Partnership with Watershed Distillery for a signature cocktail
Standout selections
- — ASPLASH – Watershed Four Peel Gin, grapefruit, orange
Beer
A strong beer program with flagship and seasonal offerings, available in cans, bottles, and kegs. Flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager and Midwest IPA anchor the lineup. Official sponsorship of Oktoberfest 2026 and beer-infused menu items add distinction.
Menu strengths
- — Official Craft Beer of Oktoberfest 2026; Beer-infused menu items and pairing suggestions
- — Wide variety of beers and flights for tasting, as noted by customers
Standout selections
- — Dortmunder Gold Lager – flagship lager
- — Midwest IPA – flagship IPA; Oktoberfest – acclaimed seasonal
- — Midwest Hazy IPA – hazy IPA with pairing recipes
Spirits
Spirits evidence is limited to a partnership with Watershed Distillery, which produces Ohio's #1 selling bourbon and gin portfolios. The collaboration supports a signature cocktail, but no other spirits are documented.
How it sits with the food
Beer-infused menu items and pairing suggestions are available, indicating the kitchen and bar collaborate. The Midwest Hazy IPA comes with recipes for pairing, suggesting the brewery encourages thoughtful beer-and-food matches. Such integration elevates the beer program beyond simple drinking.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.