Here's the OH beer we can't get in IL (via Seekabrew). Dunno how current it is... Chi_Dave> Any advice?
Probably won't be checking bags though, and shipping a case in January sounds like a box of freeze pops.
Might check out a store just to browse the selection...
My thoughts on the ones that I've had...
Actual - skip, brewery closed not too long ago when the owner/brewer groped a bunch of women, I think a few shops are still trying to clear inventory
Brew Dog USA [Draft only] - eh, it's brewed south of Columbus so it's pretty fresh, but most are pretty average
Brew Kettle - should be everywhere in Cleveland. White Raja is a great west coast style IPA, El Lupelo is the imperial version and really good
Columbus [Limited] - my favorite local, any from their IPA line up are great - Bodhi is year round now and Creeper is brewed 3 or 4 times a year. Not sure on Cleveland area availability
Elevator - SKIP
Erie - meh
Fat Head's - always a safe bet, Head Hunter is great, Hop Juju is hard to find but great
Four String Brewing Company - I think they only have their Hilltop Lager contract brewed. Good lawn mower beer.
Homestead - small but decent brewery east of Columbus, not worth seeking out
Hoof Hearted [Limited] - king of the Ohio hype train right now. Not sure of availability in Cleveland though.
Ithaca - Flower Power is good but not worth seeking out
Jackie O's - I think they should be available in Cleveland and worth seeking out. Any of the barrel aged stuff is wonderful. They should have Champion Ground available.
Kindred Beer [Limited] - meh
Lager Heads Brewing Company [Limited] - meh
Land Grant Brewing Company [Limited] - meh+
Listermann [Limited] - mostly a hype brewery, good NE IPAs though. I think it's a Cincy brewery and we get very little in Columbus, so I doubt there would be much in Cleveland
Little Fish Brewing Company - really solid sours from Athens OH (same city as Jackie O's), but I don't know about Cleveland distro
Mad Tree - solid IPAs but nothing too crazy
Maumee Bay - eh
Mt Carmel [Limited] - skip
North High - meh
Nowhere in Particular - very random batch brewery, when they are good they are really good, but very rarely brews the same batch
Perrin - meh, they entered the Ohio market a while ago and was pretty underwhelming
Pigskin Brewing - skip
Platform Beer Company - most polarizing Ohio brewery right now, it will be everywhere in Cleveland... just bought out by inbev a few months ago. Good NE IPAs and fruity sours.
Put-In-Bay Brewing Company [Draft only] - meh
Rhinegeist - ok
Rivertowne Brewing - trying hard but just not there
Rockmill Brewing - small farm brewery in southeast OH, focus on Belgians. Decent.
Seventh Son [Limited] - I like their hoppier stuff
Sideswipe - meh
Spencer - this is that American abbey brewery, it's ok
Terrapin - Atlanta brewery that is everywhere but pretty average
Thirsty Dog - eh, their barrel aged stuff is pretty good - Siberian Night, Wulver. Not as good as Jackie O's but still solid.
Troegs - PA brewery, Mad Elf is super popular and pretty good if it is still available.
Warped Wing - it seems to be everywhere in Ohio, but average to below average for the most part
Weyerbacher - another PA brewery that is almost all meh
Wolf's Ridge Brewing [Limited] - not sure on Cleveland distro, but their stout Dire Wolf is decent and any variations you might find on tap are really good
Yellow Springs [Limited] - unfortunately they dialed their distro way back. If you find it on tap, it's pretty good, especially Boat Show.
Yuengling - I mean, if you have to drink something...
I'm surprised Masthead isn't on this list. Worth seeking out if you have time.
