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| - I lived in Cleveland Heights for most of my 20's and had a place like The BottleHouse Brewing Company been around I'd have probably frequented it quite often. It's got that 20-something not quite ready to be an adult vibe to it that I'm sure the kids are digging all over. I'm also happy to see that they've taken over the old Zagara's Marketplace building that sat empty for almost as long as I lived in the city. Overall, it's definitely a good thing but now that I'm entering my 40s, it'll probably only be a "once in awhile" kinda joint.
For starters, you've gotta know one thing. It's a place designed for the younger crowd. The atmosphere is sorta like being in someone's converted garage or basement with picnic tables for seating, a really small bar with stools for 8 people and some pinball machines. There's also a stage where they host live acts on the weekends. The huge windows, which basically occupy the entire front of the space, make for a very open, well-lit ambiance. They've also got board games, most of which have no instructions and are missing pieces, if that's your thing. Outside, their patio offers some al fresco options if you're so inclined.
As for the main reason I went here, the beer. BottleHouse Brewing Company started life with plans to be a brew-on-premise facility that served beer. Meaning, you went there to brew beer on their equipment. Plans change, as they often do, and they eventually morphed into what they are today, a craft brewer/meadery that serves only their house beers and meads on tap. They also bottle their beer (unfortunately they were sold out during our visit) and offer growler fills on site.
As per usual, I opted for a flight of all of their beers ($14). They had seven on tap that day. Overall, a pretty solid offering. With styles ranging from the omnipresent hefeweizen to an IPA which I found to be quite delicious. I wasn't immediately blown away by any of the beers in particular, but they were all quite good. My favorite, of which I ended up ordering another, was the Bier de Garde. I don't drink mead, find it too sweet, so I can't comment on that side. Bottom line, for the east side of Cleveland, this is pretty much your best - and only - option for fresh-brewed beer.
If you're looking for food, they've got that, too. A concise menu with sandwiches, grilled cheese and some other bar munchies all prepared in-house. I didn't sample any food so, again, no comments on the quality etc. of the edibles. I'm just happy to see that hey have grub at all. A tasting room without food is just a bar with good beer. Prices aren't bad with most of the items at or near the $10 mark.
The service side of things was a little strange. My wife and I walked in and no one really acknowledged that we were even there. No nod. No verbal hello. No nothing. There were only a few guys sitting at the bar so it's not like we got lost in the crowd. Oh well, I guess hospitality isn't mandatory as long as you brew good beer, right? I eventually geeked out a bit with one of the brewers/bartenders toward the end of our visit so it was all good.
It's nice to see a place like The BottleHouse Brewing Company bringing craft beer to their neighborhood. When it comes to breweries, they don't have very many options. With nine house beers, six house meads and a full bar I have no doubt they'll manage to succeed in the area. The college kids'll dig it, sure nuff. At least the ones willing to pay more than $3 for a pint will.
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