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| - Wow, going here last weekend was really great, and it brought back the memories.
When I was a young man, just turned 21, I worked for a cable station as a camera man, and got to cover the restaurant just before it opened (even got one of my first beers there, right from the pigtail of their first brewing vats.) Heck, I remember that the place was so new, they hadn't even placed the cobblestones in the street out front, it was still gravel!
Now, the Great Lakes Brewing Company is a Cleveland institution, and deservedly so.
Creating amazing beers like their "Elliot Ness" and "Edmund Fitzgerald" (two of my favorites,) the Brewing Company has gone from a small, craft beer-type business, to the biggest brewery of its kind in Cleveland. They do a great tour of their facility, just round the corner from the restaurant, and it was fun. You also, for the modest fee of a quarter, get to sample some of their fine libations. Our tour guide was funny and genial, and he knew his stuff. The plant is a marvel of technology, and I had no idea so much could fit in such a small space. It's really a must to check the place out if you can (tour dates and time are listed on their website, so check it out:)
The restaurant was good, but busy. Many tourists and other folks come down just for the a beer and the bragging rights, but you really should check out the food.
One cool thing we learned was that the grain used to make the beer is ALSO used to make the breads and especially the AMAZING pretzels served in the restaurant. A taste that my wife and I really enjoyed. Our server, a fine young lady named Katie, did a great job taking care of us and was very knowledgeable. BTW, a warning; if you get the chicken sandwich with the honey chipotle sauce, GET LOTS OF WATER, that sauce is great but it's HOT:)
The place was a bit loud, but I think that was due to the number of people there (A busy Saturday,) and parking was a bit tough. There are lots a short jog away if you get stuck for a parking spot, and decently priced too.
All in all, if you want to brew up a taste experience, with a little education on the side, check out the famous Great Lakes Brewing Company, you'll be happy you did:)
(Now, if they were only hiring;)
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