
Evidence shows beer dates back to prehistoric times. While America has embraced this popular beverage since colonial days, beer has come a long way since then, and Cleveland is regularly named on lists of the country's top cities for brew.
Monday, September 7 is both Labor Day and National Beer Lover's Day. Could there be a more appropriate time to visit one of these great breweries around Northeast Ohio?
17450 Engle Lake Dr., Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
View this post on Instagram
While Fat Head's was founded in Pittsburgh, its flagship location is now in Middleburg Heights, where they opened a full-scale production brewery in 2012. The Cleveland area was so welcoming and supportive that Fat Head's added a beer hall and restaurant six years later. A menu of upscale bar food favorites such as Wagyu beef chili dogs goes well with dozens of Fat Head's craft beers on tap. Patio seating is available for those beautiful summer days in Northeast Ohio.
1707 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
After learning the brewing business in Denver, one of the hubs of the craft beer explosion, Ali and Jon Hovan returned to their home town to open HiHO Brewing Co. The brand name is a tip of the hat to the mountain region where the idea was born, along with a shout-out to Ohio pride. The taproom features 11 HiHO beers on tap as well as a menu of pizza, charcuterie, and snacks. Place your order at the bar and seat yourself inside or on the pet-friendly patio.
1844 Columbus Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113
View this post on Instagram
When you visit Brick and Barrel Brewing, don't be surprised if you find yourself chatting with owner Karl Spiesman. After several years serving in the Coast Guard, Karl decided to pursue his passion for good beer and wine by opening the type of brewpub where he would want to hang out. Karl's sense of humor shows in draft names such as Billy Kristalweizen and Rally Possum. Raise a glass while watching the Indians or Browns, or bring Fido and sit outside at one of the shaded picnic tables.
1947 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
Conveniently located next door to Cleveland's legendary West Side Market, Market Garden Brewery can be spotted easily by the flashing BEER! sign. The 35,000-square-foot facility houses a production brewery, gastropub, and retail store. With a dog-friendly beer garden and three spacious bars, there's plenty of room to relax and sip on award-winning beers such as Prosperity Wheat and Citramax IPA. Pair your brew with a fried bologna sandwich, Polish Boy pizza with smoked kielbasa, or one of the other favorite Midwest dishes on the menu.
8377 Pearl Rd., Strongsville, OH 44136
View this post on Instagram
Have you ever dreamed of being your own brewmaster? At The Brew Kettle, all you need to bring is your enthusiasm. Choose from more than 70 beer and wine recipes, and The Brew Kettle provides ingredients and instructions. They'll even personalize your beverage with a custom label. Not into DIY? Enjoy one of The Brew Kettle's year-round, seasonal, or one-off brews on tap. Since they're not satisfied with excelling at beer and wine, The Brew Kettle also makes their own Southern-style smoked pulled pork and wings.
777 E. 185th St., Cleveland, OH 44119
The idea began in Munich, but The Cleveland Brewery itself embodies the heart and soul of Northeast Ohio. Owners John and Mary pay tribute to Cleveland's history with brews such as Browns Town, Muellerfest, and 185th St. Wheat. In another nice touch, tap handles are shaped like the iconic Terminal Tower. Brews rotate, so check the Facebook page to see what's current.
7524 Father Frascati Dr., Cleveland, OH 44102
View this post on Instagram
If you like your brew with a view, check out Terrestrial Brewing Co. and their pub overlooking Lake Erie. Terrestrial's infusion tower adds notes of peach, jalapeno, grapefruit, and other fresh fruits to their beers. Authentic tacos and burritos from La Plaza make a great accompaniment to any brew. The outdoor patio features an adjacent off-leash play area, so bring your four-legged friend along, and you may find his picture posted as one of the "Dogs of Terrestrial."
2717 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113
Northeast Ohio was shaped in large part by European immigrants, and Hansa Brewery honors their influence with authentic food and drink. For more than 40 years, Hansa Import House sold an extensive variety of imported meats, cheeses, and beers. In 2013, work began on Boris Music's dream project of upgrading the shop while adding a brewery and restaurant. A visit to Hansa might include a pint of whimsically named Bye Felicia! with potato pancakes and Wiener Schnitzel.
1836 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
View this post on Instagram
Who is Bad Tom Smith, and why is a brewery named after him? His story of redemption resonated with owners Sheryl and John Vojtush and their head brewer, Sean Smith, a distant relative of the outlaw. Bad Tom's name also adorns the brewery's barrel-strength bourbon. The taproom serves a light menu of snacks, salads, and pizzas.
1361 E. 55th St., Cleveland, OH 44103
Goldhorn Brewery, named for a mountain goat in Slovenian folklore, imbues that same love of tradition in everything they do. Rustic decor, long dining tables, and a cozy lounge area create a warm sense of community. The city's roots inspire beer names such as Polka City Pilsner and Kleveland Kölsch. Be sure to try their signature chicken sandwich, smothered in their namesake hot sauce.
When it comes to food and beer, are you Team Pizza or Team Burgers?

On the list of the most popular US cities for craft beer, Cincinnati may not top the list — and that's the way we like it. With dozens of breweries on both sides of the Ohio River, we're happy to keep these hoppy hotspots a secret for Swine City residents only.
Are you looking for the coolest, craziest, and most creative beers Cincy has to offer? From milkshake IPAs to stouts brewed with peppers, peaches, and pies, you'd be surprised at just how tasty beer with beets or bacon actually is. Let's see what excitingly eccentric brews are on tap around The Queen City.
4003 Eastern Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45226
Kicking off our list is Streetside Brewery, a newer brewer that's already claimed their share of awards. When we're craving a milkshake IPA, they're our first stop! The John Lemon is a lemon meringue, while the Yowie Wowie is a sour with pink guava. I Drink Your Milkshake is bursting with blueberry, and the Trouble In Paradise is a fruity blonde that's anything but problematic. Leave room for other tasty taps, like the Interstate Pastry Flight chocolate cream donut stout, the P.U.C. It pineapple upside-down cake Berliner, the Robe red velvet donut stout, or the Doodlebob snickerdoodle coffee brown.
5905 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45224
Speaking of Darkness Brewing, they partnered with Brink Brewing Company to birth Damocles — a black milkshake IPA. Sweeten things up a little more with the Brink Tiramisu Stout, the Pillow Case Candy cinnamon coconut chocolate stout, and the Moozie chocolate milkshake stout. This College Hill brewery has plenty of other brews — like the Kickin' Wing mango habanero IPA — but nothing beats a freshly tapped pint of dessert.
7790 Service Center Drive, Suite B., West Chester Township, OH 45069
Still thirsty? How about a glass of Old Motor Oil or Defroster? If you've ever wanted to taste a Rusty Bumper or a Haybale, Grainworks Brewing Company has a pint ready for you. Their uniquely named beers, such as the Mom Claude Van Damme, are brewed with a range of different hops and malts to deliver full flavors that you won't soon forget.
224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, KY 41073
Darkness is sweeping over Bellevue's brewery scene, bringing a storm of dark beers for your enjoyment. Darkness Brewing prides itself on mixing up new brews with uncommon ingredients. There's a batch of beets in the Witch Head Nebula red IPA. Maple syrup is mixed into the Ike Ike Baby vanilla brown ale. Cold-brewed coffee gives the Coffee Anomaly a smooth taste, while the bananas and cloves of the Beach Park After Dark lend a malty flavor to this dunkelweizen. Don't be afraid to wander into the Darkness — it's delicious.
1621 Dana Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45207
Listermann Brewing Company was founded in Cincinnati long before the craft beer craze hit the city, and you'd better believe that they spent the last 30 years honing their craft. Vanilla, hazelnuts, peanut butter, and chocolate are just a few of the sweet ingredients featured in their bottled brews. We suggest you start with a Shamrock Shake Irish cream stout, a Give Me Something To Bake imperial pastry stout made with raisin pie filling, or a Half Moon Cookie imperial brown ale. Do you need dinner before dessert? Try the Cincinnati Style Stout; it's made with chocolate, spices, and spaghetti!
27 W. 7th St., Covington, KY 41011
Head across the river to Covington and taste the concoctions cooked-up at Braxton Brewing Company. Their year-round and seasonal beers are fantastic, but their limited-release offerings and Braxton Labs exclusives really take the cake. The Braxton Labs Cherry Turnover and Peach Cobbler are fantastic. Braxton's brewers also use Graeter's irresistible ice cream to make their Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Stout. Beer that tastes like ice cream and pie? We know where we're going for a late-night sip.
4831 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45232
1445 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
You'd be forgiven for missing this small nano brewery in Mt. Healthy, but trust us, they're brewing up something big every day! If you're daring, try a pint of The Tollhouse Caps, a stout infused with the hottest chili peppers on the planet, or The Tollhouse Soma infused with curry powder, cayenne, and cumin. For a sweeter sip, try the Pepo Acer pumpkin porter aged with maple and bacon donuts from Holtman's Donuts or The Tollhouse Mentha chocolate peppermint stout that tastes just like a peppermint patty. Fibonacci Brewing Company's unique nano brews offer global ingredients in every pint-sized pour.
Is it a circus inside of a brewery or a bar beneath the big top? Find out as you step into the surreal world of Bircus Brewing Company just across the river in Kentucky. Take your taste buds for a ride on Unicycle No.3, an oak-aged sour with grilled peaches. Behold the Cosmic Walrus, a golden ale featuring a crisp cranberry snap and a ginger finish. Sip on one of their other thirteen taps and enjoy live performances from jugglers, fire-breathers, and trapeze artists who take the stage in the recently opened Ludlow Theatre.
1910 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
No list of Cincinnati breweries is complete without an appearance from Rhinegeist Brewery. This local favorite produces dozens upon dozens of beers in nearly every style imaginable. Get your fruit fix with the pomegranate, blueberries, and limes in the Slangria, their hoppy Y'all Peachy made with peaches and Lemondrop hops, the UME Farmhouse Ale with plums, or the Centripetal Cherries Wild Ale. Stop into their taproom and seek out Truth, Knowledge, and their other year-round beers. Better yet, take your pint up to the roof and watch the sunshine Over-the-Rhine.
Which Cincy brew is your favorite? Let us know which round we should order next in the comments below.