NEWS
GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. INTRODUCES aSPLASH CRAFTED CITRUS LONG DRINK
Brewery’s First Canned Cocktail Crafted with Watershed Four Peel Gin, Features Sustainability Give-Back via CLEANR Partnership
CLEVELAND, August 10, 2026 — Great Lakes Brewing Company, Ohio’s original craft brewery, introduces aSPLASH, Ohio’s first crafted long drink. The gin-based canned cocktail launches in August.
Introducing an All-Ohio Original
The storied Ohio brewery’s first canned cocktail is crafted with Four Peel Gin, made in Columbus by Watershed Distillery, producers of Ohio’s #1 selling Ohio-made gin portfolio. Portions of proceeds from sales of aSPLASH will fight microplastics pollution in the Great Lakes via a partnership with innovative Cleveland-based CLEANR.
Have A Splash More
Beginning in August 2026, aSPLASH Crafted Citrus Long Drink will be available across Ohio in convenient can 6-packs. It will be offered in two refreshing gluten free varieties: a 6% ABV original recipe and a lighter 4% ABV with just 99 calories and no added sugar. aSPLASH is crafted with Ohio-made Four Peel Gin and real grapefruit and orange flavors, delivering a bright, effervescent drinking experience with premium ingredients. aSPLASH’s cans are designed with a refreshing blue and teal color gradient, with the 4% cans featuring a white backdrop.
Tapping Watershed Distillery
While this is Great Lakes’ first foray into canned cocktails, the brewery has had recent success in branching out as a beverage company with its hard seltzer and THC-infused offerings. GLBC CEO Chris Brown says, “Consumer preferences are evolving, and so are we. A craft brewery in today’s marketplace needs to reimagine itself as a total beverage company. We are a brewery first and foremost, but we know flavors and our brewing team are masters of quality, so I believed a canned cocktail opportunity was there for Great Lakes to develop an elevated long drink. I initially reached out to the leadership at Watershed as they make such perfect sense as a partner. We share many of the same values: quality and craftsmanship, and both companies were leaders in the Ohio craft movement. We are both proud of aSPLASH as a brand, from the great-tasting liquid in the can to having a social cause in helping to eliminate microplastics from the Great Lakes.”
Watershed Distillery US Brand Ambassador Tommy Householder says, “We’ve had a great relationship with GLBC for years, partnering on events and small batch releases like our bourbon finished in their Barrel Aged Christmas Ale barrels, so we’re excited to level up our partnership with aSPLASH. Great Lakes’ approach to crafting a canned cocktail is a perfect complement to how we craft our Four Peel Gin. We can’t wait to get aSPLASH in hands throughout our home state and beyond.”
Blossoming as a Beverage Company
Brown describes the strategy behind launching ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails with a long drink. “Obviously there are a few major players who’ve been very successful in introducing the long drink cocktail to an American audience. I knew Watershed’s brands well from my time in the Georgia market and their Four Peel Gin has a very refreshing and citrus-forward flavor profile that makes a perfect base for our crafted long drink, giving it an extra citrus pop. aSPLASH will appeal to a wide range of drinkers, which is key for us as we step into the RTD cocktail world. We are so proud and thrilled with the liquid, which is a crafted, elevated version of a canned cocktail that we know many people already love.”
Making aSPLASH for Good
With aSPLASH, Great Lakes has also partnered with CLEANR, a Cleveland-based company working to stop microplastics pollution and exposure with their patented VORTX filtration technology. CLEANR’s first product, a washing machine filter, fights the #1 cause of microplastics pollution – our clothing. A portion of proceeds from aSPLASH 6-pack purchases will be used to donate CLEANR filters to Great Lakes colleges and universities. This collaboration will help demonstrate practical ways for people to minimize their environmental impact and educate future generations on clean water issues.
GLBC Marketing Director Vicki Campana says, “The best partnerships are built around a shared purpose. For Great Lakes Brewing Company, protecting our namesake waters has been part of who we are since Dan and Pat Conway founded the brewery nearly four decades ago. When we began developing aSPLASH, we knew we wanted partners who could help us create something truly special. Watershed’s quality and innovative approach to gin made them a natural fit for the liquid, while CLEANR’s groundbreaking work to combat microplastic pollution gave us an opportunity to extend our environmental commitment beyond the can. Together, we’ve created a premium canned cocktail that celebrates Ohio craftsmanship while helping support CLEANR filter installation and educational initiatives on college campuses across the Great Lakes region.”
CLEANR Co-Founder & CEO, Max Pennington says, “We are so thrilled to partner with an innovative local company like Great Lakes, especially given their history of advocating for clean water. A partnership between three Ohio-based companies in Great Lakes, Watershed, and CLEANR will be so impactful in reducing microplastics pollution from college campuses and showing the next generation how their actions can contribute to a brighter future for the Great Lakes and our surrounding waterways.”
Launching in August
Customers can look forward to finding both aSPLASH 6-packs at retailers throughout Ohio including the Great Lakes brewpub starting in August. The brewery has announced the following launch events:
Thursday, September 3: aSPLASH Launch Party at North Coast Yard, Cleveland OH
Saturday, September 19: aSPLASH Launch Party at Great Lakes Brewing Co.
October: aSPLASH Launch Event at Watershed Distillery (date TBD)
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About Great Lakes Brewing Co.:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) is Ohio’s original craft brewery, founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway in Cleveland, Ohio. GLBC is independent and employee-owned and serves 19 states and Washington, D.C. with its award-winning portfolio of fresh, flavorful, and innovative crafted beverages including Vibacious® Double IPA, Midwest IPA, Dortmunder Gold® Lager, and a robust selection of seasonal and limited release offerings. Learn more at greatlakesbrewing.com.
About Watershed Distillery:
Founded in 2010 in Columbus, Ohio, Watershed Distillery is a celebrated craft distillery who produces Ohio’s #1 selling Ohio-made bourbon and gin portfolios. The Four Peel Gin family leads the charge, along with an award-winning craft vodka and a variety of specialty spirits such as The Fall Finishing Bourbon Collection and the fan favorite Nocino. Learn more at watersheddistillery.com
About CLEANR:
CLEANR Inc. is an Ohio-based filtration technology company focused on stopping microplastics pollution and exposure. CLEANR builds best-in-class microplastic filters to protect consumers at-home and on-the-go, and to protect the environment. CLEANR’s products leverage their patented, biomimicry-inspired platform filtration technology, the VORTX, to capture microplastics and other harmful contaminants from water. To learn more about CLEANR and upcoming new product releases please visit www.cleanr.life.
We are thrilled to announce plans for a new Great Lakes Experience Bar at PIT International Airport, in partnership with Air Ventures.
Great Lakes has proudly served the state of Pennsylvania since 1999, and this new bar at PIT gives us a great opportunity to serve our valued customers in Pittsburgh, while reaching the millions of travelers who pass through PIT each year.
Construction on the Great Lakes Experience Bar at PIT begins this August, with an opening slated for late fall, 2026. Customers can look forward to a menu inspired by the GLBC brewpub, with flagships like Dortmunder Gold Lager and rotating seasonal favorites like Christmas Ale on tap.
Air Ventures also operates the Great Lakes Brewing Co. bar at CLE Hopkins International Airport.
See below for renders, and stay tuned for more updates!
Details and designs subject to change
We are thrilled to announce our sponsorship as the Official Craft Beer of The Afterburn Ohio Music Festival, taking place August 14 – 15, 2026 at Victory Park Ohio in North Ridgeville. The two-day outdoor rock festival brings together pop punk, hard rock, and metal artists, with Third Eye Blind and Skillet headlining a weekend of continuous music across two stages.
GLBC will serve a variety of brews including Dortmunder Gold Lager and Midwest IPA, Northeast Ohio exclusive Cold Rush Premium Light Lager, and new year-round Orange & Honey Wheat. Local craft brews and high energy live music promise a great summer weekend. Meet us there!
What: Afterburn Ohio Music Festival
Where: Victory Park Ohio, 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
When: August 14 – 15, 2026
Tickets: theafterburnmusicfestival.com
GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. INTRODUCES FALL SEASONAL LINEUP
Biergarten Party Pack Debuts, Oktoberfest and Limited Releases Return
CLEVELAND, July 28, 2026 — Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) announces its fall lineup, anchored by seasonal favorite Oktoberfest and the new Biergarten Party Pack, alongside returning Joe Thomas-collaboration 73 Kolsch in select markets, and Nosferatu Double Red IPA.
Celebrated Oktoberfest Returns
Often heralded as an exemplar of the style, the brewery’s seasonal Oktoberfest returns to all markets this August in a wide variety of packages including cans, bottles, and draft.
Great Lakes Brewing Company returns as the Official Craft Beer Sponsor of Cleveland Oktoberfest, Cleveland’s largest annual outdoor event, taking place September 4-7 and 11-12.
Biergarten Party Pack Debuts
Following in the footsteps of its 2026 seasonal predecessors Irish Party Pack and Sunshine Party Pack, the new Biergarten Party Pack Variety 12-Pack releases to all markets this September. Anchored by “super seasonal” Oktoberfest, the pack also includes two exciting new brews: a 4.9% ABV Bavarian-inspired German Pils, and 6.1% ABV Apple Pie Eliot Ness Amber Lager. German Pils carries on GLBC’s traditions as a respected lager brewery. First served as a limited infusion at brewery events, Apple Pie Eliot Ness features autumnal apple pie spice flavors to complement its smooth, rich malt body. A blend of heritage, tradition, and innovation, Biergarten Party Pack highlights seasonal flavors crafted for fall celebrations.
Limited Seasonal Offerings
73 Kolsch returns to Northern Ohio and select markets this August in 12 oz. can 6-packs, new 12 oz. can 12-packs, and 19.2 oz. cans at select venues. Crafted in collaboration with Cleveland football hero and Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, 73 Kolsch is a tailgate-friendly 5.7% Kolsch brewed with rye.
Cult classic Nosferatu Double Red IPA returns to the Double Feature IPA Series in 12 oz. can 6-packs and draft, bringing its 8.0% hop bite and rich and roasty malt character to shelves and taps starting in late August.
They say you can’t improve a classic. We say lighten up! Introducing Dort Light, a reimagined version of our classic Dortmunder Gold Lager. Brewed with the same malts, hops, and proprietary yeast that earned Dortmunder our first Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1990, Dort Light has the taste of its pedigreed predecessor, but at just 2.9% ABV and 90 calories per 12 oz. pour.
This lighter yet still full-flavored version of our year-round flagship brew is our first example of the newly emerging “mid-strength” beer category in the United States. While long popular in the UK and Australia and having roots in “session” strength beers of recent decades, American craft brews with roughly 2.5-3.5% ABV but a more robust flavor experience are just now entering the spotlight. Whether your goal is extending a social occasion or moderating calorie intake, mid-strength beers like Dort Light get the job done without sacrificing flavor. Even better – why not both? Start the night with a full bodied Dortmunder and keep the hangout going later with Dort Light. Or, grab a few Dort Lights at happy hour, then pair dinner with the more robust Dortmunder Gold without feeling overindulgent.
Dort Light delivers the signature flavor profile of the Dortmunder Gold Lager beer drinkers in Ohio and beyond have enjoyed for almost 40 years. Affectionately called “Dort” by longtime fans, the original Dortmunder strikes a perfect balance between sweet malt and dry hop flavors, with a full-bodied but smooth drinkability (even at 5.8% ABV) from our proprietary house lager yeast. Dort Light uses the exact same malts, hops, and yeast as its elder sibling, but to a lower final alcohol content of 2.9%, meaning you can enjoy the perfect malty, hoppy balance and flavor profile of a robust Dortmunder Gold Lager without getting weighed down. When the original literally won a gold medal, you know Dort Light’s flavor profile is going to be a winner, too!
It can’t be understated how important Dortmunder Gold Lager is to our brewery. As one of our first two beers upon opening our brewpub doors in 1988 (alongside Eliot Ness Amber Lager), Dortmunder is the foundation upon which our Top 50, regional craft brewery was built. And as the first craft brewery in Cleveland and one of the largest in the Midwest, Dortmunder literally put Cleveland and Ohio on the craft brewing map. There’s no Midwest IPA, no Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, no (gasp!) Christmas Ale without Dortmunder leading the way. As we grew from a humble brewpub, to packaging our beer in bottles and kegs in the mid 90’s, to regional distribution throughout the 2000’s, Dortmunder fueled the growth, becoming literally ubiquitous throughout greater Cleveland as the years rolled on. Walk into any given bar, restaurant, grocery store, you name it – you’re finding Dortmunder Gold Lager there.
Indeed, Dortmunder Gold Lager has meant a lot to Great Lakes fans for decades. Our day one patrons still give a wink and call it “The Heisman,” referring to the beer’s original name, a tribute to the legendary football coach who was born in the Ohio City neighborhood we call home. While a “polite disagreement” from another party moved us to rename the beer for the style (Dortmunder-style Lager) and its winning ways (that GABF gold medal!), the story lives on in our original supporters, and our trusty brewery tour guides.
Dortmunder Gold Lager is many Clevelanders’ first craft beer, and continues to be their reliable, quality, go-to option when picking up a 15-pack for a cookout or enjoying dinner with family out on Friday night. Indeed, for our longtime partners at the Winking Lizard Tavern (recently named Best Sports Bar by USA Today), “Dort” is their number one selling craft beer. With patrons who care about local and quality, it’s no surprise we launched Dort Light exclusively at Winking Lizard’s 15 locations throughout Ohio before its full release leading up to Fourth of July.
When the game goes extra innings or you want a tasty but lighter option next to that 20-pack of wings, reach for a bottle of Dort Light. And if you’re hosting for Independence Day festivities, best to pick up a pack of each (okay, maybe a couple) to make sure the cooler is full of the right brew for the right mood all day long. You’ll find both right next to each other on the shelf, with Dort Light sporting the red, white, and blue ribbon of its predecessor along with other reimagined elements of the classic’s label.
Experience Dort in a new light! Dort Light is available year-round in 6-Pack Bottles and Draft everywhere Great Lakes beer is sold. Get Dort Light, Dortmunder Gold Lager, and any of our brews near you using our Beer Finder.
Words by Mike Williams
Photos by Marissa DeSantis & Lily O’Brien
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Introduces Dort Light Lager
Low Alcohol, Low Calorie Edition of Classic Dortmunder Gold Releases in June
CLEVELAND, June 3, 2026 – Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) introduces Dort Light, a 90 calorie, 2.9% ABV version of its award-winning flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager, in 6-Pack Bottles and Draft.
Brewed with the same classic, balanced Dortmunder Gold Lager recipe that put Great Lakes Brewing Company and Ohio craft beer on the map in 1988, Dort Light has the character and taste of its pedigreed predecessor, with only 2.9% ABV and 90 Calories per 12 oz. bottle. Currently, the brewery distributes its Cold Rush Premium Light Lager throughout Northeast Ohio, but Dort Light is the first of its kind for the storied brewery: a mid-strength yet full-flavored version of a year-round flagship brew, available everywhere Great Lakes beer is sold.
The Time Is Right For Light
“Mid-strength” and lower calorie beverages are a trend GLBC leadership has eyed, seeking the right entry into the category, and Dortmunder’s brand recognition makes it a contender. “Dortmunder Gold has had a reputation as Cleveland’s #1 craft beer for over 30 years, but today’s consumer has different preferences. Dort Light gives a new option for beer lovers who still want a beer, but can moderate with a superior light beer rather than an NA. Dort Light will be known as the best tasting low-calorie option–it truly tastes like a craft lager,” says GLBC CEO Chris Brown.
Brown adds, “We’re leaning into the legacy of Great Lakes with this beer and positioning it alongside its much older but still cool sibling. To the Ohioan, Dortmunder just became “Dort” and we are leaning into that familiarity while creating its own brand. Dort is a short Dortmunder in calories and ABV, but long on flavor.”
Dortmunder Gold Lager is the top craft lager in Ohio Food over the last 13 weeks (Nielsen).
The label itself features Dortmunder’s common call name “Dort” with “light” in script, and incorporates Dortmunder’s classic red, white, and blue ribbon among other recognizable elements. GLBC Marketing Director Vicki Campana notes, “these two beers will be positioned together in the market, so there’s a nice visual harmony between them. Whether you’re opting for the original or the lighter version, each package is undeniably Dortmunder—your trusted go-to for any occasion.”
On-Premise Introductions
Dort Light will launch in bottles and draft exclusively at the GLBC brewpub and Ohio’s Winking Lizard Tavern’s 15 locations in early June before its broader release throughout the brewery’s distribution footprint. A longtime partner of Great Lakes, and recent winner of USA Today’s 10Best “Best Sports Bar”, Winking Lizard’s popular craft-forward taverns are a perfect fit for Dort Light’s debut.
“It is exciting to roll out Dort Light with our number one craft beer partner, Great Lakes Brewing Company. Dortmunder Gold is our #1 selling craft beer and I am confident that Dort Light will be a huge seller as well. Our customers care about local and quality, and Dort Light is a great, approachable craft light beer alternative that will fit right in with our menu and clientele. As one of the top-selling Dortmunder Gold accounts, we are looking forward to showcasing the two together in our restaurants and continuing our strong partnership with Great Lakes,” says John Lane, Co-Owner, Winking Lizard Tavern.
Liquid Gold, Coming Soon
Brewed with the same malt, hops, and proprietary yeast that earned Dortmunder Gold its first gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1990, Dort Light is just 2.9% ABV and 90 Calories. It releases in 6-Pack 12 oz. Bottles and Draft this June.
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About Great Lakes Brewing Co.:
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) is Ohio’s original craft brewery, founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway in Cleveland, Ohio. GLBC is independent and employee-owned and serves 19 states and Washington, D.C. with its award-winning portfolio of fresh, flavorful, and innovative crafted beverages including Vibacious® Double IPA, Midwest IPA, Dortmunder Gold® Lager, and a robust selection of seasonal and limited release offerings. Learn more at greatlakesbrewing.com.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. has partnered with Pinter, an award-winning brew and tap machine, to revive the classic Burning River Pale Ale for countertops around the world.
Fans can now brew Pinter’s “remixed” take on the old school Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale Recipe, which features the beer’s signature citrus and pine aromas and flavors. Launching May 26, the throwback Pale Ale will be available to order exclusively via Pinter for their innovative at-home brewing system. For Great Lakes, Burning River Pale Ale was a natural introduction to Pinter’s audience.
“Burning River Pale Ale is one of our most requested beers from our die-hard fans, but unfortunately it was no longer holding its own in the market. This Pinter collaboration is exciting for us because it provides a different way for those passionate fans to reconnect and make some new memories with Burning River at home, while introducing the Great Lakes story to a wide audience” says Chris Brown, CEO, Great Lakes Brewing Company.
The Pinter packaging includes Burning River Pale Ale’s label artwork, illustrated by Sam Hadley. GLBC Marketing Director Vicki Campana notes the significance of the imagery, “Burning River Pale Ale’s artwork shows an interpretation of the 1969 Cuyahoga River Fire that inspired the Clean Water Act. It speaks to Cleveland’s history and brighter future, and a sustainability story that’s become a point of pride for our city. The artwork and story mean a lot to Great Lakes fans, so we made sure to keep it as part of this fresh collaboration.”
For Pinter, the history and brewing chops are a highlight as they expand their portfolio of iconic craft brewery recipe collaborations.
“We’re thrilled to work with Great Lakes Brewing Company to resurrect one of Ohio’s most cherished beers,” said Paul Benner, Pinter US CEO. “Being a Cleveland native, I know how special Burning River is to Midwest beer drinkers, and we’re proud to help bring it back in a completely new way, plus introduce Great Lakes to Pinter customers nationwide and in the UK.”
The Burning River Pale Ale Pinter Pack will be available for order exclusively through Pinter’s website. The Pinter machine is available for free when you sign up for one of their flexible beer plans (full Terms & Conditions apply).
This product is available exclusively via Pinter, and will not be available for purchase via Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Reignite Your Senses
With bright notes of grapefruit and pine layered over smooth, biscuity malt character, Burning River Pale Ale Remixed delivers a fresh take on a cult-classic. Balanced and approachable at 6.0% ABV, it’s an easy-drinking pale ale for longtime craft fans and anyone looking to discover a legendary Great Lakes brew for the first time.
We are excited to announce that Great Lakes Brewing Company is the Official Beer of Pride in the CLE, 2026! Pride in the CLE takes place Saturday, June 6 from 11AM – 6PM at Public Square and Malls B & C in downtown Cleveland.
Meet us after the march in the Drink Garden on Mall C to find a selection of fresh, cold GLBC beers for purchase in cans, photo opps, and GLBC ambassadors with samples and giveaways.
You’ll also see members of our team marching with the community at Pride in the CLE.
We are proud to support the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, and send cheers to our LGBTQ+ friends and family. We look forward to raising at toast with you at Pride in the CLE!
Our Homage x GLBC Pride Collaboration tee is available in our gift shop and online store, with a portion of proceeds donated to the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland.