NEWS
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) celebrates 35 years of independent craft brewing with a series of releases, events, and merchandise. In its 35th year GLBC celebrates its legacy as an employee-owned top 20 American craft brewery. Read on to learn about all of our exciting 35th Anniversary gear, beer, and cheer! Stay updated at greatlakesbrewing.com/glbc35.
A SPECIAL BEER FOR 35 YEARS
Celebrating in style, GLBC will release a limited edition Barrel Aged Imperial Amber. Inspired by Eliot Ness Amber Lager, one of the brewery’s two original recipes, the 12.1% beer is aged in Bulleit® Bourbon barrels and releases in foil-stamped 4-Pack Bottles throughout GLBC’s footprint beginning September 11, just after the brewery’s official anniversary on September 6.
A RETRO CELEBRATION
Starting in August, customers throughout GLBC’s distribution footprint will find limited edition retro blue, gold, and white 6-Packs of Dortmunder Gold Lager bottles, featuring the original 6-Pack design and vintage logo from GLBC’s early distribution days.
A RETRO MERCH COLLECTION
Fans will find a limited series of “throwback” merchandise including a baseball cap, hoodie, jacket, stemmed glass, and more, starting August 4. The collection can be found now at GLBC’s onsite gift shop and at store.greatlakesbrewing.com/anniversary-collection. Fans will have a chance to win pieces from the collection via the brewery’s #glbcsummer social media contest during the month of August.
PARTYING LIKE IT’S 1988
The GLBC brewpub will host a 35th Anniversary party on Saturday, August 19. A favorite pub exclusive will be on tap along with a day of family-friendly fun including caricatures and balloon art, treats from Mason’s Creamery, a DJ set, a vinyl pop-up shop featuring local record stores, and more! Guests can shop from the brewery’s 35th collection and more with a pint in hand. The 35th anniversary party is free and open to the public. Details subject to change. More at: greatlakesbrewing.com/events/35th-anniversary-party.
Share in the celebration by tagging your photos, videos, and memories with #GLBC35 on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Want the latest buzz? Subscribe to our newsletter, Much Abrew, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on all of our year-round, seasonal, and limited release beers. Keep up to date with brewpub releases and events at our Brewpub Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information.
Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) is proud to announce our return as sponsors of the 2nd Weekend of the 2023 Cleveland Oktoberfest, September 8 and 9 at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. is a longstanding participant in Cleveland Oktoberfest, and became the event’s Official 2nd Weekend Sponsor for the first time in 2022. GLBC is excited to return as the 2nd Weekend Sponsor, and the primary offering throughout the event on September 8 and 9. GLBC beer will be available in the Bier Garten both weekends.
As the featured craft beer sponsor for 2023, GLBC will have a large presence at the event including a variety of draft offerings like our award-winning Oktoberfest pouring throughout the entire fairground on the 2nd weekend. Be on the lookout for GLBC giveaways and photo opps, and sign up for the Great Lakes 5K Bier Run & One Mile Walk on Monday, September 4, benefitting University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. To learn more and register, visit: https://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/entertainment/attractions/5k-run/
With a variety of live entertainment, games, cultural performances, and attractions, Cleveland Oktoberfest is a late-summer tradition you won’t want to miss.
Find tickets here: https://www.clevelandoktoberfest.com/tickets/
Don’t forget to follow @glbc_cleveland on Instagram and Twitter, and @clevelandoktoberfest on Instagram for event previews, special offers, and giveaways.
About Cleveland Oktoberfest:
The mission of Cleveland Oktoberfest is to promote and support the arts by conducting live musical and artistic cultural performances for the general public. This serves to preserve, promote and perpetuate European Heritage within the Cleveland area, while at once advancing and fostering education and general awareness. Numerous charitable groups and organizations benefit from Cleveland Oktoberfest.
A beer fit for an Iron Man – in a gold jacket! We’re excited to announce the return of 73 Kolsch, a light, crisp, tailgate worthy beer brewed in collaboration with Cleveland football hero Joe Thomas.
73 Kolsch is our way of honoring a local legend with a tasty tribute. After Joe retired in 2018 (with 10,363 consecutive snaps under his belt!) we invited him to join our brewers in designing and brewing the perfect game day beer. No stranger to hard work and grit, he even rolled up his sleeves to add hops to the boil and rake out the spent grain. Of course, we expected nothing less from our hometown hero.
73 Kolsch returns to the gift shop beginning Friday, July 21 in special gold-topped 6-Packs to commemorate Joe’s enshrinement. Find a limited amount of 73 Kolsch in cans and on draft throughout Northeast Ohio beginning Monday, July 24. To locate 73 Kolsch and other GLBC beers in your area, visit our Beer Finder.
RELEASE DETAILS
GLBC Gift Shop: Beginning Friday, July 21
GLBC Brewpub: Coming soon!
Northeast Ohio: Beginning Monday, July 24
Packages: 16 oz. Can Gold-Topped 6-Packs, Draft
LIMITED 73 KOLSCH MERCH COLLECTION WITH GV ART
We’ve once again collaborated with Cleveland’s GV Art and Design to release a special induction-themed merch collection including limited edition apparel, a poster, and a can sleeve with a custom Joe Thomas and 73 Kolsch-inspired illustration. The collection will be available for purchase in the GLBC gift shop and at GV’s Lakewood location for a limited time beginning Friday, July 21.
SOLD OUT! 73 KOLSCH BREWMASTER’S DINNER WITH JOE THOMAS
Celebrate the release of 73 Kolsch with a special Brewmaster’s Dinner featuring the Iron Man himself! Join us for an intimate five-course beer dinner with special guest Joe Thomas on Thursday, August 10. Hear stories from Joe, get to know our brewers, take home an exclusive gift, and enjoy a menu fit for a legend. Tickets are limited. See the menu and reserve your table here.
IN THE CAN
Flavor: Reliably crisp and smooth, with consecutive snaps of earthy hop aromas and subtle rye bitterness
ABV: 5.7%
IBU: 20
Pairs with: Sausages, cheese curds, and fresh fish
Want the latest buzz? Subscribe to our newsletter, Much Abrew, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on all of our year-round, seasonal, and limited release beers. Keep up to date with brewpub releases and events at our Brewpub Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) is excited to launch limited edition release Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer.
A craft hard seltzer inspired by the classic summertime treat, Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer releases this June in 6-Pack Cans at the GLBC gift shop and select retailers throughout Ohio.
In a year of innovation, Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer marks GLBC’s return to small batch can releases. With a red, white, and blue striped 12 oz. Can design reminiscent of the classic frozen confection, the playfully fruity and effervescent Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer is just 5.0% ABV.
Developed by GLBC Chief Operating Officer Steven Pauwels, Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer debuted as a pilot beverage in the GLBC brewpub this spring. Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer releases in package on the heels of the brewery’s latest year-round “beyond beer” offering, SunSail Hard Teas, which launched this April in Original and Peach Flavors across the entire distribution footprint. Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer is a highly limited seasonal release, exclusive to the GLBC gift shop and select Ohio markets beginning in June.
Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer releases in 12 oz. Can 6-Packs at the GLBC gift shop on Friday, June 23, along with select Ohio retailers. Customers should be on the lookout for Rocket Pop Hard Seltzer and future small batch can releases in the coming months.
Want the latest buzz? Subscribe to our newsletter, Much Abrew, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on all of our year-round, seasonal, and limited release beers. Keep up to date with brewpub releases and events at our @GLBCBrewpub Twitter and Instagram.
Questions? Email GLBCinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com for more information.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2023 honor by cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer Top Workplaces for the fourth time, and second year in a row! Our independent, employee-owned craft brewery employs over 200 driven, enthusiastic people, and we are honored by this recognition.
Throughout our history, we have aspired to grow our innovative and resourceful team of employee-owners with high standards, integrity, and vision, and have prioritized our team’s wellbeing by offering competitive benefits, growth opportunities, loads of perks, and a fun, engaging culture. We are grateful for this recognition, particularly because it comes largely thanks to the feedback of our own employees.
The Plain Dealer’s Top Workplaces list is based solely on employee feedback garnered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. You can find the full list here: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2023/06/see-the-list-of-all-214-northeast-ohio-top-workplaces-for-2023.html
If you are interested in joining our team of employee-owners, find more information and apply here: https://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/employment
We’re proud to share that Vibacious Double IPA has earned a 94 judge’s rating from Beer Connoisseur. With perfect scores in both Appearance and Mouthfeel, Vibacious checked the right boxes for Judge Michael Heniff who noted the beer’s balanced hop profile and low bitterness appropriate for the Double IPA style.
Our “solid” and “well-brewed” Vibacious Double IPA is available in 6-Pack Cans, 19.2 oz. Cans, and Draft year-round. Read the full review here, learn more about Vibacious Double IPA here, and use our Beer Finder to track down high-rated good vibes near you.
To celebrate our first Brewing Good Day at the brewpub on Wednesday, May 24, we interviewed one of our employee-owners doing great work in his community. We hope you’ll join us at the brewpub to support a good cause!
At Great Lakes Brewing Company, we’ve been brewing good ever since Co-Owners Pat and Dan Conway opened our doors 35 years ago. Yes, brewing good beer (okay, great beer), but also Brewing Good for our community and our planet. And as an employee-owned company, our staff takes this Brewing Good mission to heart. Among our dedicated employee-owners is J.P. Hernandez, First Shift Bottler and operator of the Barrio Boy Garden, an urban oasis, vibrant community event space, and edible landscape in Cleveland’s near west side. We sat down with J.P. after a recent staff volunteer event at the garden to talk about the history and mission of Barrio Boy, how you can get involved, and more.
J.P., thanks for taking the time to chat about the Barrio Boy Garden. First, a little bit about you. What is your role at GLBC?
I’m a Bottler on First Shift at our Ohio City production facility. It’s a tough job that I’m very proud to do (the bottles of low fill beer don’t hurt either!) I’m also a member of GLBC’s Green Team.
Oooh, that sounds interesting. Tell me a little bit about the Green Team and what you’re up to.
The Green Team’s goal is to foster and grow GLBC’s sustainability initiatives through action, education, and advocacy. This involves increasing our employee-owners’ participation in sustainability initiatives, continuing to establish our company as a community and industry leader in sustainable practices, and creating systems that will ensure our sustainability efforts across the company have lasting effects.
We’re working on a lot of projects right now! Just a few of our current efforts include streamlining the recycling of glass used in the brewery and brewpub, increasing the brewpub’s composting efforts, and enhancing recycling efforts companywide. We’ve even started a rooftop garden to grow our own hops!
On the community involvement side, we’re instituting a monthly Brewing Good Day, where 10% of each check during a certain date and time will be donated to a local partner. Our first Brewing Good Day is Wednesday, May 24! We’re also conducting monthly staff volunteer events.
GLBC brewery and brewpub staff after a volunteer cleanup event at Barrio Boy Garden
Wow, that’s a lot – and we haven’t even gotten to Barrio Boy yet! Give us the history of the garden, and your involvement in the local community.
It’s always been a dream of mine to have a community garden. In 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic, I hosted a DJ fundraiser to raise money for art supplies for the Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center. I had mentioned to their Executive Director Letitia Lopez that I wanted to start a community garden but didn’t know how. The following week, Ohio Division of Wildlife Officer Scott Denamen unexpectedly showed up at the Center looking for someone to collaborate with on, you guessed it, a community garden! Letitia linked me up with Scott, and the rest is history.
Barrio Boy Garden’s goal is to illustrate the importance of urban green, from the health of species like the endangered Monarch Butterfly, to the mental and physical health of local neighborhood residents. The garden helps me get involved with my community, whether that be through volunteering with local organizations, speaking to the youth in local schools, or sharing my love of the arts with my neighbors.
Very cool! What kind of community events does the garden host?
All kinds… and lot of them! Some events we’ve hosted include the installation of an event space called Rally CLE, a Yoga Flow & Meditation Celebration Event with Yellow Brick Studio where we planted seeds and flowers in the garden, and the performance of A Las Nubes, an original play in Spanish performed by Walton Elementary in collaboration with Cleveland Playhouse. We’ve given away 200 pumpkins with accompanying art kits, had open mic nights with painting and s’mores, and so much more. My personal favorite was Barrio Boy’s first anniversary, where we gave away almost 30 bikes and helmets, 100 bookbags filled with school supplies, and even free haircuts!
We know you’re passionate about GLBC’s sustainability efforts. What are some of the ways you promote sustainability at Barrio Boy?
Barrio Boy is very big on repurposing anything we can. We had 20-foot-long logs donated to us, out of which we created hügelkultur raised beds. These special garden beds hold moisture, build fertility, and maximize surface volume better than regular beds, making them great spaces for growing vegetables and herbs. We’ve also used some of the logs as seats for when we have events in the garden. We also repurposed all the bricks we dug up during one particular gardening project and used them to create a base for a fire pit. The list goes on!
The colorful Kickaround POG Tart fits right in at the flourishing Barrio Boy Garden
Any particularly touching or fun stories from Barrio Boy?
During that first anniversary I’m so fond of, a mother of three won a raffle for a bike. When I noticed that she had two other sons, we managed to get another two bikes for the brothers, which was really touching. The mother cried and mentioned how she couldn’t afford to buy even one bike for her kids, let alone three! It’s really cool to see how community involvement can so concretely improve the lives of our fellow humans. We now host the bike giveaway annually.
What is your vision for the future of the garden?
I want to keep showing the community how to repurpose things you think you can’t use, how to live a more sustainable life, and to be an inspiration to my neighbors on the importance that urban green spaces can play. It’s so important for all of us to have a space where art, agriculture, and wildlife can connect.
How can folks in get involved in supporting Barrio Boy or community gardens near them?
Reach out to the brewery at glbcinfo@greatlakesbrewing.com and ask to be connected with JP and Barrio Boy to see how you can get involved. You can support Barrio Boy directly by coming to our Brewing Good Day on Wednesday, May 24. I hope to see you there!
If you’re looking to establish a community garden in your neighborhood, the best way to get support is to contact your local councilperson and let them know you want to see these urban oases in your area.
Do you have any other hobbies or passions outside of GLBC and Barrio Boy?
Of course! Some passions of mine include performing poetry at open mics, teaching the youth the art of DJing, and collaborating with artists to create dope events!
Watermelon Crushworthy ready to refresh thirsty GLBC volunteers after cleanup efforts
Before we leave, I have to ask: which GLBC beer pairs best with a day of working and vibing at the garden?
I’m in the garden from March through October, so I have a few pairings depending on the season. I have to say, I have really been enjoying Vibacious Double IPA this spring! In the summer, Mexican Lager with Lime is the go-to. Then in autumn, I gotta go with the classic cool weather beer, Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.
J.P., thanks so much for taking the time to tell us the great things happening at Barrio Boy, and with the GLBC Green Team! Cheers!
Words: J.P. Hernandez and Michael Williams
Photos: Haven Hodges
We are excited to share that two Great Lakes Brewing Co. packages have earned “Crushie” Awards at the annual Craft Beer Marketing Awards!
In the category of Best Can Design / Printed Can (All Sizes) our new year-round Vibacious Double IPA 12 oz. Can received the coveted Platinum Crushie Award. According to the Craft Beer Marketing Awards, the Platinum Crushie is the most prestigious nomination within a regional category. The expressive and colorful Vibacious Double IPA Can was designed by illustrator Sam Hadley, with GLBC Creative Manager Jameson Campbell.
In the category of Best Packaging Design / For Cans our 2022 Barrel Aged Christmas Ale 4-Pack received a Gold Crushie Award. This textured, celebratory package was designed by GLBC Creative Manager Jameson Campbell.
The Craft Beer Marketing Awards are a global competition celebrating the very best of beer marketing and the teams and individuals behind them. You can learn more about the awards and judging process here.
We are honored to be recognized by CBMA’s respected team of judges for our packaging, and send our congratulations to all of our fellow winners in this year’s competition.
You can find the full winners list here, where you’ll find Vibacious Double IPA in the BEST CAN DESIGN / PRINTED CAN (ALL SIZES) category, and 2022 Barrel Aged Christmas Ale in the BEST PACKAGING / FOR CANS category.
Want to join our celebration? Use our Beer Finder to track down Vibacious and our other visually stunning (and incredibly delicious) beers near you.
