NEWS
Great Lakes Brewing Co. is proud to join over 1,000 breweries around the world in brewing Black is Beautiful. Started by Weathered Souls Brewing Co., Black is Beautiful Beer is a collaborative effort which aims to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily, and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged.
As a company, we are committed to working toward equality in our brewery and beyond. By participating, we have pledged to donate 100% of proceeds to the Cleveland NAACP to support their mission to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Black is Beautiful will go on tap exclusively at the brewpub on Tuesday, October 13. Learn more about the beer below.
Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout
Flavor: Imperial Stout with rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors. Brewed to benefit the Cleveland NAACP.
ABV: 10%
IBU: 50
Learn more about the Black is Beautiful Beer project here.
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.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Announces New Canning Line, Warehouse Facility
CLEVELAND, October 13, 2020—Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) announces the launch of its new canning line and warehouse facility in Strongsville, Ohio.
The brewery began construction on its 67,000 square foot facility in late 2019, first adding cold storage and nine truck bays, and culminating with the installation of a state-of-the-art canning line with the capability of packaging up to 310 cans per minute. GLBC will transport beer brewed at its Ohio City production brewery to be packaged just 20 miles away at the Strongsville facility via a fleet of two 200 barrel tanker trunks.
This is GLBC’s first permanent canning system, which gives the brewery the opportunity to offer year-round, seasonal, and limited releases in a sought after and rapidly growing package. Previously, GLBC had tankered its beer including brands like flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager and new Hazecraft IPA to a partner facility for packaging. In 2021 GLBC’s new facility is expected to produce approximately 66,000 barrels, or over 900,000 cases, worth of cans in a variety of packages.
In addition to the packaging aspect of the facility, the new site includes ample warehouse space, streamlining movement of packaged beer from brewery to market. Previously, GLBC had utilized longtime partner Superior Beverage’s facilities for storage of packaged product and raw materials. GLBC’s new warehouse, which has been functional since late September, 2020, will help get fresh beer into the market more quickly and efficiently, and afford the brewery increased ownership over quality assurance and delivery performance.
GLBC CEO Mark King acknowledges the importance of this investment, “We’ve known for a long time that the future is in cans—that’s where the growth is, so that’s where we need to be. Heading into 2021 we’re hyper-focused on offering the right brands in the right packages. We’ve dipped our toe in the water with a few canned brands in 2020 to fantastic results, and we’re confident that our new facility will set us up for even more success.”
Customers can expect to see some of their favorite brands transition from bottles to cans in a variety of packages as production ramps up at the new facility. Hop-forward favorites Commodore Perry IPA and Burning River Pale Ale will join Dortmunder Gold Lager, Great Lakes IPA, and new Hazecraft IPA in cans in 2020, along with the seasonal classic Christmas Ale.
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About Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) was founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway in Cleveland, Ohio. Independent and employee-owned, GLBC is known for its award-winning portfolio of fresh, balanced, and flavorful beers with names and artwork that tell stories of the Great Lakes region. Since its founding, GLBC has remained a principle-centered brewery with a “triple bottom line” philosophy, balancing financial responsibility with social and environmental responsibility. For more information visit greatlakesbrewing.com.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC) is proud to announce a new distribution partnership with New Jersey’s Hunterdon Brewing Company. Beginning July 7, the award-winning lagers and ales of Ohio’s original craft brewery will be distributed throughout Southern New Jersey, including Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
Customers can expect to find GLBC’s year-round family of beers including flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager and the dry-hopped citrus forward Great Lakes IPA, now available in cans. Other favorites like Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Burning River Pale Ale, Commodore Perry IPA, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager will be available year-round, along with special seasonal releases like GLBC’s award-winning Oktoberfest and Nosferatu Imperial Red Ale.
Follow @GLBCinNJ on Twitter and Instagram for area news, events, and releases. Learn more about Hunterdon Brewing Company here.
GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. EXPANDS VIRGINIA DISTRIBUTION
JUNE 29 LAUNCH WILL SERVE THE STATE
CLEVELAND, Jun. 16, 2020 – Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC), announces plans to distribute their award-winning ales and lagers throughout the entire state of Virginia.
Beginning June 29, Ohio’s original craft brewery will be distributed throughout the entire state of Virginia through a partnership with Specialty Beverage. GLBC’s expanded Virginia distribution footprint will include Greater Richmond, Williamsburg, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and Virginia Beach. GLBC first entered Virginia in 2012.
Customers can expect to find GLBC’s year-round family of beers including flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager and the dry-hopped citrus forward Great Lakes IPA, now available in cans. Other favorites like Edmund Fitzgerald Porter, Burning River Pale Ale, Commodore Perry IPA, and Eliot Ness Amber Lager will be available year-round, along with special seasonal releases like GLBC’s award-winning Oktoberfest.
Follow @GLBCinDMV on Twitter and Instagram for area news, events, and releases.
GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. RELEASES DORTMUNDER GOLD LAGER CANS
Flagship Lager’s Canned Debut Features Refreshed Artwork
CLEVELAND, Mar. 20, 2020—Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) announces the highly anticipated release of their award-winning flagship Dortmunder Gold Lager in 12 oz. can 6-Packs and 16 oz. cans with reimagined artwork.
Dortmunder Gold Lager’s award-winning legacy, approachability, and strong Ohio roots have made it GLBC’s flagship brand since 1988. With a proprietary yeast strain and balanced blend of sweet malt and crisp American hops, the brewery’s iconic Dortmunder-style lager is strongly associated with kickstarting the craft beer movement in Ohio.
Dortmunder Gold Lager’s new label artwork, which will appear on both cans and bottles, honors the beer’s award-winning reputation and hometown history. Illustrated by artist Sam Hadley, the package features a unique gold medal referencing Dortmunder Gold’s story, framed by iconic Cleveland buildings. The medal includes references to GLBC and Ohio history, Dortmunder Gold’s balance, and the beer’s humble origins in GLBC’s original 7-barrel Brewhouse No. 1, which is still used to produce pub exclusive beers.
Dortmunder Gold Lager 6-Pack 12 oz. Cans and 16 oz. Cans will be available throughout GLBC’s distribution footprint beginning the week of March 16, 2020.
To locate Dortmunder Gold Lager cans and other GLBC beers in your area, visit our Beer Finder.

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and there’s no place like the kitchen for beer! It’s no secret that a well-stocked fridge of Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer is sure to please during the holidays, but saving a bottle or two for the saucepan will yield dishes so delicious even the pickiest eater will be asking for more!
Discover what our brewpub chefs have always known and add a splash of our award-winning beer to your holiday entrées, sides, and desserts. Below are just a few of our favorite beer-infused recipes perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or anytime you want to pair great beer with good food and friends.
ROASTED TURKEY THIGHS WITH CHRISTMAS ALE GLAZE
Flavorful from-scratch beer infused sauces and dressings have long been a signature at our Cleveland brewpub. With warm cinnamon aromas, sweet molasses flavors, and a tangy ginger finish, Christmas Ale Glaze will gift a festive flourish to your favorite holiday dishes and bring a taste of our pub to your table. Use a little (or a lot!) to kick up your roasted vegetables, pork tenderloin, ham, and more with a festive zip that everyone will enjoy. See how easy it is to use with our simple and delicious Roasted Turkey Thighs with Christmas Ale Glaze recipe. Find bottles of Christmas Ale Glaze at our gift shop, in select retailers throughout Ohio, and online here.
ELIOT NESS AMBER LAGER MUSHROOM GRAVY
Arguably the most important side dish for the holidays (sorry, stuffing), no Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a rich and savory gravy. The smooth and malty Eliot Ness Amber Lager (one of our favorite beers to cook with) is the not-so-secret ingredient in our flavorful Eliot Ness Amber Lager Mushroom Gravy recipe. It’s a gravy so good you may want to pour some in a glass (but we recommend saving a cold beer for that). Get the recipe here.
ROASTED CARROTS WITH DORTMUNDER GOLD HONEY GLAZE
Sweet, tender, and hearty, our Roasted Carrots with Dortmunder Gold Honey Glaze is a side so scrumptious you may forget you’re eating veggies. The best part about making this dish? The recipe saves enough Dortmunder Gold for you to enjoy while you make it! Go ahead, chef… have yourself a sip! Get the recipe here.
HOLY MOSES WHITE ALE ORANGE MARMALADE WITH DINNER ROLLS
This might be our easiest “recipe” yet! Just open a jar of Christmas Ale Strawberry Cranberry & Cinnamon Jam and slather it on your favorite dinner roll for a sweet and citrusy kick. Through a collaborative (and sustainable!) partnership, our friends at Cleveland Jam use low-fills of some of our favorite year-round brews for a variety of beer jams, including the Eliot Ness Fig Apple Jam, Dortmunder Gold Raspberry Jalapeño Jam, and Burning River Pepper Jam. Find them at our gift shop, at select retailers throughout Ohio, and online here.
CHRISTMAS ALE PUMPKIN PIE

A slice and a sip of holiday cheer? Don’t mind if we do! You’ll be happy you saved room for dessert with our beloved Christmas Ale Pumpkin Pie recipe. Prefer an apple pie? We’ve got a recipe for that, too! Now that’s how you slice up a win-win at the dessert table.
Great Lakes Brewing Company Announces Maryland Distribution
October 7 Launch With Backup Beverage Will Serve the State
September 25, 2019 – Cleveland, OH – Great Lakes Brewing Co. (GLBC), now celebrating 31 years of independent craft brewing, announces plans to distribute their award-winning ales and lagers throughout Maryland.
On October 7, Ohio’s original craft brewery will be available throughout the state of Maryland through a partnership with Backup Beverage. While GLBC has deepened and extended their existing distribution territory in recent years, this is the first new state the brewery has opened since 2012.
According to GLBC Regional Sales Manager Mike Friedle, launching in the state of Maryland presents exciting growth opportunities for the brewery. “Maryland has long been a missing piece of our distribution footprint along the East Coast. Previously, those in the area would need to travel to neighboring DC, Virginia, West Virginia, or Pennsylvania to purchase our product. We’re thrilled to finally make our beers available to everyone in the DMV.”
Customers can expect to find GLBC’s year-round family of beers in package and draft: Dortmunder Gold Lager, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, Holy Moses White Ale, Burning River Pale Ale, Great Lakes IPA, Commodore Perry IPA, and Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. GLBC’s seasonal portfolio will also debut in Maryland beginning with the award-winning Oktoberfest and Ohio City Oatmeal Stout in October, and followed by fan favorite Christmas Ale in November.
An official kickoff event is set to take place on October 4 at Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore, prior to the statewide launch which will involve several customer appreciation events, meet-and-greets, tastings, and giveaways. Customers can follow @GLBCinDMV on Twitter and Instagram and visit greatlakesbrewing.com/events for launch event announcements and regular updates.
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About Great Lakes Brewing Co.:
Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) was founded in 1988 by brothers Patrick and Daniel Conway in Cleveland, Ohio. Independent and employee-owned, GLBC is known for its award-winning portfolio of fresh, balanced, and flavorful beers with names and artwork that tell stories of the Great Lakes region. Since its founding, GLBC has remained a principle-centered brewery with a “triple bottom line” philosophy, balancing financial responsibility with social and environmental responsibility. For more information visit greatlakesbrewing.com
About Backup Beverage, LLC:
Based in Frederick, Maryland and servicing the State of Maryland, Backup Beverage, LLC is committed to building brands through Education and Customer Service. “Relationship building is our job and maintaining that trust between our customers and ourselves is paramount.”
Great Lakes Brewing Company is proud to once again be recognized by ERC as one of Northeast Ohio’s 99 best places to work! NorthCoast 99 recognizes great places to work for top performing people that drive results, provide competitive advantages, and allow businesses to innovate and grow. Applicants are evaluated based on policies and practices related to the attraction and retention of top performers, as well as data collected from employee surveys. This is the fifth year GLBC has been honored!
In addition to receiving our fifth NorthCoast 99 Award, we also received the Total Rewards special category award. This award is given to an organization that finds unique ways to align total rewards with employee performance, business results, and/or strategic priorities. We accepted our award at the annual NorthCoast 99 event, celebrating our achievement with a group of GLBC employees representing multiple areas of our company.
We are honored to receive this distinction and stand beside so many wonderful organizations in Northeast Ohio, and we are thankful for our dedicated family of employee co-owners. If you are interested in becoming a part of our outstanding team, visit our Employment Page to browse our current openings. Not seeing any positions that match your skill set but are interested in being notified of future openings? Our Application for Future Positions can be found here.