Beer, Food, and Waterfront Views at Collision Bend Brewing #ThisisCLE

Greetings, Great Beer Now fans and followers! This is the eighth and final entry in a multi- part series of blog posts relating to the Great Beer Now Rock and Roll Out the Barrel Beer Tour, which took place in Cleveland, Ohio. I traversed the Cleveland, Ohio area making my way to some of the best known and most award- winning breweries in the United States, along with several hidden gems and up- and- comers. Open a can or bottle of your favorite beer and follow along on my journey through one of Ohio’s largest cities. Cheers!

Water is alluring. I’m not talking about the water we drink, although it does have significance to the brewing of beer. No, I am talking about bodies of water, whether they are lakes, oceans, rivers, or bayous. A waterfront view can enhance most any food and beverage experience and one establishment that takes its waterfront location seriously is Collision Bend Brewing, a brewing and dining establishment located at 1250 Old River Rd. in Cleveland, Ohio.

Around the Bend

Collision Bend Brewing is located on the banks of the Cuyahoga River and takes its name from the often treacherous twists and turns of the river and the frequent accidents that occurred in the past as ships tried to navigate and sometimes ended up colliding with a bridge or hitting another ship. Today, the river is much safer for navigation and, through its naming, Collision Bend Brewing honors the river’s past reputation while also reminding guests of Cleveland’s economic progress as a post- industrial era city.

This brewery is every bit a restaurant as much as a place that brews beer and the inside has a look that is more in line with that of a nice restaurant. The brick exterior and interior keep the industrial memories alive but there are also contemporary elements, like the bright yellow, upholstered bar stools that provide an interesting contrast. There is a nice outdoor patio, too, where you can sit and take in the fresh air while watching the occasional barge slowly make its way down the river, carefully navigating those hairpin turns.

Collision Bend Brewing serves Southern California street food to accompany the hand crafted beer, with salads, pizza, sandwiches, and other small plate items, as well as dessert. They serve Saturday and Sunday brunch also, perfect for a midday weekend break.

Beer with a View

Collision Bend serves about 12 of its own beers on tap, along with bottles and cans of competitor’s beers. Here is a listing of the beers I tried, listed alphabetically by name, followed by the style and my Untappd rating on a five point scale:

• Blu Lu, Double IPA, 4.25
• 8 Crazy Nights, Winter Ale, 4.25
• Lake Erie Sunset, Pale Wheat Ale, 4.25
• Negative Gravity, Brut IPA, 4
• Orpheus, Red IPA, 4.5
• Red Moon Rising, Rauchbier, 3.75
• Saison De Bruell, Saison, 4
• Sixth City Alt, Altbier, 4

Overall Average Rating: 4.13

I really liked the beer I tried at Collision Bend Brewing. Orpheus Red IPA was the standout for me, but I also found Lake Erie Sunset, 8 Crazy Nights, and Blu Lu noteworthy and deserving of a second helping.

Waterfront Food and Brew

Collision Bend Brewing is one of Cleveland’s many breweries/brewpubs to open in the past few years and it is one of the few among them to take advantage of the abundance of waterfront in Cleveland to enhance the guest experience.  Knowing that this brewery was part of the waterfront, in the famous Cleveland “Flats” area, was enough to convince me to add it to my visitation list.

With Collision Bend, guests get a combination brewery and full- service restaurant and this makes it perfect for families and others who may not necessarily be in the mood to drink beer, but are nevertheless hungry and/or wanting a beverage of a different sort. Collision Bend Brewing serves wine and specialty cocktails from its bar and the well- trained bartenders are ready to shake up whatever you want, served either inside the main dining area or out on the patio where you can watch the ships cruising by and the seagulls soaring high.

The beer brewed at Collision Bend Brewing is certainly one of its top selling points and a large part of the reason is the man behind the mash tun, brewmaster Luke Purcell. If you are familiar with Cleveland craft beer, then there is a good chance you already know this name. Luke Purcell was the head brewer at Great Lakes Brewing for many years and was largely responsible for its rise to prominence. At Collision Bend Brewing, Purcell continues his brewing prowess, crafting delicious suds and working with the chefs to create beer that complements the foods on the menu, for the ultimate dining and drinking experience.

When I visited Collision Bend Brewing, I was aware of its waterfront credentials, but knew little else about the establishment. I took a quick liking when I walked inside. I loved the contrasting traditional and contemporary elements and I loved the patio next to the river. I did get to witness a barge passing by and the hundreds of seagulls that followed. The patio is definitely the place to be when the weather is nice but no matter where you happen to take a seat, Collision Bend Brewing staff is ready to make your visit memorable. I visited during a slower time of the day and I was given extremely attentive service from the wait staff. They filled me in on the history and the future of Collision Bend Brewing and I learned much about the Cleveland craft beer scene and its steady rise as a contributor to the local economy.

Water does make a difference when you’re enjoying food and beer. Collision Bend Brewing’s waterfront status on the banks of the Cuyahoga help enhance an already memorable experience, adding new layers of enjoyment to what is already a solid foundation. It has the great beer, food, views, and atmosphere that today’s consumer demands so be sure to visit Collision Bend Brewery the next time you’re in the Cleveland, Ohio area. And tell them Great Beer Now sent you.