RADIO HANNIBAL

Great Lakes Christmas Ale

I've been a big fan of Great Lakes Beer since they started 20 years ago.  In fact, they've just wrapped up anniversary festivities. 
Being a life long Clevelander it's not unusual that I know the owners and that's a nice touch, knowing who makes your favorite beer. 
Their most popular seasonal brew is Christmas Ale.  It is a very potent ale.  So much so, that folks have been known to call it Christmas Jail.  Drinking too many may land you there.
Now comes an ode to Christmas Ale.  Don't know who the two guys are and am trying to place the barrooms featured. 
Cheers!

Gorgeous Irish bars

So, it seems there's a battle over who can make the best Irish bar on the west side of Cleveland.  The brothers that own the long established Treehouse in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland have started a sort of one upsmanship. 
Opening a couple of months ago was PJ McIntyre's at the southeast corner of Rocky River Dr. and Lorain Ave.  The fixtures and design is gorgeous.  And though I've never been to Ireland, to my mind, it has a very authentic feel.  It has a huge oval bar and even more impressive stone fireplace at the back of the large room.  Bands take the stage in front of fireplace. 
Other cool things include free wi-fi and Irish breakfast served all day long.
Not to be outdone is Stone Mad at the corner W.65th and Herman Ave.  We headed there on St. Patrick's Day after being misinformed that it had opened.  It is still under construction but we did get the nickel tour.  It's a beautiful space with considerable dollars being spent.  The front area is the pub room with dark woods and a very clubby feel.  The middle area is a wine bar room which will be more quiet and  romantic.  In the back of the building there is the dining area  complete with a sunken, regulation bocce ball court. The bathrooms in the basement have intricate mosaic tiled walls.   Outdoors is a unique stone patio with outdoor fireplace.  An old house at the back of the patio is to be incorporated and the front porch used as a stage for bands.  I'm not sure what they'll do about noise problems since it's in a neighborhood. 
Here's a story from the current Cleveland Magazine.
The bottom line is that while we here in Cleveland hear news story after news story about how this area is dying with the population decreasing at a steady rate and the economy tanking, some still believe in our town and are willing to take a risk.  Here's to their success.