Portside Distillery

Limited food menu– the artichoke dip was delicious though. Decent drink list. Would like to see more options for food but what we had was good.

I went here last week for happy hour and got a couple drinks. The IPA was fairly standard. I also had a stout which had a nice flavor, but didn’t a very «creamy» texture. Overall, I liked the atmosphere. The place has a very cool, low key vibe. I’m sure I will be back soon.

Came here for happy hour after work. Overall good vibe in this building repurposed as a distillery and brewery. Decent house brews and bar snacks. It’s not mind blowing but I like it! It’s a great alternative to the bars in the warehouse district. The location is prime, truly Portside and just down the street from the new Flats East Bank developments.
They have a parking lot for patrons so finding parking shouldn’t be difficult.

My husband and I were really excited to hang out, have a little food, and enjoy some beer at Portside. We had looked at the menu before, decided on some beer samples, etc… We were looking forward to a good time.
When we walked in we noticed there is no sign that says to seat yourself or wait for the hostess or anything. So we awkwardly stood there for a minute until my husband poked his head in to the kitchen, which is right by the entrance. There was a woman right there putting together sandwiches so he asked her if we could just find a place. She responded with no friendliness that yes we could seat ourselves.
It was pretty crowded, no room at the bar or any tables in the main room, but if you keep walking back there is whole other room with about 10 tables. We passed the bar and maybe 3 employees on our way back there, with no greetings or acknowledgement.
We were the only ones back there but we picked a table right by the doorway so the employees could still see us. One particular waitress was helping a table within a few feet of us, she very clearly saw us. We proceeded to sit for about 15 minutes with nobody saying a word to us. Needless to say we grumpily left.
Will never return and will definitely not recommend to anyone.

Pretty solid spot, and it’s cool they have in house beer and liquor, to satisfy different types of local beverage seekers. But other than that, nothing stood out. Solid but unspectacular pricey beers, and pretty normal kind of flavorless rum, like a vodka. Clean, solid drinks, but just that.
Worth checking out, but not a new favorite

Wonderful craft beers, the hoppiest IPA anywhere. I tried one of the rums too and loved it.
The food menu is simple, but service if friendly and competent. I will have to go back and try more of the menu and more «Man-​O-​War IPA».

My friends and I came here during a Cleveland brewery crawl and I loved the beers here the best! I did order a Rum flight just because but in the future I will stick to sampling beers. The rum was good but too strong for my tastebuds. The beer here is outstanding! I love how many beers there were to choose from and my top 2 favorites are Walk the Plank Wheat Wine (beer mixed with wine… yes please!) and the Mayo Irish Red Ale.

This brewry has the widest variety of beers of the Cleveland brewry scene plus house made rum. I also like the location in the rebirth of the flats. Our server was also super knowledgable about the beer. They are missing a patio and the fresh air feeling on an awesome summer day.

I want to start by saying this review is only for their beer I have yet to visit their actual location. I picked up a six pack of their vanilla stout at Heinen’s. It was absolutely awesome. I am a stout and porter guy lost in a sea of hipster IPA beers and this beer may have saved me. If you like stouts you should give this a try chances are it will be one of three stout choices you’ll have at your local grocery.

Meh, that’s about it.
Came on a Thursday, not crowded, very disappointed by service. They seemed to take their time getting to me (money in hand at the bar) I asked for the daily drink specials (happy hour), 1 they were out of (then don’t state it on the menu), the second they could not get to pour right (whatever that means) and that left me with 1 other, A Kolsch Ale.eh. (mind you, they have plenty of beer available, but the point of happy hour is to enjoy a cheaper drink)
The whole atmosphere seems depressing, and again not impressed with their service, if the bar is empty, I should not have to wait a few minutes for a drink. If I didn’t have morals, I would not have tipped. It just seems like this whole business is barely staying afloat.
Will not visit again

Hmmm… I should be embarrassed to admit how much I drank, but I am not. The bartenders brought their ‘A’ game. I was impressed with their knowledge on beer and rum choices. I am hoping that Portside is kicking off a revitalization of this area. This establishment is well deserving of a packed bar every night of the week.

Great beer and rum! We had one of their version of a mojito, not a Miami mojito that I am used to, but a great change! We ordered the artichoke dip, really good! We were really happy we made it over here, neat place.

In a city full of great craft beer, how do you differentiate? Well, you serve rum, of course.
The beer here is great, don’t get me wrong. It’s fantastic. But the rum is equally awesome, and uniquely different. With different types of spiced rums, hop infused rum, it’s a different went to get your buzz on.
Not sure what the complaints are — the location might not be the greatest, and the food is mediocre, but that’s what you’re here for. Good beer, good rum, and a few TVs. Sign me up. I’ll be back if I’m back in Cleveland.

Yep. Officially disappointed with Portside. They had what seemed like, only one bartender working the night I went and he was very insufficient. The bar was not packed at all yet for some reason I kept getting skipped to order a drink.
Finally, after jumping up and down and waving my arms around like an idiot for 10 minutes, they took my order. After I got my beer I asked him to close my tab out which he failed to do. I stood there for another 10 minutes trying so hard to grab his attention (again waving my hands in the air like an idiot) until finally I found someone else that worked there to go and close my tab.
I really tried to like this place. The beer is actually pretty decent and the prices aren’t bad. Just can’t stand their service.

Worst mojito I have ever had, do they know what they are doing?
There was no syrup in it, it was just flat alcohol with soda, very nasty;
presentation wise, it was horrible as well. There was a shrunken leave «hanging» on the glass, was that supposed to be the garnish?

I was waiting all fall/​winter for this place to open. i checked it out last night. sampled 8 of their beers and 3 of their rums. they have a unique selection of beer and rum. The tasting portions are very reasonably priced. My favorite beers were the big chuck barleywine ale, their christmas ale («yule shoot your rye out»), and the vanilla porter. the smokey ales and the sour lager were very interesting, unique, and high quality, but just not my thing. I am a beer guy, but the rum is amazing. i tried the vanilla maple, the spice rum, and the hoppy rum. you can also buy bottles on site or at giant eagle, apparently. ive had their beer at local restaurants before but to have a local brewery down the street is awesome! Portside just opened their tasting room and the wors isnt quite out yet. I am going to enjoy this little gem in my backyard as much as i can before the word gets out. To watch the cavs games or just for a cool place to have a few drinks with friends. This will definitely be a stop for any out of town guests of mine. I know before long this place is going to be packed every weekend. I cannot even imagine the crowds that will be their for browns games as it has a direct view of the stadium a quarter of a mile away.
My only recommendation is to write the name of the beers/​rums on the coaster with a marker for each drink tasted. it is hard to remember which drink is which after i have had a few drinks. And for guys like me who use the «untapd» beer app, I definitely want to know which beer is which as i rate them.

I’ve gotta get this off my chest. People that visit a brewery tap room and then bitch about the «limited menu» or make comments like «I’ll be back when they’ve got a full menu» have no freakin’ idea what the hell a brewery tap room is. Most tap rooms don’t serve food of any kind, so Portside’s already a step ahead. Allow me to educate — It’s about the beer. Period. Want food? Go to a restaurant.
The small tasting room/​taphouse for Portside Brewery & Distillery — or Distillery/​Brewery if you’re more a spirits fan — was awhile in the making. They (re)opened their doors in mid-​January 2015 with an expanded, more beer-​centric space and the crowds have been quite appreciative. As I said in my earlier rant, a brewery tap room is a showcase of their beer. This is where Portside doesn’t disappoint.
We paid them a visit on a Saturday afternoon sometime around 2 and it was pretty chill. A couple folks sitting at the bar. I’m sure the shitty Cleveland weather had something to do with it. Whatever the case, there are a few large tables, a bar that seats around 10 and a couple of smaller tables. It’s a small spot and I’m sure it gets crowded quickly. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual and the brewery and distillery are in clear sight. There’s no doubting why it is that you’re there.
Portside starting as a distillery so it should come as no surprise to find rum and rum-​based drinks on their menu. I’m not into spirits myself but during our visit my wife enjoyed some sort of mixed drink with thyme in it. She liked it. I didn’t. I was there for the beer. And beer there is. 14 taps were flowing that day. I wanted a flight of all of them. My wife (thankfully) talked me out of it. Sometimes I think I’m still in college and not 40. Anyway, they offer a handful of pre-​built flights to help with your decision. I don’t think it really matters. Just get a beer. You can’t go wrong. Being a distillery you’ll find plenty of barrel-​aged beers, too.
Because it’s probably some kind of law in Ohio that brewery taprooms offer some kind of food, Portside meets the requirement with a selection of munchies. Sugar-​coated and spiced popcorn with peanuts, deviled eggs, hummus, soft pretzels… you get the idea. Just some stuff to help soak up the booze during your stay. I should have gotten the soft pretzels. The Crack’R Jak was ok.
I don’t have to say much about the service. Our bartenders were kind and attentive. Beers were filled drinks were mixed. Expectations were met.
Portside doesn’t have a very large distribution footprint. Actually, I don’t think they make it that far outside of northeast Ohio. So if you want to try some of the most unique and innovative craft beer being brewed in Cleveland — and Ohio — you need to stop in after work sometime for their happy hour and take a tour of their taps.
P.S.
Hey Portside, if you’re reading this, how about putting your menu on Facebook or your website. Somewhere, man. A guy’s gotta know.

Checked this place out last night for a couple of beers. Had the winter warmer and their double ipa. Both were very good. Bartenders were nice and the atmosphere is great. Will definitely be back to try the rum.

The wait for this place to open was well worth it! The space is surprisingly large for being in a basement, and the exposed brick/​stone makes it a cool spot to put down some good beer.
Speaking of the beer, their selection is fantastic. Easily on par with the breweries in Ohio City. All beers are 5 – 7 dollars and most of them pack a punch alcohol wise.
There is no designated parking, but there is ample street parking, and one can easily find a spot even on a weekend (Until the secret is out that this place is really cool).
The service was fantastic, and the entire staff was friendly. They are really passionate about their craft (pun intended), and it shows.
Did not get to try any food, but their menu was mainly focused on nicks that pair well with beers. Basically stuff that soaks up the alcohol.
I will definitely be going back!

Great craft beer. Try the Pop Smoke and get the pretzels. Waiting for a larger dinner menu.