Willoughby Brewing Company

The Willoughby Brewing Company, although somewhat off the beaten path for residents of Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs, is worth the 25 minute drive out east. It's located in the heart of a bustling entertainment and restaurant district on and around Erie Street.

The WBC, begun in 1998, brews a number of fine beers, with the offerings changing perodically with special seasonal brews and new additions. The Steelcut Oatmeal Stout and Daisy Cutter IPA were among the favorites of the group when we went.

The food is excellent and reasonably priced, and the patio is a nice place to sit and enjoy a late summer evening. The Potato and Cheddar Ale Soup was fantastic, and the Old World Bavarian Pretzels were a big hit.

One note of caution, though--if you're part of a group of guys who tend to get a little bit rowdy, be prepared to feel obligated to leave an enormous tip when the atmosphere and the beer make you a little too comfortable and you start doing all the stupid things you do when you're together at lesser establishments, and the service is still fantastic. Mad props to our waitress for putting up with our foolery.

The Willoughby Brewing Company is located at 4057 Erie Street, Willoughby, Ohio 44094.