Great Lakes Brewing Co., Ohio’s original craft brewery, have partnered with the Cleveland Cavaliers to serve their iconic craft beers in a signature setting for fans attending the more than 200 diverse live events, games and concerts held annually at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. 

Called the “Great Lakes Experience,” the over 1,500 square foot beverage-only taproom located on the main concourse in the South Neighborhood has views to the Cleveland Guardians ballpark Progressive Field and features twelve 55-inch televisions to create a sports bar-like atmosphere. The brewery-style concession will have year-round and seasonal classics on tap, along with a rotating selection of offerings exclusive to the FieldHouse.

The “Great Lakes Experience” will be open for the upcoming slate of games and events at the FieldHouse, including the Cavs Home Opener on October 23rd and the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) Home Opener tomorrow on October 14th.  Throughout the year, the space will be programmed to express holidays, themes and special partnerships.

“Cleveland is home to an amazing craft beer scene, but before all the others, there was Great Lakes Brewing Co.,” said Cavaliers, Rock Entertainment Group and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse CEO, Nic Barlage. “The Great Lakes Experience taproom will be a popular social destination for fans to gather and enjoy the incredible lineup of Great Lakes brews that so many of us know and love. We are proud to welcome the beloved Cleveland institution to the FieldHouse.”

The partnership also makes Great Lakes Brewing Co. the “Official Craft Brewery” of the Cavs. Independent for over 30 years and employee owned since 2018, the Cleveland sudsy staple serves 14 states and Washington D.C. with an award-winning selection of fresh, flavorful, and innovative craft beers. Their ever-popular “Christmas Ale” is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022.

“The Cleveland Cavaliers presented us with an amazing opportunity to be their Official Craft Beer, and a Proud Partner of Cleveland’s premier venue for not only NBA basketball, but AHL hockey, and top tier events,” said Great Lakes Brewing Co. Vice President, Sales, Chris Brown. “The Great Lakes Experience at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be a real jewel of the partnership, showcasing our classic and innovative new brands in a fresh, high energy atmosphere. As Cleveland’s #1 craft beer brand and the top brand in all of Ohio, we are always looking for opportunities to strengthen our hometown impact. Aligning our independent craft brewery with such a competitive young team in our hometown, while being able to utilize the Cavaliers marks in many of our top markets, is exciting. We are thrilled to join forces with the Cavaliers and dig into all of the opportunities that this partnership presents.”

In addition, the new partnership will also mark the launch of a Cavs and Great Lakes Brewing Co. network of bars across the region. For participating establishments, the Cavs and Great Lakes Brewing Co. will provide all the necessities to create the ultimate fan destination to watch Cavs games this upcoming season. More information to come soon.