Birdtown Brewing to Open This Spring in Lakewood (Really)

It’s been 12 years since the Lakewood Planning Commission gave its blessing to the developers behind Birdtown Brewing (2035 Quail St.), who petitioned to convert St. Gregory the Theologian Catholic Church in Lakewood into a brewery and restaurant. When we first shared the story, the estimated date of arrival was summer of 2015.

The lengthy delays were worth it, says management.

“This is exactly what we had in mind,” says Ryan Grammerstorf, who has been attached to the project since day one. “And we’re glad we waited, because we fine-tuned over the years what we really wanted it to be. But we couldn’t be more excited about what we’re doing and everything about this.”

Despite years of radio silence, the owners have been making piecemeal progress here and there. In 2017, they imported and installed the brewing equipment from Deutsche Beverage from North Carolina. Things really picked up speed over the past 12 months, with the addition of the bar, new stained-glass windows and panoramic murals.

In many ways, the 100-year-old Byzantine Gothic Revival church resembles a timeworn Irish pub thanks to structural elements like pointed arches, dark woods and stained glass. A new 32-foot live-edge bartop runs the length of one side while the brewhouse sits front and center atop the former sanctuary.

There is seating for 260 guests up, down and outside on a freshly built patio. A lower-level barroom offers views into the cellar, home to the brite tanks and serving tanks. The bartop and tables downstairs are constructed from the former Lakewood High School gymnasium floor.

Head brewer Zach DelPriore will offer “something for everybody,” with a mix of classic ales, lagers and seltzers.

To avoid the pitfalls of many small breweries, Grammerstorf says, “We’re going to focus on our four walls and keep people here and well-fed.”

For the first time in 70 years, Geraci’s pizza will be available on Cleveland’s west side, with whole pies being paired with pub-style fare like chicken wings, burgers and more, all coming from a newly built kitchen.

“The partnership brings together family legacy and craft brewing, built on shared values of food, community and service,” says Geraci’s president Bucky Spoth.

Those thick-cut pepperoni pizzas will be available for pick-up as well.

Look for Birdtown Brewing to open in late-March or early-April.