Brewnuts

Brewnuts' mouth-watering doughnuts made with craft beer have landed the company on CNN's list of intriguing things to see and do in 2016.

(Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - CNN has included a unique Cleveland business - Brewnuts - as a key reason to visit the city in 2016.

Unlike many best-of lists that give the usual suspects (Rock Hall, Metroparks, Lake Erie), CNN's compilation mentions Brewnuts, which is in the process of opening in the Gordon Square Arts District.

Owner Shelley Pippin said she and her husband John were "super-thrilled" when they found out.

"It's funny because we had been in touch with them via email," she said. "Someone from CNN had reached out and asked for general information. We were in the throes of our kickstarter campaign.

"I sent them the info and I didn't hear from them, then they reached out for some images. We thought they were probably profiling Cleveland for the upcoming (Republication National) Convention."

Then a friend tagged Pippin online and said 'Shelley, this is awesome,' she said.

"Once I clicked on it and saw what the copy was about I was super-excited," Pippin said. "I was surprised, to be honest."

The list brings together traditional, serious and impish items. Seattle and Baltimore are mentioned, as are Alaska's national parks, art in Chicago and an educational tour of Pearl Harbor, marking the 75th anniversary of the attack.

But the Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail in New Mexico also piqued CNN's interest, as did the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama.

For Cleveland, CNN notes the recent Flats East Bank development, the Public Square renovation and the upcoming political convention:

"But what's got us really intrigued is the marriage of two great nutritional groups: beer and doughnuts.

"Brewnuts started as a beer-flavored doughnut venture and is about to become a flagship doughnut-themed bar where brews used in the baking will be available on draft. Of course, concoctions like maple bacon bourbon ale doughnuts will also be served fresh from the fryer.

"Located in the Gordon Square Arts District of the trendy Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, the bar is expected to open in early spring."

"A friend said 'You're right up there with Van Gogh,' " Pippin said. It's humbling, really."

Brewnuts, which recently completed a successful kickstarter campaign, uses craft beer - another Cleveland favorite - in their baking process.

Here's the full list with details and photos: