In the latest evidence of the Cleveland market's significance in the craft beer world, Lakewood, N.Y.-based Southern Tier Brewing Co. has announced plans for a new brewery and tasting room in the Gateway District in the heart of downtown expected to open sometime this spring.

The facility will be at 811 Prospect Ave. East — which is across from The Winking Lizard and just south of Euclid Avenue — and will feature local specialty beers dubbed "Cleveland Brew'd," the company said, as well as the full portfolio of Southern Tier beers.

The new brewery will bring experimental and innovative products, such as their barrel-aged and sour beers, right to consumers. There's to be a barrel-aging basement lounge and weekly events.

"Cleveland is only two hours from our flagship brewery," said Phin DeMink, founder and chief operating officer of Southern Tier, in a statement. "Since we opened our doors (in 2002), we've really appreciated the number of people from Cleveland who have visited us in Lakewood, so I couldn't be happier to open a brewery there. The neighborhood is fun, has a lot going on, and it's close to the Indians and Cavs. I can't wait to get in there and start brewing really cool beer."

Southern Tier has been in distribution in Ohio since 2008. The state is one of its "largest and most loyal markets," according to the company. The brewery partnered with Superior Beverage Group of Solon in March 2016, expanding distribution in the Cleveland market.

"Cleveland is already one of the top craft beer markets in the country. We couldn't be more excited to have a top-notch partner such as Southern Tier willing to make such a significant investment in our own backyard," said Superior senior vice president Jason Edwards in a statement. "Southern Tier's emphasis on quality and innovation are certain to have a positive effect on the world class craft beer foundation that Cleveland has been building for decades."

The space Southern Tier will occupy is the former location of 811 Kitchen Bar Lounge, which RED Restaurant Group opened just ahead of the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2016 and closed last June after barely a year in business. At the time, Jonathan Gross, president and CFO of RED, said the company was closing to redesign the restaurant in that space. They were expecting to open sometime last fall, but that never happened. RED Restaurant Group also operates Moxie in Beachwood and Red, the Steakhouse locations in Beachwood, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Miami Beach, Fla.

"Having enjoyed many visits, we're thrilled to call Cleveland home to our newest innovation brewery and tasting room," added John Coleman, CEO of Artisanal Brewing Ventures, parent company of Southern Tier and Victory Brewing Co. of Downington, Pa., in a statement. "We look forward to being an active member of the local community and inviting Cleveland to participate in our innovation process."

Following expansions between 2009 and 2013, Southern Tier said it now ships more than 100,000 barrels of beer annually to 33 states. The company also created Southern Tier Distilling Co. in 2015. It makes about 40 different beers annually today, according to its online beer portfolio.

The brewery joins an increasingly crowded craft beer market here. According to The Brewers Association, there are 212 craft breweries in Ohio today.