Local sourcing of ingredients is one of Chipotle’s focuses on our Food With Integrity journey. In Cleveland, Ohio we are taking our local sourcing efforts one step further. Today, we proudly announce that we’re now serving Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Dortmunder Gold in 44 of our Cleveland area restaurants.

Great Lakes Brewing Company was Ohio’s first brewpub to open after prohibition and has grown to the 18th largest in the country.

Walking into the brewery is a celebration of the past and a dedication to a more sustainable future.

The brewery occupies buildings constructed as early as 1872 in the area that formerly housed the Schlather Brewing Company, a brewery that closed during Prohibition.

Pat and Dan Conway started GLBC in 1988 and Dortumunder Gold was among the first beers they brewed. In their first year of operation, they produced 1000 barrels of beer. In 2013, they crafted over 146,000 barrels!

Since both Chipotle and Great Lakes Brewing Company have put a focus on a more sustainable future, our partnership just makes sense. For example, the brewery’s brewpub uses sustainable materials, energy efficient lighting, and sources local ingredients for their recipes.

Sourcing locally for the brewpub is as super important to Great Lakes Brewing Company as it is for Chipotle. For example, the Ohio City Farm is a six acre urban farm just down the street from the brewery that overlooks the city of Cleveland. The brewpub sources vegetables and herbs for their menu and hops for their beers from this farm.

Okay, so we’ve talked about why this makes sense, but let’s focus on the beer.

Dortmunder is the gold standard of German Lagers. No, really, it is. This lager has won 12 gold medals at the American Beer Championships and four gold medals at the World Beer Championships.

When you visit on of our restaurants serving Dortmunder Gold, remember it’s best paired with salads and chicken.

Cheers!