Ohio City is the hub for breweries in Cleveland and the rest of Ohio. In this urban area lies Great Lakes Brewing Company, Market Garden Brewery and Nano Brew. Soon these breweries will welcome the Hansa Import Haus, a Slovenian restaurant that will brew Slovenian beer. Unsurprisingly, a fifth brewery will be opening up over the summer.

This fifth brewery will be called Platform Beer Co., and will open on Ohio City’s Lorain Ave. Paul Benner, owner of Tremont’s Cleveland Brew Shop, and Justin Carson, owner of JC BeerTech Ltd. have joined forces to open this new company.

The brewery got its name because of the platform it provides for homebrewers to brew their beer on location. Patrons will have the opportunity to enroll in a 12-week educational program in which they will learn how to run a brewery. After completing the program, patrons can brew their own small batch beer, which will be sold on draft at Platform.

This former bowling alley will not have its own restaurant or kitchen, but will instead host various food trucks and guest caters.

Shaun Yasaki, head brewmaster, said “Our brewery will be similar to breweries on the west coast where we emphasize the beer over the food.”

Yasaki, former brewer at Fat Head’s, stated that he intends to have “five to six” Platform beers at the June opening, and eventually would like to have up to twelve.

“I would like patrons to come and expect to try something new on draft,” Yasaki said.

Platform will also have an open beer garden over the summer where patrons can enjoy Cleveland’s summer weather and try some grub from the food trucks. The owners also intend to have live music throughout the year.

The Plum, a café and bistro, will be opening shortly next to Platform, and will bring additional industry and traffic to the area.