If you've driven East 185th through Collinwood and stopped at Two Friends Brewing for a pint, you're drinking beer that started in a garage. Dan Malz and Ozimba Anyangwe met while working as chemists for the Cleveland Division of Water. They spent years brewing together at home, perfecting recipes and sharing what they made with friends. When they decided to open a brewery, they chose the former Cleveland Brewery space next door to The Standard, expanded into the adjoining unit, and built a 100-seat taproom. The brewery opened on March 7, 2025, and Malz had been away from the business for almost a decade. He had brewed and distilled at Portside in the Flats until 2016. Portside closed the following year, and Malz told Cleveland Magazine that he had been quietly plotting his return ever since. Two Friends is that return.
Two Friends Brewing. Photo: Untappd.
The Founders and the Name
Malz and Anyangwe are the "two friends" behind the name. They met while working as chemists for the Cleveland Division of Water. Cleveland Magazine quoted them saying that after years of brewing together in a garage, perfecting recipes, and sharing their creations with friends, they decided to bring their vision to life in Cleveland's vibrant Collinwood district. Malz runs the brewing side. He told the magazine that he enjoys making beer and that it is a hobby that makes him happy. The plan from the start was to sell most of the beer on premises rather than through distribution. Malz said they want to be a neighborhood brewery. Fans of Portside's 216 Pale Ale can expect something in a similar vein. The brewery also cans and bottles for retail, but the focus is on the taproom.
The duo acquired the Cleveland Brewery building in 2023, according to the brewery's about page. The Cleveland Brewery had operated at the East 185th location before relocating to Waterloo Road in 2022. Malz and Anyangwe transformed the space into what the about page describes as a modern haven for beer enthusiasts. The interior includes custom lighting by The Glass Asylum, a cozy lounge area for groups, and air hockey and arcade games. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association lists the brewery's amenities as a taproom, beer to go, brewery tours, food trucks, outdoor seating, private event space, live music, and that it is child-friendly and dog-friendly.
The Space and Collinwood
Two Friends sits at 775-777 East 185th Street in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood. The address puts it in the heart of a stretch that has seen steady development. The Standard is next door, and Irie Jamaican Kitchen is nearby. The about page notes that the surrounding area offers a rich selection, including those two spots along with rotating food trucks. You grab a beer at Two Friends and either order from a truck or walk to one of the neighborhood spots. The model works for a taproom that wants to stay focused on beer.
Collinwood has a long history as an industrial and residential neighborhood on Cleveland's East Side. East 185th runs through a commercial corridor that has drawn new businesses over the past several years. When Malz and Anyangwe took over the building, the space had already housed a brewery, so the infrastructure was in place. They expanded into the adjoining unit to create what Cleveland Magazine described as a spacious 100-seat bar. The sleek interior, custom lighting from The Glass Asylum, and the lounge area give the taproom a modern feel. The arcade games and air hockey add a casual, hangout vibe that fits the neighborhood brewery concept.
The Beer: Twelve Taps, a 3.5-Barrel System, and a Wide Range
Two Friends operates a 3.5-barrel brewing system with a one-barrel setup for small-batch and experimental beers. The brewery's about page explains that the one-barrel rig is dedicated to creations that might not make it to the main lineup. Beer moves from fermenters to bright tanks and then into kegs. Cleveland Magazine reported that Malz brews on a 3-barrel system with a collection of 1-barrel fermenters. The brewery website uses 3.5-barrel, and we are using that as the current figure. With twelve taps, the lineup rotates. The about page says to expect everything from pilsners and IPAs to barrel-aged beers, including smoked brown ales and imperial stouts.
The current menu, which the brewery notes is subject to change, includes Catcher in the Rye Pale Ale at 6.5%, Standard Kolsch at 5.5%, and Danny Greene Red Irish Ale at 5%. Danny Greene is brewed with Red X malt and East Kent Goldings hops. Untappd describes it as a traditional malty red Irish ale named after the iconic Collinwood folk figure Danny Greene. The menu notes that it has a rich ruby hue and is balanced by earthy, floral hop notes. Hot Love sits at 9% ABV. Barbe Rouge is a 9.5% imperial IPA double dry hopped with French hops. The menu describes it as a must-have for hop lovers. Critical Night is a 12% imperial stout aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels. E. 185th St. IPA is a 7% classic IPA that the menu says balances hoppy bitterness with a refreshing malt backbone. Mo O' Dat IPA clocks in at 8.4%. Purple Haze is 4.2%. Grace's Hefeweizen is 4.5%. Black Widow Cider is a 6% fruit-forward tart cider with blueberries and freshly pressed New York apples. This Is Critical is a 12% barleywine, half aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels and half in Bliss maple bourbon barrels, served on nitro. The menu calls it dark, malty, and rich. Flights run four 5-ounce pours of your choice, and pricing varies by ABV. Higher-alcohol options like Critical Night and This Is Critical carry a slight upcharge.
Critical Night imperial stout. Photo: LoveBeer725, Untappd.
On Untappd, Two Friends has a 3.87 rating with over 1,167 ratings across 39 beers. Critical Night has a 4.11 rating with 27 ratings. Danny Greene Red Irish Ale has a 3.76 with 51 ratings. The brewery made its public debut at Winter Warmer Fest on March 1, 2025, at Windows on the River, pouring Maple Barleywine, Honey Wheatwine, Imperial Stout, and Imperial IPA before the taproom opened. Cleveland Magazine noted that beer fans did not have to wait until the official opening to try the beer. Flights let you sample four 5-ounce pours of your choice. The brewery also offers Athletic non-alcoholic beer, Heart Cider from Market Garden, sparkling water, juice, soda, and snacks.
Food, Hours, and the Neighborhood Model
Two Friends does not have a kitchen. The brewery relies on food trucks and nearby restaurants. Irie Jamaican Kitchen and The Standard are the two spots the about page calls out. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association lists food trucks as an amenity. The model keeps the operation focused on beer and keeps the space flexible. You can bring food in, order from a truck, or step out for a bite and come back.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 3 to 9 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. The phone number is (216) 471-8947. The brewery has participated in the Cleveland Brewery Passport and appears on This Is Cleveland, the city's official tourism site. Destination Cleveland describes Two Friends as a welcoming space to enjoy great beer, connect, and share stories, with twelve rotating taps and beers crafted to bring people together. The Ohio Craft Brewers Association lists reservations as an amenity, so if you are planning a group visit or a private event, it is worth calling ahead. The outdoor seating gives you a place to sit when the weather cooperates, and the dog-friendly policy means you can bring your pup. Non-beer drinkers have options, including non-alcoholic beer, cider, and sparkling water.
What Patrons Say
The Untappd check-ins tell the story. People are drinking Danny Greene, Critical Night, Mo O' Dat, Grace's Hefeweizen, and the rotating taps at the brewery. Daniel Calloway checked in Danny Greene at Two Friends in March 2026. Sloan Zimmerman had the Black Widow Cider, Hedonic Treadmill Wheat Ale, Oshie, One Year Anniversary Ale, Grace's Hefeweizen, and East 185th Street IPA on a Monday visit. Rex had a flight that included Critical Night, Mo O' Dat Double IPA, E. 185th IPA, Oshie, Hot Love, and Two Friends Gimme Dat. Chris DePolo had Critical Night and Mo O' Dat on draft. Louis Jones had the East 185th Street IPA and Two Friends Gimme Dat. The fact that people are coming in for flights and trying multiple beers suggests the lineup has enough variety to hold interest. The brewery has been open for about a year, and the check-ins show a steady stream of visitors. The one-barrel experimental setup means limited releases and one-offs cycle through. Beers like Hedonic Treadmill Wheat Ale, Oshie, and One Year Anniversary Ale show up on the board alongside the core lineup. If you see something unfamiliar, it might be a small-batch run that will not last long.
Danny Greene Red Irish Ale. Photo: Daniel Calloway, Untappd.
Practical Stuff
Two Friends Brewing is at 775-777 East 185th Street, Cleveland, OH 44119. Phone: (216) 471-8947. Hours: Monday through Thursday 3 to 9 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
If it is your first visit, get a flight to sample the range. Danny Greene and Standard Kolsch are good starting points for something approachable. Critical Night and This Is Critical are there if you want something bigger. E. 185th St. IPA and Mo O' Dat work for hop fans. The brewery offers beer to go. The menu suggests calling ahead at (216) 471-8947 if you want to know whether a specific beer is on tap, since the lineup changes. Check the website or social media for food truck schedules and events. They have outdoor seating, and the Ohio Craft Brewers Association lists them as dog-friendly and child-friendly. Private events and reservations are available. Two Friends has been featured in the Cleveland Brewery Passport, so check the current year's pass if you are collecting stamps.
Bottom Line
Two Friends Brewing opened in March 2025 after almost a decade of Malz being out of the brewing business. He and Anyangwe built it from years of garage brewing and a shared vision for a neighborhood taproom. The space in the former Cleveland Brewery building gives them room for a 100-seat bar, arcade games, air hockey, and a lounge. The beer runs from pilsners and kölsch to imperial stouts and barrel-aged barleywine. They do not serve food, but food trucks and nearby spots like Irie Jamaican Kitchen and The Standard fill that gap. The tap list rotates, and the 3.5-barrel system with a one-barrel experimental rig means there is always something new. For Collinwood and anyone passing through East 185th, Two Friends has become a place to stop for a pint and a flight.
You will find them at 775-777 East 185th Street. Get a flight, try Danny Greene and Critical Night, and check the board for what is on tap.
Sources
Trattner, Douglas. "Two Friends Brewing To Open Its Doors in the Collinwood District on March 7." Cleveland Magazine. February 14, 2025. https://clevelandmagazine.com/food-drink/articles/two-friends-brewing-to-open-its-doors-in-the-collinwood-district-on-march-7 (Accessed March 2026).
About Us. Two Friends Brewing. https://twofriendsbrewing.com/about-us/ (Accessed March 2026).
Our Menu. Two Friends Brewing. https://twofriendsbrewing.com/menu/ (Accessed March 2026).
Two Friends Brewing. Ohio Craft Brewers Association. https://ohiocraftbeer.org/breweries/two-friends-brewing-in-planning/ (Accessed March 2026).
Two Friends Brewing. Untappd. https://untappd.com/TwoFriendsBrewing (Accessed March 2026).
Two Friends Brewing. This Is Cleveland / Destination Cleveland. https://thisiscleveland.com/locations/two-friends-brewing (Accessed March 2026).