John Carroll University and the John Carroll Alumni Association are proud to announce the re-release of 1886 John Carroll Lager, the official beer of the John Carroll alumni community. Following its historic debut in 2025—where the brew sold out in under a week at all 19 Cleveland-area Heinen’s locations—the lager returns for “Round Two” just in time for Reunion Weekend, June 12-13, 2026.
Brewed by Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Company (co-owned by Dan Conway ’84) 1886 John Carroll Lager is a crisp golden lager with an ABV of 4%. Brewed with a hint of lime for a refreshing finish, it is a toast to enduring Jesuit values, friendships built on campus, and lifelong Blue Streak pride. It is the perfect beer for the John Carroll alumni community.
1886 John Carroll Lager will officially be re-released on Friday, June 12, 2026 at the Friday evening “Welcome Back Reception” during Reunion Weekend on campus. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the Main Quad. Registration is $25 per person, with each attendee receiving a 16 oz. can of 1886 John Carroll Lager and complimentary passed appetizers. While this year’s reunion will celebrate the classes ending in 1’s and 6’s, every Blue Streak is invited to attend the re-release party.
“We are so happy to be re-releasing 1886 John Carroll Lager during Reunion Weekend,” said Rory O’Neil ’06, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement. “This beer will elevate one of John Carroll’s most cherished alumni traditions, and serve as the perfect complement to the many Blue Streak get-togethers and mini-reunions that happen each summer.”
The beer will also be available for sale starting that afternoon at all 19 Cleveland-area Heinen’s grocery stores, while supplies last. Additionally, all Winking Lizard Taverns (owned by John Lane ’82) and all Crowley’s locations (co-owned by David Bartulovic ’96 and McPat Coyne ’05) throughout Northeast Ohio will proudly serve 1886 John Carroll Lager during the summer, while supplies last.
"Our goal from day one with this beer was to bring the John Carroll alumni community together," said O'Neil. "It was such a joy to be able to collaborate with alumni-led businesses like Great Lakes Brewing Company, Crowley's, and Winking Lizard during the process, and we got to hear so many funny and heart-warming stories from many Carroll alumni during the initial release in the fall. We had Carroll couples who wanted to serve this at their wedding and so many groups of Carroll buddies who wanted to showcase the beer during their annual get-togethers. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for Reunion Weekend to add a few more chapters to the John Carroll storybook."
1886 John Carroll Lager will also be available in the Akron-Canton area this spring, as well as the greater Chicago area sometime this summer. More details will be forthcoming for both of these developments.
For more information, please contact Rory O’Neil ’06 in the Office of Alumni Relations at roneil@jcu.edu.
