CLEVELAND, Ohio – If it’s one thing Clevelanders love, it’s tradition, especially when it comes to sports. John Adams’ longtime presence pounding the drum in the bleachers. The nostalgia of the park many still call The Jake. Commiserating over the Browns.
And, of course, The Beer Guy.
Make that THE BEER GUY! – the bellowing Les Flake, a fixture at games who now makes his ballpark home steps from the flagpole in centerfield.
If you have quaffed a beer during a ballgame in Cleveland, odds are at some point Flake sold it to you. He has been hawking brews at Cleveland sports events since 1974. The suds in his bucket have evolved from just a handful of pedestrian lagers to a mix of vodka lemonade, hard seltzers and craft beers. And every day, he’s thankful.
“I can’t walk as fast as I used to, but I’m living. I’m above ground,” he said. “I can’t complain.”
That’s because in May 2023 he fell, suffering a ruptured quadricep tendon. He had surgery, went through rehabilitation, rested. But he’s been back, donning his neon uniform shirt, swiping credit cards and cracking open beers. A cane nestled near his stand is a reminder of his time on the disabled list. And when he was off, fans reached out.
“I was very, very grateful for that. I got a lot of letters, like 2,000 letters. It’s nice to know a job I have been doing for 50 years is appreciated,” Flake said.
“When you get sick and survive you feel lucky. You appreciate life more,” said the 69-year-old who lives in Shaker Square and takes the Rapid downtown.
He approaches life as he does the postseason: “One game at a time.”
When Flake says, “I keep busy,” he’s not kidding. He also sells beer at Browns games and Rocket Arena concerts and games, plus Blossom Music Center. In a year, that’s about 200 events. In spare time he likes to read, go to plays and watch sports. Matt Vann of The Jolly Scholar even made a wonderfully apt named beer in his honor called Cold Beer Here.
Not a bad comeback for the city’s most well-known beer vendor.
“I don’t know about that. I appreciate everything that has happened to me. I like what I do,” said Flake, who dismisses any talk of retirement.
“I am grateful for everything.”
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Les ‘The Beer Guy’ Flake delivering Jolly Scholar beer