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History of Akron Beer Making

The first major breweries in Akron, Ohio started in the mid 1840's to take advantage of abundant clear water, rich farmland and the commerce engine created by the Ohio & Erie Canal. At the turn of the century, as many as 14 commercial breweries were operated at the same time in Akron with a capacity exceeding several hundred thousand barrels per year. Largest and still remembered among these are the Renner, Burkhardt and Akron Brewing Companies, and a number of brewery buildings throughout Akron are still occupied (see "Brewing Beer in the Buckeye State" by Robert A Musson, and track them all down).

With a small time-out for prohibition, large scale brewing ended as a result of intense national competition and consolidation. But the science and evolution of fine craft beer brewing technology continued in Akron. Now, with a history of over 150 years of brewing in Akron, a broad range of exciting traditional and big beer tastes are provided by a number of regional brewers, ROOBREW being the newest. ROOBREW Fine Craft Beers are proudly brewed and bottled in one of the remaining Burkhart Brewery buildings at 529 Grant Street, under contract with the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company.