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Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City
Once known as the Rubber Capital of the World, Akron can also justifiably style itself a beer mecca. More than a century ago, brewers like Renner, Burkhardt and others vied for local supremacy. Although these forerunners disappeared, a beer renaissance blossomed in recent years, with today's craft purveyors serving up some of the nation's finest brews. Several of Thirsty Dog Brewery's beers have won awards, and Hoppin' Frog consistently ranks as one of the top one hundred breweries in the world. Rob Musson presents a chronological look at Akron beer from its origins along the Ohio & Erie Canal in 1845 to the present day, featuring one hundred vintage and contemporary images.
160 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2018
About the author
Robert A. Musson
44 books3 followersRobert A. Musson, MD, is a vein surgeon from Ohio who has taken an additional interest in researching the history of the brewing industry. Collecting Pennsylvania beer memorabilia since 1976, Musson has researched the history of the brewing industry of Ohio and Pennsylvania for two decades. He is the author of Arcadia Publishing's Brewing in Cleveland and has self-published numerous books on the brewing industry, such as Fort Pitt, That's It! and Brewing Beer Since 1829. He lives in Medina, Ohio, with his wife and three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 1, 2020
Continuing my look at local history in northeast Ohio, today I get into the beer brewing past of Akron with Robert A. Musson's book 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City'. The book is published as part of American Palate Books, a division of Arcadia Publishing.
The book itself starts its look into brewing beer in Akron back to 1845 in Akron, which per Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City followed the same industry in nearby northeastern Ohio cities Canton (1817) and in Cleveland (1832). Early brewers started along the Ohio and Erie Canal, to be followed with immigrant George J. Renner, Jr., whose George J. Renner Brewing Company brewed Grossvater Beer, which also brewed in Mansfield. The brewery also supported an operation in Youngstown.
Moving into the more of the 19th century beer brewing history brings the reader knowledge of the Burkhardt Brewing Company, which came into being within a decade of Wilhelm Burkhardt becoming the brewmaster at Wolf Ledge Brewery. Margaretha Burkhardt took over the brewery while raising her sons William and Gustav when her husband Wilhelm died at a young age. The company survived in other industries through the thirteen years of Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, succeeding after Prohibition yet succumbing to state tax policy and other factors by 1973.
The story of beer in Akron through Prohibition, in the years leading up to formal federal criminality in brewing through the restoration of the industry, was addressed with clarity. The story of Akron Brewing Company comes into focus during this period and coming into prominence in the early 20th century. Fred Horix, a founder of what became George J. Renner Brewing Company, served Akron Brewing Company as vice president. Akron Brewing Company would not survive Prohibition.
The chapter on the years without legal alcohol in Akron and Summit County, where Akron exists, led to a reference to the book 'Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County' by Samuel Alanson Lane. The story of women visiting saloons in Cuyahoga Falls with the intention of ending alcohol consumption, for the sheer determination and gumption of it, made for the price of admission for me with 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City'. Pointing out the delaying effect of the Civil War on Prohibition is interesting and likely true.
Getting into the rebirth of the beer brewing industry, and the multiple waves of craft brewing in Akron, takes the story through the current day of 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City' getting published in 2018. Learning about Aqueduct Nano Brewery on the site of the former Burkhardt Brewing Company, and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, among many other brewers who have come and gone through the years, is one of the true joys of Robert A. Musson's book. Thanks to the 'Beacon Journal' (of Akron) for confirming that even Aqueduct Nano Brewery has closed. My stroll down history lane with 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City' earns the book 4-stars on a scale of one-to-five.
The book itself starts its look into brewing beer in Akron back to 1845 in Akron, which per Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City followed the same industry in nearby northeastern Ohio cities Canton (1817) and in Cleveland (1832). Early brewers started along the Ohio and Erie Canal, to be followed with immigrant George J. Renner, Jr., whose George J. Renner Brewing Company brewed Grossvater Beer, which also brewed in Mansfield. The brewery also supported an operation in Youngstown.
Moving into the more of the 19th century beer brewing history brings the reader knowledge of the Burkhardt Brewing Company, which came into being within a decade of Wilhelm Burkhardt becoming the brewmaster at Wolf Ledge Brewery. Margaretha Burkhardt took over the brewery while raising her sons William and Gustav when her husband Wilhelm died at a young age. The company survived in other industries through the thirteen years of Prohibition from 1920 to 1933, succeeding after Prohibition yet succumbing to state tax policy and other factors by 1973.
The story of beer in Akron through Prohibition, in the years leading up to formal federal criminality in brewing through the restoration of the industry, was addressed with clarity. The story of Akron Brewing Company comes into focus during this period and coming into prominence in the early 20th century. Fred Horix, a founder of what became George J. Renner Brewing Company, served Akron Brewing Company as vice president. Akron Brewing Company would not survive Prohibition.
The chapter on the years without legal alcohol in Akron and Summit County, where Akron exists, led to a reference to the book 'Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County' by Samuel Alanson Lane. The story of women visiting saloons in Cuyahoga Falls with the intention of ending alcohol consumption, for the sheer determination and gumption of it, made for the price of admission for me with 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City'. Pointing out the delaying effect of the Civil War on Prohibition is interesting and likely true.
Getting into the rebirth of the beer brewing industry, and the multiple waves of craft brewing in Akron, takes the story through the current day of 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City' getting published in 2018. Learning about Aqueduct Nano Brewery on the site of the former Burkhardt Brewing Company, and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, among many other brewers who have come and gone through the years, is one of the true joys of Robert A. Musson's book. Thanks to the 'Beacon Journal' (of Akron) for confirming that even Aqueduct Nano Brewery has closed. My stroll down history lane with 'Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City' earns the book 4-stars on a scale of one-to-five.
November 19, 2018
Okay read about the history of beer in Akron.
This is well researched history of brewing beer in the Akron area. It is a little dry as there is no real exciting stories to be told, just a chronological history of breweries that came and went.
Interesting if you are from Akron or Ohio but definitely not essential reading if you're, like me, from the Netherlands.
This is well researched history of brewing beer in the Akron area. It is a little dry as there is no real exciting stories to be told, just a chronological history of breweries that came and went.
Interesting if you are from Akron or Ohio but definitely not essential reading if you're, like me, from the Netherlands.
March 25, 2018
Interesting and very informative of Akron and brewing. I learned a lot!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews