Robert A Musson and the book ‘Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City’

Continuing our look at local history in northeast Ohio, today we 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.

(Robert A Musson wrote the book Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City).

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.

(Grossvater Beer by the George J. Renner Brewing Company, as featured in Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City by Robert A Musson).

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 Burkhardt Brewing Company, as featured in Robert A Musson‘s Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City).

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.

(A stack of the book Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City as written by Robert A Musson).

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.

(Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, as featured in Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City by Robert A. Musson).

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 the Akron Beer: A History of Brewing in the Rubber City‘s 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.

Matt – Saturday, February 1, 2020