USA, OH: Ohio Brewing Co. set to open again in Akron

A brewery and a beer will see a resurgence soon in Northeast Ohio, as Ohio Brewing Co. gets set to open its doors and Cellar Rats Brewery is bringing back the old P.O.C. as a "craft pilsener", Cleveland.com reported on March 6.

The breweries were just two of the several dozen participating in the 10th annual Winter Warmer Fest, held March 5 at Windows on the River. Breweries from across the state, from Akron to Zanesville, poured a variety of ales for 1,400 beer lovers who strolled through multiple levels of the venue indoors and a cask-ale area outside.

Chris Verich said his Ohio Brewing Co., which has had its share of openings and closings over the years - will open in a week in Akron's Highland Square neighborhood. He said the location – directly across from the Highland Square branch of the Akron-Summit County Public Library - will have 30 taps. In January, Ohio Brewing's Jingle Bell Ale won the People's Choice Award for best beer at the Chagrin Valley Chili Brew-off.

Meanwhile, Joel Sandrey of Cellar Rats has been working on acquiring the rights to the old "P.O.C." label. Pilsener Brewing Co. used to make the beer, tabbed "Pride of Cleveland" by its fans. Labels and signs with the old logo still pop up at various breweriana events.

For legal reasons, Cellar Rats couldn't use the words "Cleveland, Ohio" or "Pilsener Beer," Sandrey said, but they will have the crisp, 4.7-percent alcohol beer ready to go in April – "May at the latest," Sandrey said.

A line formed long before the fest opened its doors for general admission, and the crowd remained steady all day.

"The Cleveland craft-beer scene is appreciative; people like the interaction," said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. The fest is a fundraiser for the non-profit group.

MacDonald said breweries also like the fest, and it showed in what they poured: Saisons, infused Stouts, cask ales, brews with coffee and an assortment of others. It definitely is a fest for the adventurous palate. New breweries like Kindred Artisan Ales from Columbus showed up along with many established ones.

11 March, 2016