Akronym Brewing is coming back to Akron — and may open the doors to its East Market location well within a year of closing them.
Bryan Weber, the president of brewery chain The Brew Kettle, is overseeing the revitalization. He told the Beacon Journal he came in to recapitalize Akronym Brewing and is bringing Shawn Adams back on board as master brewer.
However, he said Akronym’s Public House in Montville Township, Medina County, will not reopen.
“The original brewery, which is there in Akron, always did well and had a good following,” Weber said. “It’s just, the Public House in Medina (County) was the real struggle for them financially.”
The Akronym Public House shuttered in September 2024, and Akronym’s location at 58 E. Market St. in Akron closed the following month.
Weber said he anticipates the Akron location will reopen with a soft launch in August.
“It’ll be everything it was and then some because we’re making some nice improvements to the menu and with a full taproom that will have guest beers from some of the best craft breweries in the state,” Weber said. “And we’ll also have a full wine and cocktail list.”
Akronym’s Akron location first opened in 2018, and the Public House opened in 2022.
Adams, Akronym’s master brewer, has won more than 30 awards in craft brewing competitions, Weber pointed out.
What’s to come for the revamped Akronym Brewing?
Akronym didn’t serve wine or spirits before. But when it reopens, Weber said, it will have “the best bourbon, vodka, gin, tequila” and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Jessica Starr, executive chef at Lock 15 Brewing Company, is preparing an all-new food menu, Weber said. The Brew Kettle acquired Lock 15, operating in Akron’s Cascade Valley neighborhood, in early 2024.
Akronym will have about 15 to 20 employees, including full- and part-time staff, Weber said.
He rattled off numerous breweries from which Akronym will rotate beers — a bevy of bevvies, if you will. Beers from Lock 15, Brew Kettle, Thirsty Dog, Hoppin’ Frog, Missing Mountain, Market Garden, Masthead, Fat Head’s and Great Lakes will be among them, he said, adding that this is not a complete list.
“Certain craft beer breweries do release special releases,” he said. And they’re not necessarily in grocery. But as they come out, we always get an opportunity to add those. So, we will definitely support all the other good craft breweries around the area.”
How did the effort to reopen Akronym come about?
Weber said he began having conversations about resurfacing Akronym in late 2024, not long after it closed its two locations. Construction began in June, he added.
Roughly $250,000 in planned renovations include HVAC upgrades and new window graphics, as well as speakers and lighting on the patio, Weber said.
Akronym is leasing the space from the city of Akron, which Weber said “has been a joy to work with.”
“I can only say nothing but good things,” he said. “It’s great to have support.”
Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@gannett.com or on X @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal’s business and consumer newsletter, “What’s The Deal?”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akronym Brewing will get a downtown reboot under new management
Reporting by Patrick Williams, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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