CANTON – A new addition to the downtown craft beer scene is just weeks away.
Starflyer Brewing Co., founded by brewer Andrew Archer, his wife Bailey, and her brother Ethan Comfort, plans to open its taproom and brewery at 500 Cleveland Ave. NW by the end of October.
Archer began brewing in the 1990s alongside father-in-law Melvin Comfort. What started as a hobby turned into a career when he joined HiHO Brewing Co. in Cuyahoga Falls, where he spent seven years honing his skills. In 2022, the Archers started planning their own brewery inside Deli Ohio, but funding challenges and space limitations pushed them to find a larger home.
“We’re excited about this location,” Archer said. “It’s close to the action downtown, with good parking and room to grow.”
Starflyer will join UnHitched Brewing Co.’s Woodshop, Muskellunge Brewing Co. and the upcoming Unfused Brew Hall as the other breweries in downtown Canton. Unfused is in the process of opening in the former Canton Brewing Co. space.
Repurposed and handcrafted
The family transformed the long-vacant space on the corner of Cleveland and 5th Street NW with plenty of elbow grease and resourcefulness. Many fixtures were purchased secondhand on Facebook Marketplace and refinished, including couches reupholstered by the nearby Laubacher Upholstery.
Archer and friend Scott Haywood sanded and stained the taproom’s tables by hand, while colorful tap handles were sourced from Etsy.
“We’re big on repurposing,” said Bailey Archer. “It gives the place personality and connects us to the community.”
Brewing with variety in mind
Downstairs, the brewing area is undergoing its final set-up to produce a wide range of beers. Starflyer plans to offer 12 beers on tap.
Archer, who has a two-barrel brewing system, is planning to brew everything from light lagers to bold imperial stouts, with a soft spot for IPAs and botanical beers that feature culinary-inspired ingredients.
“I love to celebrate the variety of craft beers,” he said.
The name Starflyer was inspired during lightning bug season, meant to capture something whimsical, nostalgic and local. Andrew’s sister, Abigail Archer, designed the final logo.
The taproom will offer snacks and charcuterie in partnership with Canton Importing and other local businesses. Special events are also planned for days the taproom is closed.
The tentative hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Updates will be posted on the brewery’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Bev Shaffer, Food & Drink reporter for The Canton Repository, can be reached at bshaffer@gannett.com or 330-580-8318.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Starflyer Brewing Co. gets ready to light up downtown Canton’s craft beer scene
Reporting by Bev Shaffer, Canton Repository / The Repository
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