Barrels roll by, tanks tower high and the smell of barley is pungent inside Thirsty Dog’s taproom in the historic former Burkhardt Brewing building. It’s the place Akronites fell in love with award-winning beers such as the dark brown, deep-roasted Old Leghumper Robust Porter ($5 for 16 ounces) and the balanced yet in-your-face IPA Blood Hound Orange ($6 for 16 ounces).
In keeping up with its loyal following, Thirsty Dog opened two taprooms in 2018: one in Akron — a 4,000-square-foot space on Grant Street with a flatbread-and-beer soup-slinging kitchen — and one in the Flats East Bank, which has a 10-barrel system and an outdoor patio. But don’t worry, beer drinkers seeking history with their sips can still tour and taste at the original taproom each Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Our Pick: Our kind of Black Friday shopping includes scooping up a four-pack of Barrel Aged 12 Dogs of Christmas ($23.99), a spiced holiday beer with a robust boozy finish. 529 Grant St. Suite B, Akron, 330-252-2739, thirstydog.com
