Go for the chemistry lesson — stay for the beer. “People want to see how it’s done,” says chemist-turned-brewer Ronald Shea. So, when he opened his taproom in 2015 after leaving his job at a chemical firm, he put his 3 1/2-barrel nanobrewing system and his one-barrel small-batch system right behind the bar. Kegs litter the 2,500-square-foot space, toeing the line between crowded and cozy.
But Shea’s knack for precision comes through in his rotating draft list of 15 brews. A flight from R. Shea is a rainbow of colors, from the lightly colored Orange Mango Citra Shandy ($5.50 for 16 ounces) to the dark-yet-sweet Nervous Dog Coffee Bar espresso-infused Polymer Caramel Espresso Stout ($5.50 for 13 ounces).
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a firsthand lesson on the process from the brewer himself. Just look for the beard. Our Pick: You can't go wrong with the Fruit Dance Party ($7.50 for 13 ounces), a 4.5% sour made with different fruits. 1662 Merriman Road, Akron, 330-794-5654, rsheabrewing.com
