"r In many parts of the country, there is an intersection between bike culture and craft beer culture. While I’ve seen very few cyclists at NE Ohio Breweries, many are convenient to our bike trails. It can be fun to park at or near a local microbrew place, and then do an out-and-back ride. Or, if you are on a bike tour, pick one near your final destination for the day. Many of these businesses are closed from 2-4 days in the early part of the week so plan ahead. Drive and ride responsibly. Check the website for menu changes, hours, etc. before arriving.
Breweries are listed by by Trail on this Page: The Portage Hike and Bike Trail The Headwaters Trail The Summit Bike and Hike Trail, North Branch The Summit Bike and Hike Trail, South Branch Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Great-Ohio-Lake-To-River Greenway(North from Warren) = the Western Reserve Greenway Great-Ohio-Lake-To-River Greenway(South from Niles)
The Portage Hike and Bike Trail
North Water Brewing Company 101 Crain Ave, Kent, OH 44240. (Part of the Kent DORA) https://northwaterbrewing.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.2 miles via the “official” route. Or…use your eyes. Food: Good Day Oven Pizza operates out of a window in the brewery on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check their website for confirmed days and hours: GOODDAYOVEN.COM Food trucks are also available some evenings, and you can bring in your own food when neither of the above options is available. The brewery is near some restaurants. If you take a right after crossing the bike bridge across the Cuyahoga River, The River Merchant is only 0.2 miles ahead on the East side of the street. Just continue north on the trail/sidewalk. Black Squirrel Pub is accross the street from River Merchant. Cross at the light at the foot of the bike bridge. There are many other local food options in the downtown area which is accessible by bike friendly stairs from the trail to the Main Street Bridge. Directions: Approaching from the northeast (from the direction of Ravenna), the brewery is located directly across the railroad tracks from the trail as it approaches the ramp to bike bridge across the Cuyahoga to Rt 43. The “official” access route will take you across that bridge, where you will take left turn and a slight right towards the road, and another left to continue on the sidewalk back across the Fairchild Avenue bridge. To avoid 4 lanes of bridge traffic and two busy intersections, stay on this north-side sidewalk, which is a legal option in Kent. Once across the bridge take another left on the sidewalk and you’ll arrive at “N. Water.” You may see a rather obvious 95% shorter route (50 feet) through a couple of holes in fences. Just saying, not advising. Parking: Behind the brewery. Bike Racks: Yes, on the sidewalk near the patio. Or bring your bike to the patio. Nearby Accommodations: Kent State Hotel and Conference Center. 0.7 miles. If you continue south on the Portage H&B Trail, it is 0.3 miles from the bike stairs at Main Street to the hotel. Expect some downtown riding.
Bell Tower Brewing Company 310 Park Ave, Kent, OH 44240 (Part of the Kent DORA) https://belltowerbrewing.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.1 to 0.3 miles Food: Full menu. Directions: If approaching from the northeast (from the direction of Ravenna), continue over the bike bridge near North Water Street Brewing Company. Stay left to continue under the Fairchild Avenue bridge. From here there are two options to safely access Bell Tower: Option 1: about 0.2 miles after passing under Fairchild, make a hard right at a trail going uphill towards Rt 43. Use sidewalks to reach the brewery, as traffic is one-way in the wrong direction. Option 2: Completed in 2022, a set of bike-friendly stairs are available at the Main Street bridge. Take a right at the top and follow the road or sidewalk a short distance to the brewery. Parking: There is limited parking at the brewery. Parallel street parking is available across Gougler Ave (43 Northbound). Evening parking (after 6PM) is allowed at the businesses at NW corner of the intersection Main St and Gougler. Bike Racks: Yes, and plenty of fencing around the patio to which you could chain a bike. Nearby Accommodations: Kent State Hotel and Conference Center. ~0.3 to 0.5 miles. It is 0.3 miles from the bike stairs at Main Street to the hotel. Expect some downtown riding.
The Headwaters Trail
Garrett's Mill & Brewing Company 8148 Main St, Garrettsville, OH 44231 https://www.garrettsmillbrewing.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.2 miles Food: full menu. Directions: As you head into down from the west, make a left turn on Rt. 88 (South St.). Turn right on Freedom St. and bear left to cross the river gorge on the Rt. 82 bridge (Windham St.). Bear left onto Main St. and the brewery is on your left. Parking: Diagonal parking is available on Main St., and there are other parking options on nearby streets and city lots (Maple St. Municipal lot, for example). Bike Racks: Nope. There is a fenced patio area in front and various levels of decks overlooking Eagle Creek in the back, but access to these at present is unclear. Stumped? Slim and Jumbo's (bar across the street) has a patio accessible from the rear. The annual Road Apple Roubaix ends at this location. Nearby Accommodations: There are a couple of BnB locations nearby.
The Summit Bike and Hike Trail, North Branch Includes the Portage H&B Trail’s Franklin Connector. (Kent at Judson Rd. to Walton Hills at Alexander Rd.) This route is currently without closer access to breweries after multiple closures. However a new Veteran's Trail segment from Barlow Rd. to Hudson (phase 3) now provides access to a couple of Hudson breweries.
Green Valley Brewing Company 53 Milford Dr, Hudson, OH 44236 https://www.greenvalley.beer/ Distance from Trail: 1.6 miles. Food: Pizza, salads, bar snacks. Directions: Leave the Summit Bike and Hike Trail via a ramp to Barlow Rd. Go east about 0.6 miles and make a left onto the trail. This will pop you out at Cascades Park in Hudson. Exit the park via Lynn Dr, turn right on Case, then right again on Milford Dr. This will intersect with Veteran's Way. Make a left and the brewery is on your right (Veteran's Way becomes Milford Dr at that intersection). A direct connection between the Summit and Veteran's trails will be possible as the latter trail develops further south. Parking: in front and at neighboring business at night. Bike Racks: Yes. But there is a huge enclosed patio/yard area. The owner has suggested to me that it's fine to bring bikes into that area. Nearby Accommodations: There is a B&B about 0.6 miles away on Main St.
The Brew Kettle Hudson 11 Atterbury Boulevard Suite 1, 2, & 3, Hudson, OH 44236 https://thebrewkettle.com/locations/hudson/ Distance from Trail: 1.8 miles. Food: full menu (sandwiches, etc). Directions: Leave the Summit Bike and Hike Trail via a ramp to Barlow Rd. Go east about 0.6 miles and make a left onto the trail. This will pop you out at Cascades Park in Hudson. Exit the park via Lynn Dr, turn right on Case, then right again on Milford Dr. This will intersect with Veteran's Way. Make a left and continue on Milford Dr (Veteran's Way becomes this). Cross Rt 303 and continue on what is now Atterbury Blvd. The brewery is on your immediate right. A direct connection between the Summit and Veteran's trails will be possible as the latter trail develops further south. Parking: in front and at neighboring business at night. Bike Racks: ???. But there are railings along the side patio. Nearby Accommodations: There is a B&B about 0.6 miles away on Main St..
Traveling East? See "Portage Hike and Bike Trail" entries for breweries about 2 miles from the eastern terminus of the Summit B&H (becomes the Portage H&B Franklin Connector). Access downtown Kent by heading south on Hudson Rd from the trailhead at Hudson and Judson Rds.
The Summit Bike and Hike Trail, South Branch (Kent at Munroe Falls-Kent Rd to Silver Lake’s ball field and arboretum, or to Water Works Park)
Missing Mountain Brewing Company 2811 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 https://www.missingmountain.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.8 miles, mostly on neighborhood streets. Food: Sandwich menu. Directions: From Water Works Park, there is a sidewalk connecting the dog park area to Ruth Ave. Turn right on Oak Park Blvd. The brewery is at the SW corner of Oak Park and Front St. Do not attempt to ride on Front St., a busy 4-lane road with no shoulder. Parking: Often full. Alternate parking is behind Front Street Music, about 0.2 miles west of the brewery. Bike Racks: Nope. But there are accessible gates to the huge patio areas. Nearby Accommodations: none. There are a couple of hotels within 2.0 miles, at Rt 8 and Graham Rd, and in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls.
McArthur's Brew House (Nanobrewery) 2721 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 https://mcarthursbrewhouse.com/ Distance from Trail: 1.1 miles, mostly via neighborhood streets. Food: Snacks, flatbreads, etc. Limited hours. Directions: From Water Works Park, there is a sidewalk connecting the dog park area to Ruth Ave. At the end of this road (0.6 mi), continue right (becomes Overbrook Rd), and immediately turn left on Owaisa Rd. This road again bends sharp right and continues. Turn left on Gaylord Grove Rd. Turn right onto Hudson Drive and consider using the sidewalk here (for 500 ft), as this is a 4-lane, busy road with no shoulder. The brewery is on the SE corner with Front St. Parking: out front. Also, not far from alternate Missing Mountain Parking. Bike Racks: Nope. Fencing around patio area. Nearby Accommodations: There are a couple of hotels within 2.0 miles, at Rt 8 and Graham Rd, and in Downtown Cuyahoga Falls.
Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
Cleveland Breweries (details will be a future project) Nine or ten options exist at the northern end of the Towpath Trail and its intersection with the Centennial Lake Link Trail and Redline Greenway. Numerous mapped bike routes also exist for local city streets near these businesses. There are numerous hotel options in downtown Cleveland within 0.5 miles of the towpath, and there are designated bike lanes on some streets. Use extreme caution when choosing a route.
Magic City Brewing Company - The Rabbit Hole (future second location) This is the former location of the original R. Shea Brewery. The location is expected to open sometime in July 2025. 1662 Merriman Rd, Akron, OH 44313 It's just a few hundred feet from the Towpath trail. Access it by crossing Merriman Rd where the trail emerges from behind Blimp City Hike and Bike. If the road is busy (often) go north to the traffic light and backtrack through parking lots. More information to follow when available.
Lock 15 Brewing Company 21 West North Street Suite TL 1, 21 W North St, Akron, OH 44304 https://www.lock15brewing.com/ Distance from Trail: ~500 ft. Food: full menu Directions: There is a short path leading from the Mustill Store (historic structure) on the trail, the brewery parking lot. Parking: lots are near entrance. There is also a trailhead lot on West North St. next door. Bike Racks: Meh. Also have outdoor patio fencing. Nearby Accommodations: The Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown is a few blocks away. Also visit Dirty River Bikes!
Missing Falls Brewery 540 S Main St suite 112, Akron, OH 44311 (Canal Place) https://www.missingfalls.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.3 miles Food: sandwich and flatbread menu Directions: Exit the trail into the Canal Place parking lots (5-6 options). From here cross or follow Falor St. heading south into another set of Canal Place lots. There is parking here for both Missing Falls Brewery and the second location for R. Shea Brewing. Parking: tons. If the front lot is full there is a huge lot out back. Bike Racks: Folks often bring bikes inside from the side entrance ramp, and park in racks in a back area. This is often a starting/ending point for the Akron Bike Party monthly social ride and many other local group and friend rides. Nearby Accommodations: The Courtyard by Marriott Akron Downtown is 2.1 miles away to the north by trail.
Magic City Brewing Company (first location) 2727 Manchester Rd, Akron, OH 44319 http://www.magiccitybrewingcompany.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.1 miles Food: “Cult Kitchen” operates inside the brewery. Tacos, sliders, flatbreads, etc. Directions: From the Manchester Rd. Towpath Trailhead parking lot, you will need to carefully ride north on the shoulder of Manchester Rd. for about 200 ft. You can avoid crossing the street by using a rough path on the east side of Manchester Rd (go under the road to access it from the trailhead). Turn right onto Nesbitt Ave, which is an access road leading to the brewery parking lot. Parking: plenty. Bike Racks: Nope. Fencing around patio. Nearby Accommodations: nothing nearby. 6 miles to Akron or The Arlington Rd/I-77 interchange.
Paradigm Shift Brewing 128 North Ave NE, Massillon, OH 44646 https://www.theshiftbeer.com/home/ (330)880-0008 Distance from Trail: 0.5 miles on city streets. Food: flatbreads, salads, sandwiches & wraps Directions: As you are heading south on the towpath, bear left and go up the ramp to Lincoln Way (172). Turn left on the sidewalk, then turn left on Tommy Henrich Dr NW. Immediately turn right on Federal Ave NW. Turn left onto Conrad Pl NE, then turn right onto North Ave NE. The brewery is in an old house on the left. Parking: adjacent street and possibly a lot across the street. Bike Racks: None. There is a designated outdoor area. Nearby Accommodations: Hampton Inn Massillon, about 0.4 miles from Brewery. The hotel sits on top of a multi-story parking garage, but there is an elevator entrance at the lower level.
Lockport Brewery 10748 Wilkshire Blvd NE, Bolivar, OH 44612 https://www.lockportbeer.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.7 miles Food: full menu. Directions: from Park Avenue SE (trail is on sidewalk), turn onto Rt 212 heading SE. A bike lane (sort of) exists but is interupted under the I-77 overpass. Once you cross the Tuscarawas River, jump onto the parallel bike lane. It bears right and continues along Wilkshire Blvd NE. Turn right at Edgebrook Rd NE and cross Wilkshire Blvd to enter the brewery parking lot. Parking: plenty Bike Racks: Nope. But there is a large fenced outdoor area, and fencing around deck area at rear (accessible by stairs from the enclosed yard). Nearby Accommodations: Sleep Inn (on Rt.212, 0.2 miles from the brewery, back toward the trail).
Great-Ohio-Lake-To-River Greenway(North from Warren) a.k.a. the Western Reserve Greenway Although usually designated on maps as the WRG, this segment also incorporates the Garrett Wonder Trail (aka Warren Greenway) and the North Shore Trail in Ashtabula.
Cloven Hoof Brewing 1308 Bridge St, Ashtabula, OH 44004 http://clovenhoofbrewing.com/ Distance from Trail: 50 feet. Food: snacks and meat/cheese plates. Directions: Just a stone’s throw from the corner of W. 5th Street (Bridge St.) and Franklin Ave., which are part of the North Shore Trail’s road section in downtown. Parking: yes, and also right next to a large city lot. Bike Racks: Nope. Nearby Accommodations: You may be limited to BnB options in town. There are numerous hotels at the intersection of I-90 and Rt. 45, 9-10 miles south of Ashtabula in Austinburg, near the trail. If arriving from Ashtabula, get off the Western Reserve Greenway at the Munson Hill Station Trailhead, 2401 Old Austinburg Rd, Ashtabula, OH 44004. Take Old Austinburg Rd. up to Austinburg Rd. and continue south. There are a couple of motels on this road and others nearby. If arriving from the south, jump off the WRG at Clay St. (the trail goes over the road but there is a ramp at the south side of the bridge). Turn right on an access road before reaching Rt. 45. At this writing, a new Fairfield Inn appears to be open there. If you continue up the road and go left on Sidley St., there is a Hampton directly across Rt. 45. Other options exist north of the interstate.
Modern Methods Brewing Company 125 David Grohl Alley, Warren, OH 44481 (yep, that Dave Grohl) https://modernmethodsbrew.com/ Distance from Trail: 0.7 – 1.4 miles off a road section of the WRG Food: Chips and a seasonal charcuterie box. Monthly supper club. Directions: The 0.7-mile option is the shortest Google Maps bike route, but is a high traffic area. Personally, I’d be inclined to avoid the busy roads and take a 1.4-mile route using Fairfield St. NE (west) to Olive St. (South), then Washington St. NE (west) to Washington St. NW, and finally Mahoning Ave. NW (south) to Courthouse Square, near both the brewery and the nearby Best Western. Parking: Street parking and a large parking garage just southwest of the brewery. Bike Racks: Nope. And it’s a windowless structure. The "patio" area is actually in a tunnel-like alley, and it may be possible to keep an eye on bikes here if you partake outdoors. If you are staying overnight, leave your bikes at the nearby hotel and walk. Nearby Accommodations: Best Western Park Hotel in Warren (2 blocks away).
Great-Ohio-Lake-To-River Greenway(South from Niles to Lisbon, partly on road) Includes the Niles Greenway, Mill Creek Metroparks Bikeway, Washingtonville Rd (unofficial but perfectly aligned), and the Little Beaver Creek Greenway.
Biker Brewhouse (connected to a Harley-Davidson dealership) 5700 Patriot Blvd. Unit B, Youngstown, OH 44515 https://www.bikerbrewhouse.net/ Distance from Trail: ~0.25 to 0.7 miles Food: Sides, flatbreads, wings, sandwiches. In a DORA area. Directions: From the trail, go SSE on Ohltown Rd, turn left at the 2nd driveway to Humility House, and cut through various Infocision parking lots to reach Patriot Dr. The rear lot at Humility House has a chained access drive to the adjacent office lot. It is passable. There is a possible shortcut via Dan Hall Drive (ride around chains) and a path through the weeds. This is not advisable during the wet seasons as the strip of weeds separating the lots contains 2 shallow drainage ditches. Parking: yes. Bike Racks: No, but there is a patio area with barriers you could chain a bike to. Nearby Accommodations: There are half a dozen chain hotels with a block or two of this brewery (just east).
Paladin Brewing 6520 Mahoning Ave Suite 300, Youngstown, OH 44515 https://www.paladinbrewing.com/ Distance from Trail: ~0.1 miles Food: Sides, boards, flatbreads. Directions: Just east of the trail on Mahoning Ave. Use the sidewalk on the north side of the road. Parking: yes. Bike Racks: traditional rack near entrance on Maple Dr. Patio area at rear of brewery. Nearby Accommodations: There is a large concentration of motels at the junction of Rt 46 and I-80. Access them via Silica Rd, which intersects the trail about 1.6 miles north of the brewery. Then take Ohltown Rd. (left) going NW and connect to the motel complex by riding through the Humility House (retirement home) and InfoCision Management Corporation lots until you reach Patriot Blvd. This will provide direct access to a couple of hotels and others can be reached using extreme care. This hotel area is about 1.5 miles away from the trail.
The 'Sip Taproom, (former location of the Numbers Brewing Company) Opened in fall 2024, this is no longer a brewery, but may serve, beer, cocktails, etc. and has a full food menu. 127 N Beaver St, Lisbon, OH 44432 Distance from Trail: 0.6 miles Food: Sandwiches and entrees available. Directions: Exit the Little Beaver Creek Greenway at Maple St. Turn left at Beaver St. The "brewery" is on your left after crossing Rt. 30. Parking: lot across the street Bike Racks: Yes, and there is a well-fenced patio area. Nearby Accommodations: There is a Days Inn near Rt. 11. It is 2.3 miles from the "brewery." In 2023, a bike trail was opened along 154 (E. Lincoln Highway) that ends about 0.3 miles from the hotel. This trail is an extension of the Little Beaver Greenway and is well-marked through downtown Lisbon.