Lock 15 Brewing Co.

21 W. North St., Suite TL 1, Cascade Valley
Phone: 234-900-TAPS (8277)
Open: Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  
Website: https://www.lock15brewing.com/ 

Lock 15 Brewing Co. keeps you on your toes with its craft beers, made in house, and its menu, which changes every six months. 

This Akron brewery, a repeat winner in Signal Akron’s Best of the City competition, is located inside the former (and historic) Swinehart Tire Factory building, now called the Cascade Lofts Apartment Building. It’s nestled against the Mustill Store Museum and the Cascade Valley Trailhead, a favorite of local runners, cyclists and trail walkers. 

What keeps people coming back?   

“Good food, good beer, good service. We treat the customers like it’s a fine dining experience, but without the pomp of fine dining. And, plus, the location,” said Joe Karpinski, Lock 15’s owner, head brewer and general manager. “Especially when people want to sit on the patio, when the weather’s favorable for that, that’s another benefit to people wanting to come down here as well.” 

Lock 15 began as a conversation in 2015 — after three years of planning, it opened in 2018. Now this neat beige brick building, featuring red window frames and a large patio dining area, welcomes each guest.  

The brew house has an open expo-style kitchen. Guests can watch their food being prepared while glancing at the seven shiny brew barrels through the glass wall at the back of the main dining room. 

In January of 2024, Lock 15 went through a merger acquisition with The Brew Kettle, which meant new endeavors for the brewing company. 

At Lock 15 Brewing Co., year-round and seasonal brews are on tap, as well as experimental beers.
At Lock 15 Brewing Co., year-round and seasonal brews are on tap, as well as experimental beers. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

“So now we’re under the umbrella of The Brew Kettle,” said Karpinski. “That just means the ownership structure has changed and we have access to more resources with The Brew Kettle, better purchasing agreements with both the brewing side and the kitchen side.” 

Year-round brews are on tap, like Pretty Boy Peanut Butter Porter with its combined flavors of peanut butter, raw cacao nibs and cold-brew, and Swinehart Stout, with its honey, barley notes and orange and vanilla undertones. Seasonal brews, like Akron Cereal Beer, a breakfast ale with notes of honey, vanilla and cinnamon, and Kraut Balls Oktoberfest, a lager that has a malty body that pairs well with any savory dish, are also offered, along with experimental beers. 

Lock 15 Brewing Co. is located inside the former (and historic) Swinehart Tire Factory building, now called the Cascade Lofts Apartment Building.
Lock 15 Brewing Co. is located inside the former (and historic) Swinehart Tire Factory building, now called the Cascade Lofts Apartment Building. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Lock 15 ships its products to more than 40 states, but you can also purchase beer directly from the restaurant or in local stores like Mustard Seed Market and Acme.   

To make sure that you secure a table at Lock 15, call for reservations. The bar and patio area follows a first-come, first-served system. The restaurant is busiest at dinnertime, but Sunday’s dinner rush might come earlier than Saturday’s dinner rush. 

Signal background

2nd Place:

Missing Falls Brewery (2nd place, 2024 Best of the City)

540 S. Main St., Suite 112, downtown
234-231-1000
Website: https://www.missingfalls.com/?age-verified=db03dfbe3a

3rd Place:

Thirsty Dog Brewing Tap House, University Park

587 Grant St., University Park
234-571-1456Website: https://thirstydog.com/