‘Brew path’ to return to old canal in Akron

The canawlers who plied the Ohio and Erie Canal in the early 19th century enjoyed their beer, especially when they reached the summit at Akron.

There, boats passing through the extensive series of locks connecting the Ohio River and Lake Erie watersheds would back up traffic for hours, kind of like the interchange at Interstates 70 and 71 during a light snow.

While waiting, the operators — or “canawlers,” as they were commonly called — would leave the boys who drove the canal-boat horses and mules in charge of the boats and visit a tavern or two, which probably did nothing to help move traffic.

The canal boats are long gone, but the thirst for beer — hail King Gambrinus! — lives on along the old canal.

As in many other places, craft brewing has boomed in the greater Akron area. Last year, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau launched the Summit Brew Path, showcasing 14 of the region’s craft brewers and brewpubs.

Thousands of visitors received free “passports,” and more than 2,600 had them stamped at all of the participating breweries — I hope not all in one day.

Visitors who finished the trail received a commemorative T-shirt. Best of all, though, they got to taste a lot of great beer in an interesting and historic part of Ohio.

The Summit Brew Path program will be repeated in 2018, with details about participating breweries and other information available in March. For the latest information, visit summit brewpath.com.

Before or after enjoying a brew, visitors can explore parts of the old canal and towpath, preserved within the Ohio & Erie Canalway