Hoppin’ Frog Brewery

Summer 2007

     

    

      Fred Karm loves to brew beer.  Craft beer, that is—the beer equivalent of a dish prepared by a master chef in a fine restaurant.  Formerly the brewmaster for the Thirsty Dog brewpubs, Fred has designed and produced more award-winning beers than any professional brewer in Ohio since 2000.  In October of last year, Fred opened his own brewery, Hoppin’ Frog, in Akron.

      The hallmark of Fred’s Hoppin’ Frog beers is their rich, intense flavor.  Fred aims for “more flavor per style” (a style is a type of beer like pilsner or stout) and achieves it by careful selection of ingredients, creativity, and meticulous attention to detail in the brewing process.  Hoppin’ Frog beers are, in Fred’s words, “robust, flavorful, thick, creamy, chewy, and satisfying.”  Craft beer drinkers seem to agree: Fred’s beers have already received very good ratings on national beer rating sites like ratebeer.com and beeradvocate.com.

      Hoppin’ Frog currently makes six beers: Wild Frog Wheat, Gulden Fraug Belgian Ale, Hoppin’ to Heaven I.P.A. (India Pale Ale), Mean Manalishi Double I.P.A., B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, and Bodacious Black and Tan.  Fred plans to add a new beer to his list every three months or so.  You can find a full description of each beer on the brewery’s web site, www.hoppinfrog.com.

      Like many craft beers, Hoppin’ Frog beers are great on their own, but they also complement food beautifully, just like a good wine.  Fred recommends keeping it simple when pairing beer and food.  The more robust the beer, the more robust the food should be.  Lighter beers go with lighter fare.  The Wild Frog Wheat would pair nicely with grilled chicken or fish; Fred’s crisp, hoppy I.P.A.’s would complement Indian or Thai food; and his stout would be perfect with a grilled steak topped with garlic and mushrooms.  Last night, I had a glass of the Bodacious Black and Tan with a grilled venison burger and salad of bitter greens, tomatoes, and feta cheese—a delicious match.

      Hoppin’ Frog beers come in 22-ounce bottles, which Fred describes as “dinner-size—the same approach as a bottle of wine.”  The bottles are meant to be shared and, according to Fred, “it promotes friendship, promotes camaraderie.”  I’ll toast that.

      You can find Hoppin’ Frog beers at most Acme and Giant Eagle Stores, West Point Market, Mustard Seed Markets, and any store that carries fine beer (ask for it if you don’t see it—Hoppin’ Frog beer can be ordered through the wholesale distributor Superior Beverage).  Westwood Wine Shoppe in Louisville is especially accommodating and helpful with special orders.  Fred also sells the beer directly from the brewery, although it’s a good idea to call before stopping by.  You can sample Hoppin’ Frog beers at the events listed on their web site.

      Hoppin’ Frog Brewery is located at 1680-F East Waterloo Road, Akron, 44306.  The phone number is 330-352-4578.