The Summit Brew Path was well-traveled again.

The Akron-based brewery trail and passport program wrapped up its second season Dec. 14. The Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau handed out about 20,000 passports, with more than 2,400 people visiting all 18 breweries on the trail and redeeming their stamped passports for a 32-ounce glass howler.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with the numbers," said Roger Riddle, marketing and social media manager for the tourism agency. "For two years in a row seeing that response is incredible."

The first year, when the finishing prize was a brown T-shirt, about 2,600 people completed the trail and redeemed their passports.

The Summit Brew Path will return next year. The Convention & Visitors Bureau plans to sit down with the breweries and see what went well this year and what can be improved upon.

"I think the second year was even more successful than the first with everyone having awareness of it," said John Najeway, co-owner of Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. in Akron. "We look forward to next year."

He praised the tourism agency's efforts to promote small businesses.

Organizers are looking to launch the 2019 program in March. The trail will balloon with more breweries next year thanks to several new places that have opened such as Akronym, Lock 15 and Missing Falls in Akron, and Missing Mountain in Cuyahoga Falls.

"It's going to be even bigger and better," Riddle said.

As for the finishing prize next year, organizers are still figuring that out. They want to offer a different prize each year to give people another reason to complete the trail.

What is certain — well, never say never — is that it won't be a T-shirt or howler.

HiHO anniversary

HiHO Brewing Co. is getting ready to celebrate its second anniversary.

The brewery, 1707 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, is planning a three-day celebration starting Friday that will include special beers, food and live music.

HiHO will have two firkins: a salted caramel imperial stout and a winter white IPA with orange zest and lactose. For more details, check out the brewery's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HiHOBrewingCo.

Belated well wishes

In case you missed it, Hop Tree Brewing Co., 1297 Hudson Gate Drive, Hudson, celebrated its first anniversary last weekend.

“Our first year has been amazing,” co-founder Greg McClymont said. “We’ve met so many great people throughout the year both here at the Hop Tree taproom and out at different events. Our guests, friends, family and staff have all helped make our dream come true. The part we’ve enjoyed the most is getting to talk to people firsthand and hear their feedback when they come in and check out the beers and the food here at our taproom. We love to hear about all of their beer tasting and brewery experiences as they explore the local craft beer scene.

“Next year we’re going to continue to offer a rotational variety of beers and look forward to getting into more weekly beer and food specials. Also stay tuned for more seasonal beer releases.”

Brew To You

I recently served as a guest on the "Brew To You" show on YouTube.

My episode, hosted by Michael Fisher of Canton, was shot at Magic City Brewing Co. in Barberton. Over several beers, we chatted about the craft beer scene and I shared some of my Ohio-made favorites — along with one of my guilty pleasures not made in the state. (I'll make you watch to see which ones.)

If you'd like to watch the episode — and others, including one featuring Sandy Springs Brewing in Minerva — go to: www.youtube.com/channel/UC-K81Q98I8K1ZXiJrfI77SQ.

Resilience IPA

As you might recall, breweries around the country are making a special beer called Resilience Butte County Proud IPA using a recipe from Sierra Nevada to raise money to support victims of the Camp Fire in California.

Many Akron-area breweries stepped up to make the beer. You can grab a taste now at:

• Akronym, 58 E. Market St., Akron.

• Magic City, 161 Second St. NW, Barberton.

• Missing Mountain, 2811 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls.

• Millersburg, 60 E. Jackson St., Millersburg.

• Sandy Springs, 232 N. Market St., Minerva.

You can also check out the list of all breweries that made the beer at www.sierranevada.com/resilience-butte-county-proud-ipa.

Great Lakes lineup

Holy Moses! Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland will have several new beer options next year.

The oldest and largest Ohio-based craft brewery last week announced some new beers and packaging for 2019. Here are three new things on the horizon:

• Great Lakes IPA: The new beer was made with lemon peel, Mosaic, Lemondrop, Azacca and Simcoe hops. It will be available year-round in six-packs, 12-packs and on draft starting in March. The label, created by illustrator Sam Hadley, showcases Great Lakes employees who are now owners thanks to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

• Buckin’ Mule Moscow Mule Ale: The new cocktail-inspired beer was developed on the brewery’s two-barrel pilot system. It was made with ginger, lime peel, rye and Citra hops. It will debut in June in four-packs and draft. The label features a bucking mule in a Western-inspired scene with cacti and a lime sunset.

• The Moses Mix Variety 12-Pack: It will feature Holy Moses White Ale, Holy Moses Raspberry White Ale and Midnight Moses Dark Belgian-Style Ale. The pack will include four of each beer and be available for a limited time in May.

For even more details on the lineup, go to: www.greatlakesbrewing.com.

Blues & Brews

Mark your calendar: The 15th annual Blues & Brews beer festival, organized by Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., will be held Aug. 3 at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his daily beer blog at www.ohio.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ.