What Hoppin' Frog does

Hoppin' Frog is a privately held craft brewery founded in 2006 by Fred Karm in Akron, Ohio, with operations centered on a single-site brewery and tasting room at 1680 East Waterloo Rd. The company produces a portfolio of approximately 40+ beers spanning high-ABV imperial stouts (the B.O.R.I.S./D.O.R.I.S./T.O.R.I.S./Q.O.R.I.S. family at 9-15.7% ABV), Belgian-style strong ales (Pentuple, Sextuple, Extra Quad), a Turbo Shandy citrus ale line with fruit and dessert-cobbler variants, lagers (Frogichlaus, Karminator, Hoppin' Pils), and rotational seasonal and limited releases. Its underlying technical capabilities are concentrated in proprietary barrel-aging programs using bourbon (including Blanton's), whiskey, brandy, port wine, Mexican sotol, and Rocky Mountain malted-barley barrels.

The business model is multi-channel. Wholesale distribution covers 16 U.S. states and 41 foreign countries via third-party distributors; direct-to-consumer revenue is generated through shop.hoppinfrog.com shipping to Ohio, Kentucky, North Dakota, and Washington D.C.; the Akron taproom operates 6-7 days/week with 24 beers on tap and a full food menu; and two subscription/membership products - the bi-monthly Bodacious Beer Box ($60 / $120) and Frog Reserve annual memberships at $85 and $175 tiers - provide recurring revenue. Private events, merchandise (including limited-edition 20th anniversary apparel), and the charity-tied Brew Experience program (cumulative donations exceeding $75,000) round out the revenue streams.

Primary customer segments are craft beer enthusiasts and beer collectors seeking bold, barrel-aged, and high-ABV releases; secondary segments include local Akron families patronizing the family-friendly tasting room and wholesale/retail accounts (bars, restaurants, liquor stores). The company has captured sustained third-party validation - Top 100 Brewer status on RateBeer.com for 14+ consecutive years, multiple GABF/World Beer Cup/European Beer Star/Brussels Beer Challenge medals, and a documented role in Ohio high-gravity beer regulation - while operating without disclosed venture capital, private equity, or other institutional investment.

Name

Hoppin' Frog

Legal name

Hoppin' Frog

Website

https://hoppinfrog.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hoppin' Frog is a privately held, award-winning craft brewery in Akron, Ohio (founded 2006) that brews bold high-ABV imperial stouts, barrel-aged beers, and shandy ales for craft beer enthusiasts and collectors, selling via wholesale distribution across 16 U.S. states and 41 countries, an Akron taproom, DTC e-commerce, and subscription/membership tiers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Microbreweries & Craft Breweries (THAFALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Barrel-aged beers
• Imperial stouts
• Citrus shandy ales
• Brewery taproom

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales: Online shop sales of canned and bottled beers shipped to customers in Ohio, Kentucky, North Dakota, and Washington D.C. Includes single cans, 4-packs, 6-packs, and specialty releases.
2. Bodacious Beer Box Subscription: Bi-monthly subscription service delivering 10-12 different beers (12 cans single, 24 cans double) including newest releases, seasonal favorites, and brewery-only limited beers. Shipments in February, April, June, August, October, and December.
3. Tasting Room/Taproom: On-site beer sales at the Akron tasting room featuring 24 beers on tap, full food menu, and outdoor patios. Serves as primary brand experience venue.
4. Frog Reserve Memberships: Annual membership program with Barrel Level ($85) and Cellar Level ($175) tiers offering perks including draft pour discounts, food/merchandise discounts, quarterly curated beer packs, social gatherings, and party tickets.
5. Wholesale Distribution: Distribution of packaged beers through wholesale distributors to retail accounts. Currently distributes in 16 states and 41 foreign countries.
6. Keg Sales: Sale of kegged beers to on-premise accounts and events through the online store.
7. Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, glassware, tap handles, patches, stickers, frisbees, and used wooden barrels.
8. Private Events: Hosting of private events at the tasting room including company events, celebrations, and special gatherings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hoppin' Frog is an artisanal craft brewery producing bold, award-winning beers including imperial stouts, barrel-aged specialties, Belgian-style strong ales, and a line of Turbo Shandy citrus ales. The company operates a tasting room and taproom in Akron, Ohio with food service, sells packaged beer direct-to-consumer through its online shop with shipping to select states, distributes wholesale across 16 states and 41 foreign countries, and offers a bi-monthly beer subscription box and a paid membership program.

Product overview

Hoppin' Frog is a craft brewery established in 2006 in Akron, Ohio, specializing in bold, award-winning beers. The company offers a diverse portfolio centered around its core Imperial Stout family (B.O.R.I.S., D.O.R.I.S., T.O.R.I.S., Q.O.R.I.S.), seasonal and limited release offerings including Turbo Shandy citrus ales in numerous flavors, pumpkin ales, Belgian-style strong ales, and barrel-aged variants. The brewery also operates subscription services (Bodacious Beer Box delivering bi-monthly curated selections) and membership programs (Frog Reserve with Barrel and Cellar tiers), maintains a tasting room with food service, and sells merchandise through its online store. The company celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026 and distributes across 16 states and 41 foreign countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.O.R.I.S. The Crusher Oatmeal Imperial Stout Flagship oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout, dark and rich, rated one of the World's 50 Best Beers, with multiple GABF Gold Medals; aimed at craft beer enthusiasts seeking bold, full-flavored stouts.
• D.O.R.I.S. The Destroyer Double Oatmeal Imperial Stout

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 100 Brewers In The World for 14+ consecutive years by RateBeer.com
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Acme Fresh MarketsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Acme Fresh Markets for 'The California Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale' - a special shandy inspired by iconic grape drinks sold at local drive-ins. Brewed to be totally crushable, perfect for catching the waves, with groovy grape flavors and a squeeze of lemon.
• Akron City FCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with Akron City FC soccer team to create 'Kickin' Blackberry Turbo Shandy Citrus Ale' for the inaugural soccer season. A fun and delicious beer to enjoy during games.
• Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special NeedsminorOthersHoppin' Frog donated a Brew Experience to benefit Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, auctioned during the Akron Chili Open on February 7th.
• Akron ZoominorOthersCharity partner receiving proceeds from Brew Experience donations. The 'Rollin' In Peaches Peach Cobbler Turbo Shandy' was donated to benefit the Akron Zoo.
• Ohio & Erie Canalway CoalitionminorOthersCharity partner receiving proceeds from Brew Experience donations. The 'Captain Ahab and the Great White Raspberry Cheesecake' beer was donated to benefit the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition.
• Norka SodasminorOthersLocally made soda brand served at the tasting room for non-alcoholic beverage options. Made right in Akron, Ohio.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Founders Brewing Co. Michigan craft brewery producing high-ABV imperial stouts (KBS) and barrel-aged specialty beers with national distribution. Comparable in product category and taproom-plus-distribution model, though at significantly larger scale.
• Fat Head's Brewery: Ohio-based craft brewery with multiple taproom locations producing bold, award-winning IPAs, imperials, and barrel-aged beers. Directly comparable in size, geography, and product positioning as a fellow Ohio craft competitor.
• Three Floyds Brewing: Indiana craft brewery renowned for bold, high-ABV, hop-forward and barrel-aged beers (e.g., Dark Lord). Closely comparable in product philosophy — high-gravity, award-winning, scarcity-driven limited releases — at a similar craft scale.
• Dogfish Head Craft Brewery: Mid-Atlantic craft brewery known for innovative, high-ABV, and continuously experimental beer programs. Comparable in spirit of bold, unconventional brewing and barrel-aging experimentation, at a larger scale.
• Bell's Brewery: Michigan craft brewery with a long history of producing bold ales, stouts, and barrel-aged series beers. Comparable in product philosophy and multi-channel distribution, with a similarly strong awards pedigree.

Broad incumbents

• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. One of the largest US craft breweries with national distribution, taprooms, and a strong barrel-aged program. Comparable as a craft producer with broad product portfolio and wholesale distribution, but at substantially larger scale.
• Stone Brewing: Large California craft brewery with broad distribution and a portfolio including imperial stouts, barrel-aged releases, and experimental ales. Comparable product categories but operates at a significantly larger scale with wider distribution.

Regional players

• Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. Akron, Ohio-based craft brewery producing a range of ales and lagers including barrel-aged varieties. Highly comparable as a direct Akron local peer competing for the same regional craft consumer base and on-premise accounts.
• Great Lakes Brewing Co. Ohio-based craft brewery headquartered in Cleveland, comparable as a fellow Midwest craft producer with a taproom, distribution, and food-led taproom model. Operates in the same Ohio market and competes for similar craft enthusiast consumers.
• Tremont Brewing Co. Northeast Ohio craft brewery operating a taproom and producing small-batch craft beers. Comparable as a small, Ohio-based craft competitor with taproom-driven sales and local distribution focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hoppinfrog
• Facebookfacebook.com/hoppinfrog
• Instagraminstagram.com/hoppinfrogbrewery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hoppin' Frog