Stark County's largest brewery is getting a new owner

Royal Docks Brewing Co. — the largest Stark County-based craft brewery — is getting a new owner.

An investment group chaired by Andrew Gould, CEO of North Canton-based Squirrels, has taken a controlling interest in the British-themed business, the brewery announced Friday. Squirrels is a software company.

Royal Docks, which has locations in Jackson Township and Plain Township, will use the new investment to open a third taproom in late July or early August in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood. The brewery had announced its plans in February for the Tied House at the corner of West 28th Street and Detroit Avenue.

"Ohio City is the next frontier for Royal Docks, and we are eager to unveil our plans," Gould said in a prepared statement. "Our aim is to ensure our Northeast Ohio customers are always within reach of a fresh Royal Docks beer.”

Royal Docks 'needed the right partners'

John and Adriana Bikis and brewmaster Dave Sutula founded Royal Docks in 2015. It was built on a theme of a British pub. Royal Docks now operates both taprooms and a production brewery.

John and Adriana Bikis and Sutula are remaining with the brewery, known for beers such as Backyard Crusher and Vlad the Impaler.

“When we set out to open a location in Ohio City, we knew we needed the right partners that not only brought capital but could help us take things to the next level,” John Bikis said in a prepared statement. “We’re confidentwe’ve found those partners in Andrew and his team.”

Royal Docks said it's also committed to expanding its distribution to bars, restaurants and stores in Northeast Ohio.

Sutula said the brewery had plans to ween itself off distribution years ago and open more taprooms.

"We've got to be more local to more places," he said.

The goal is to open five locations, he said.

The Royal Docks expansion comes at the same time that many craft breweries are struggling with increased competition and younger drinkers gravitating more to seltzers and cocktails than beer. Earlier this year, R. Shea Brewing Co. in Akron closed and Strongsville-based The Brew Kettle bought Lock 15 Brewing Co. in Akron.

Despite the challenges, Ohio set a record for craft breweries last year, with 434 operating in the Buckeye State.