If you've driven out to Wakeman, Ohio, you know the landscape. It's farmland, quiet roads, and the kind of countryside that feels a long way from Cleveland or Columbus. Muffleheads Brewery sits at 4931 Fitchville River Road in that setting. It's a five-barrel tap house with bonfires, wooded trails, two indoor bars, and live music that might be metal one night and acoustic the next. Owner Skip Stone and head brewer Jeff Blodgett run the place, and they've built something that fits. The beer rotates fast, the ingredients come from the region when they can, and the tap list has grown to eighty-nine beers on Untappd.
Muffleheads Brewery. Photo: Untappd.
The Name: Muffleheads and Lake Erie Midges
The name comes from a creature that anyone on Ohio's north coast knows. A mufflehead is a Lake Erie midge, a non-biting fly in the family Chironomidae. They're bigger than mosquitoes, with brush-like antennae on the males, and they hatch by the millions from the lake in late spring. The Ohio Nature Blog describes them as creatures that "mate and die quickly" after emerging, and they've been part of Lake Erie lore for generations. In 2007, midges famously swarmed Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain during a playoff game in Cleveland, and the Indians came back to win. The brewery leans into that regional identity. You'll find Bug Juice, Bugtoberfest, Skeeter Juice, Mufflehead Fruit Fly, and Muffleheads Bug Light on the tap list. The bug theme runs through the beer names, and it ties the place to the land and the lake. Gore Orphanage Pumpkin Ale nods to a local legend about an abandoned orphanage in nearby Vermilion. The beer names are rooted in the region.
The Space: Countryside, Bonfires, and Two Bars
Muffleheads sits in the country. The brewery's about page says they want to be "your oasis from the city life while bringing you to the party of the countryside," and the space backs that up. There are two indoor bars, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, multiple fireplaces, and outdoor games. You can walk in the woods, gather around a bonfire, or settle in at a table. The visit page mentions a designated room for private events: bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, class reunions, and weddings. Henry and Bentley, the brewery's resident dogs, roam the property and greet customers. Dogs are welcome as long as they're leashed and friendly.
Live music runs regularly, and the vibe shifts by the night. The about page says you might arrive to metal music, relax to an acoustic session, or "dust off your boots after dancing to country all night long." The brewery aims for variety. It's the kind of place where you can show up with a group, find a spot inside or out, and stay for a few hours without feeling rushed. The outdoor space is a big part of the draw. When the weather cooperates, the bonfire areas and wooded trails give you room to spread out. In winter, the fireplaces and indoor seating keep things comfortable. The layout works for a quick stop or a long afternoon.
The Team: Skip Stone and Jeff Blodgett
Skip Stone owns Muffleheads. Jeff Blodgett runs the beer program as head brewer. The brewery's philosophy shows up in how they talk about ingredients and process. They use high-quality ingredients and give beer the proper time to mature before serving. The about page says they aim to be "as self-sufficient as possible" and that they "locally source the majority of their ingredients from the region." They care about the community and want to support local businesses. That kind of thinking shapes the tap list. With a five-barrel system and fast rotations, they can experiment and respond to what drinkers want. The result is a wide range of styles, from IPAs and porters to fruit beers and cream ales.
The Beer: Bug Juice, Flying Saucer, and Eighty-Nine Rotating Beers
The beer program is built around variety. Muffleheads runs a five-barrel tap house with fast rotations, so the list changes often. At last count they had eighty-nine beers on Untappd, and the brewery's beer page notes that "the beers listed may not be on tap currently." That's part of the draw. You show up and see what's pouring.
Bug Juice is a New England hazy IPA at 8.7% ABV. It's one of the most checked-in beers and sits at 3.58 on Untappd with over a hundred ratings. Peanut Butter Porter, at 8.3%, has peanut and cocoa notes and clocks in at 3.94. Flying Saucer is a double IPA at 8.2% that regulars keep coming back to. Hefewisen is a 4.1% hefeweizen that works as an easy-drinking option. Mig Imperial Coffee Stout hits 10% and has drawn strong ratings at 3.91. Horsefly Black IPA, a Cascadian dark ale at 7.5%, sits at 3.77. Mufflehead Fruit Fly is a hazy IPA at 5.3% with a 3.79 rating. The Dragon Fly, Raspberry Rush Ale, Blueberry Vanilla Ale, and Gore Orphanage Pumpkin Ale round out a list that rewards curiosity.
Bug Juice. Photo: Tnick1 N, Untappd.
The brewery sits at 3.6 on Untappd with over 1,900 ratings and 2,100 check-ins. The fact that people are coming back and trying different beers says something about the range and the quality.
Peanut Butter Porter. Photo: Tnick1 N, Untappd.
Flights let you sample. If you want something approachable, try Hefewisen or Vanilla Creme Ale. For something bigger, Flying Saucer or Mig Imperial Coffee Stout. The staff can steer you. With eighty-nine beers in the catalog and fast rotations, there's usually something new to try. Jack Hammer is an 8.1% imperial double IPA with a 3.72 rating for those who want a full-bodied hop punch. Kolsch and Muffleheads Bug Light offer lighter options. The brewery also makes hard seltzers for anyone who wants something outside the beer lineup. The range is part of what keeps people coming back.
The Food: Food Trucks and Events
Muffleheads doesn't run a kitchen. Instead, food trucks visit weekly. The brewery's beer page directs you to the events page for the food truck schedule. The setup works for a countryside tap house. You grab a beer, find a seat, and when a truck rolls in you have options. The events page and Facebook keep you posted on who's coming and when. If you're planning a visit, it's worth checking ahead to see what's on for food. The model is common for tap houses that focus on beer first. It keeps overhead down and lets the brewery rotate through different vendors, so the food options change regularly. Some visitors bring their own snacks or plan to eat before or after. The key is to know what to expect. Beer is the main draw, and the food trucks are a bonus when they're there.
Wakeman and Huron County
Wakeman sits in Huron County, in the northern part of Ohio between Cleveland and Sandusky. Fitchville River Road runs through rural countryside. The area is largely agricultural, and Muffleheads fits that context. This is a destination brewery. People drive out from the surrounding towns and from farther away because the setting and the beer are worth the trip. The brewery is a member of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association and shows up on brewery directories across the state. For Huron County and the surrounding region, it's a place where you can get craft beer, hear live music, and spend an afternoon or evening without the bustle of a city taproom. Norwalk is about fifteen minutes away. Vermilion and the Lake Erie shore are within driving distance. If you're heading to the lake for the day or passing through on your way to Sandusky or Cleveland, Muffleheads is a solid stop. The countryside setting makes it feel like a getaway, even if you're only an hour from the city.
What Patrons Say
The Untappd check-ins tell the story. People come from the area and from farther away. Tnick1 N had a run of Nutty Bugger, Peanut Butter Porter, and Bug Juice on a Saturday in January 2026. Chad A. Shull worked through a flight that included Nutty Bugger, Lawn Mower, Lake Effect Winter Warmer, Flying Saucer, and Bugtoberfest. Christine Elmore and Meg Fortney have checked in multiple beers from the taproom. beer_hunter_64 has been in for Flying Saucer and Christmas Ale. The brewery has also reached distribution. Todd Goldman checked in Skeeter Juice at Sedona Taphouse in Virginia Beach. C Rode had the Hefewisen at home. Mats Voxlin had it at a hotel in Wroclaw, Poland. The beer travels.
Flying Saucer. Photo: Christine Elmore, Untappd.
Bugtoberfest. Photo: Christine Elmore, Untappd.
For a countryside tap house with a five-barrel system and fast rotations, that's a solid showing. People are finding beers they like and coming back for more.
Practical Stuff
Muffleheads Brewery is at 4931 Fitchville River Road, Wakeman, OH 44889. Phone: 440-225-8272. Hours: Thursday 4 to 10 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 1 to 11 p.m., Sunday 1 to 8 p.m. They're closed Monday through Wednesday. Check the events page and Facebook for holiday hours and special events.
Food trucks visit weekly. Check the events page for the schedule. The brewery has a private event room for bridal showers, baby showers, birthday parties, class reunions, and weddings. Reservations and details are available through the website or by phone. The place is dog-friendly. Henry and Bentley are on-site. Bring a leash and make sure your dog is friendly with others. Parking is available. The taproom and outdoor areas are accessible. If it's your first visit, get a flight to sample the range. Bug Juice, Flying Saucer, and Peanut Butter Porter are safe bets. Ask the staff what's new. With fast rotations, there's usually something worth trying.
Bottom Line
Muffleheads Brewery sits on Fitchville River Road in rural Huron County. The name comes from the Lake Erie midge, and the beer names run with that theme. Bug Juice, Bugtoberfest, Skeeter Juice, and Mufflehead Fruit Fly tie the place to the region. Skip Stone and Jeff Blodgett run a five-barrel tap house with fast rotations and locally sourced ingredients when possible. The space has two bars, fireplaces, bonfires, wooded trails, and live music that ranges from metal to acoustic to country. Food trucks visit weekly. Henry and Bentley greet customers. The tap list has grown to eighty-nine beers, and the brewery sits at 3.6 on Untappd with over 1,900 ratings. We think they've built something that fits the countryside. If you're in Huron County or passing through Wakeman, it's worth a stop.
Sources
About. Muffleheads Brewery. https://muffleheadsbrewery.com/about/ (Accessed March 2026).
Visit. Muffleheads Brewery. https://muffleheadsbrewery.com/visit-us/ (Accessed March 2026).
Muffleheads Brewery. Ohio Craft Brewers Association. https://ohiocraftbeer.org/breweries/muffleheads-brewery/ (Accessed March 2026).
Muffleheads Brewery. Untappd. https://untappd.com/w/muffleheads-brewery/469836 (Accessed March 2026).
The Ohio Nature Blog. "Muffleheads, Midges, or Chironomids – Your Choice." June 2009. http://www.ohionatureblog.com/2009/06/muffleheads-midges-or-chironomids-your.html (Accessed March 2026).