Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery expands space, adds canned brew, celebrates 5 years

MASSILLON – Mike Malinowski is pleasantly surprised how his craft brewery downtown has taken off, or popped a few lids, over the years as the business approaches its five-year mark.

Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery launched in December 2017 at 128 North Ave. NE with about a half-dozens brews on tap and has flowed over to three times that amount now. Malinowski has also upped his staff from around four to 12 since year one.

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"I had no idea what I was getting into (a handful of years ago)," Malinowski said. "I had six beers on tap, and now we're up to 18. I own my own building, have a full kitchen and put on an addition.

"Things are going pretty good," he added.

Wholesale business accounts have skyrocketed the past few years, too, according to Malinowski, noting that he started with two in his first year and now has 75.

Paradigm Shift also celebrates its five-year anniversary on Saturday.

But there's more. Paradigm Shift is adding canned beer to its beverage lineup. Three varieties will be available in the near future, and two are coming out this weekend.

The canned brews are Rudolph's Revenge Christmas ale and the Rodeo Clown IPA, which are to be available Saturday. The Great Roper, a peanut butter and coffee infused porter, is being released a little further down the road, Malinowski said.

New Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery party room can seat up to 36 people

Another new offering at Paradigm Shift deals with a building expansion, as Malinowski has added a party room that can seat up to three-dozen people. Work on the project started over the summer and finished in mid-October.

"We needed to add some space to get more butts in the seats for parties, (live music) bands and summer events," he said.

Paradigm Shift is a more than 5,000-square-foot craft brewery with a 24-foot industrial-style bar and a tasting room. The operation has a 10-barrel brewing system.

Some popular beers are — but are not limited to — Spitfire, an Irish red ale; Rauch 'n Roll smoked beer; Coffee Brenda blonde ale; South of the Shift Mexican lager; and Island Juice, a coconut cream ale.

David Maley, Massillon's economic development director, called Malinowski a sound businessman and Paradigm Shift a popular city destination.

"He's done a wonderful job since opening a few years ago," Maley said. "We're really excited he's made a home downtown."

Mike Malinowski's taste for beer grew overseas while in U.S. Army

Malinowski, 60, is a former manager at Kraft Foods who has lived in the city for about 25 years.

The bug for brewing beer was sparked in the mid-1980s, while he was an infantryman in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Bamberg, Germany, and frequented a variety of pubs, enjoying the taste and quality of the beers offered there.

Malinowski got started brewing by doing his own research and through trial and error. He honed his craft by attending the Society of Akron Area Zymurgists, a homebrew club.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Paradigm Shift Craft Brewery expands in Massillon, adds cans