This past weekend, Shmaltz Brewing/Coney Island celebrated its official opening, ending an era of contract brewing. In fact, the event was labeled, “Death of a Contract Brewer,” and Shmaltz staff wore T-shirts with the catch phrase as several hundred visitors weathered 100+ degree temperatures in the pristine brewery. Owner Jeremy Cowan celebrated with specialty beers, arcade games, and a lot of love from area breweries, such as Peekskill Brewing, Keegan Ales, Adirondack Brewery, Empire, Kelso, C.H. Evans Brewing, Medocino, and Brown’s Brewing Co. Several homebrew clubs from upstate were also in attendance.
Brewery tours were headed by Jeremy and brewmaster Paul McErlean, who showed off the 200- and 100-gallon tanks that are creating new (He’)brews, such as the company’s first Black IPA (aptly named, Death of a Contract Brewer), which was available in limited quantities in both draft and bottles. The staff were also tapping rare barrel-aged brews straight from the casks throughout the day. Live music, burlesque acts, and food trucks rounded out the scene.
The new brewery is nestled in the hills just north of Albany (6 Fairchild Square, Clifton Park, NY) and is well worth the trip, if you happen to be in the area.