USA, NY: Birdland Brewing Co. opens in Horseheads

Birdland Brewing Co. opens for business this week, stargazette.com reported on November, 14.

The new brewery is owned by Dennis and Susan Edwards and Mike Hess, all from Horseheads.

Hess said the location having enough room should they decide to expand helped sell them on the building.

“We can build a bigger tasting room, if it’s needed, and we can get larger equipment and have a bigger cold room,” Hess said. “We started out small and got what we could afford without taking out bank loans.”

Birdland Brewing Co. will initially feature four types of beer, all made from Dennis Edwards’ recipes — an IPA, a pale ale and two styles of amber beers.

Seasonal brews will be added later and customers will be able to sample his brewing skills in the brewery’s 15-foot by 15-foot tasting room. The partners also plan to eventually install a bottling line, but for now, all beer will be sold in growlers.

“We’re licensed to sell wholesale, and we’re small enough to be able to be self-distributors,” said Dennis Edwards. “We’ve talked to a number of bars and taverns that are interested, and we’ve gotten a few positive responses.”

23 November, 2012