E-Malt.com News article: USA, NY: Kingston to become home for Great Life Brewing Company soon

For 30 years, Patrick Clancy has cooked up his own not-for-sale brew.

Today, the West Park man has his sights set on a commercial venture at 75 Clarendon Ave. in Kingston to be called the Great Life Brewing Company, Daily Freeman News reported on May 26.

Inside the building, Clancy plans to brew a small amount: 15,000 gallons of beer a year, or just about 1,000 kegs.

The brewery will take up about 3,000 square feet of space in the 15,000-square-foot vacant building.

Clancy and one other person will be the only employees when it opens. More employees could be hired in the future, Clancy said.

The Great Life Brewing Company is expected to start operations in the fall. The city’s Planning Board has already given its approval.

Clancy says he will need to get approvals from state and federal agencies.

The planned brewery has drawn support from Alderwoman Elisa Ball, D-Ward 6, who represents the area.

“Small breweries seem to be a growing trend in the Hudson Valley,” Ball said in an email. “I am so happy that they chose Kingston. Clarendon Ave is in a very nice quiet neighborhood with existing businesses, This will be a great addition.”

Clancy has worked for 35 years as a engineer and senior technology executive for a number of businesses as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Finding the right spot for his brewery wasn’t easy. Clancy said he looked at numerous spots in Ulster and Dutchess counties, finally settling on Kingston where utilities were all in place.

Another draw was Kingston’s water, Clancy said.

“I looked at a bunch of places in Ulster County and Duchess and it kept falling short for one reason or another,” Clancy said this week. “Kingston’s water is great for brewing.”

Clancy said he expects to sell the brew only to restaurants and taverns.

“Great Life Brewing Company is a brewery-in-planning that will produce unique, handcrafted beers reflecting the charm and character of the Mid-Hudson Valley,” says a summary of Clancy’s plan submitted to the city’s Planning Office. “Our beers, three flagship ales and a seasonal variety beer, are all created from pure water, barely, hops and yeast. . .”

All of the bands have names referencing historical events – like 1875 Milk Stout and 1829 IPA – explained on the labels.

“Our naming scheme takes a historical tack; for example, our “1758 Witbier” label commemorates the fact that in 1758, the Belgian town of Hoegaarden boasted 35 Witbier breweries: one for every 50 of its residents,” Clancy said in an email.



28 May, 2014