USA, NY: Stoneyard Brewing opening one more location in Penfield

Stoneyard Brewing is diligently working to conquer the west side of Monroe County, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported on May 31.

There is already the brewery and restaurant at 1 Main St. in Brockport. Construction is underway on a 20,000-square foot production brewery in Brockport. And just down Clinton Street, Stoneyard will be opening a breakfast company in the next few weeks.

Now, the Brockport-based brewery has set its sights on an east-side location. Owner Jay Nichols said the brewery has signed a lease for the former Capaldo's Recovery Room, 1517 Empire Blvd., Penfield.

The 8,000-square foot building, which will feature three dining rooms, two bars, and long German-style communal tables, should open in the middle of July as Stoneyard American Craft Beer Hall & Grill.

Nichols said the new Stoneyard location will also include a 2.5-barrel brewery (four fermenters and one Brite tank). The brewery won't be ready when the beer hall opens, however, but "will be ready soon after," Nichols said.

“I came here and looked at the place and fell in love with it,” Nichols said. “It’s big. But as big as it is, it’s still intimate.”

The layout includes a big rectangular portion that "feels like it should be a beer hall," Nichols added. The space will have big communal tables that are meant to mirror a German-style beer garden. "We want everyone to be best friends," Nichols noted, "and these tables will encourage people to talk to strangers."

Two other smaller dining rooms will allow more intimate seating arrangements. Those will be called the malts and hops rooms.

"We're an American craft brewery, so we're going to do an American craft beer hall," Nichols said. "We want people to come in, hang out with their friends. For the most part, it's going to be all American craft beer. It will be our food, with some menu items that are meant to be shared."

Nichols said all of the Stoneyard favorites, including the generously-sized paninis and gigantic burgers, will still be on the menu.

"I think there aren't any places like this in the area," Nichols said. "This place has that feel, and it fits our personality. I really, really think it fits the Stoneyard personality."

02 June, 2016