USA, NY: Irish Mafia Brewing Company already open in Bloomfield

Mark Mansfield knew he wanted his craft-brewing business to have some tie to Ireland, MPNnow.com reported on December 14.

So Mansfield binge watched Irish movies of all sorts — new, old, funny, serious. Nothing stuck.

As a vice president of corporate sales at Corsair Display Systems at the time, Mansfield, who said he is half-Irish, traveled a lot. On one business trip he was reading the book “Black Mass” about Irish gangster Whitey Bulger.

“Halfway through it, I shut the book. I leaned right over to the guy next to me and said, ‘What do you think of the Irish Mafia Brewing Company?’” Mansfield said. “He said, ‘That’s awesome. Is that your company?’ I said, ‘Yep.’ And that’s the not-so-sexy story of our name.”

And in November, the Irish Mafia Brewing Company opened on Whalen Road, near the intersection with Routes 5 and 20 known as Toomey’s Corners in Bloomfield, NY. Mansfield’s mother is a Toomey.

“It’s kind of cool to bring the Toomey back to Toomey’s Corners,” Mansfield said. “Just coming back to Bloomfield is a big thing for me. I spent the most important years of my life, which is developing and friendships and a sense of home, here.”

And one of his first orders of business, after purchasing the building, which most recently housed an antiques store, and beginning to gut it and transform it to its current state, was hiring a general manager.

Courtney Dolan, a Victor native, has a food, restaurant and events background. She had taught at the New York Wine and Culinary Center and most recently was a consultant for a Horseheads brewery.

“I had always had the passion, dream, vision to see something unfold from the beginning and be a part of it,” Dolan said. “When Mark told me about the opportunity, I was like, OK. We got a building to work on.”

In addition to craft brews — his brother owns War Horse Brewing and Three Brothers Wineries and Estates — visitors can enjoy lunches and dinner. The specialty of the house is the Mighty Ego IPA.

The business already has a following, with Mansfield counting on more as the ski season at Bristol Mountain begins to hit its peak.

Having a place like this is appreciated by locals, said Bill Colburn of Bristol.

“It’s nice to have a new place in the area,” Colburn said.

Having good beer and good food is only part of the puzzle, and Mansfield said one more thing ties it all in — marketing, which happens to be his area of expertise.

Customers can take part in a rewards program and become part of the Irish Mafia, whether a foot soldier or all the way up to the top, don. A host of merchandise also is available, from glasses to clothing.

“It’s our way of being neighborly,” Dolan said. “Once you become part of the following, you become part of the family. We want to take care of you just like you show love to us.”

Mansfield said he wants it to be like his Irish family.

“We really want to make it more inviting and a place where people want to hang out,” Mansfield said. “We want people to come for tastings, but also a good time, dinner and to have fun with friends.”

17 December, 2017