USA, NY: Smugtown Brewing Co. seeking permission for a brewhouse in Henrietta

Henrietta is known for robust commercial development, but as far as anyone can recall (including town historian Tina Thompson), it's never had a craft brewery, the Democrat and Chronicle reported on May 8.

Said town Supervisor Stephen Schultz, “It seems like for a town this size, how could there not be one?”

There may be soon. Smugtown Brewing Co. is seeking permission to operate a five-barrel brewhouse in a storefront in Town Center Plaza (formerly Suburban Plaza), 2199 East Henrietta Road.

In addition to brewing beer and selling other alcoholic drinks, plans call for offering dine-in and takeout food service, outdoor seating, live music and DJs.

Planned hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Co-owned by plaza owner Joel Chiarenza and Jason Fox, head of brewing at Battle Street Brewery in Dansville, Smugtown has applied for a special-use permit, which will be the subject of a public meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at Henrietta Town Hall, 475 Calkins Road.

According to the permit application, Smugtown will have 12 beers on tap, a combination flagship and seasonal varieties and beers made in collaboration with other breweries.

Distilled liquors, wines, ciders and beers made in New York state also will be sold.

A small kitchen will serve a simple menu including pizza, boneless wings, quesadillas, charcuterie boards and pretzels.

The business also will have access to a mobile canning company, allowing for the sale of beer in cans and kegs.

Even in advance of the meeting, Schultz has gotten feedback from residents about the project, and so far, all the comments have been positive. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t negative ones out there,” he said. “But everyone I’ve talked to is excited about it, including people who live right nearby.”

In choosing Henrietta to locate its business, Smugtown cited the size of the suburb, which, with more than 47,000 residents is the fourth-largest in Monroe County, according to 2020 census data. Henrietta also is the county's fastest-growing suburb, having seen a population increased of 10.6% between 2010 and 2020.

09 May, 2023