E-Malt.com News article: USA, NY: New K2 Brothers Brewing location opens in Rochester’s Freewill Elementary School

The first time Cathy Contino walked through the doors of the Freewill Elementary School, the national voting age had been lowered from 21 to 18 and the rock band Led Zeppelin was about to release the album that contained the song "Stairway to Heaven," which would come to be the slow dance number of school dances for many years to come, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.

1971 - what a year, and what a different time for the former elementary school teacher and 30 or so of her colleagues who helped open the Wayne County school.

Last weekend, Contino and several other teachers and staff walked through the doors once again, this time for the grand opening of Kyle and Brad Kennedy’s new K2 Brothers Brewing location, which is now open at the former school.

Why, the din in K2’s new tasting and dining area — the school's former cafetorium — almost approached the decibel levels of yesteryear, when excited tykes dug into the square pizzas at lunchtime on a Friday. The band thurlow. performed from the same stage where the fifth-grade band and musically inclined teachers once performed holiday concerts, and its '70s-esque light show was a bonus.

“I’m so proud of Kyle and his accomplishments,” Contino said at the grand-opening celebration Saturday. “He feels just the way we all felt. We were so proud. How many teachers get to start a brand-new school?”

K2 Brothers Brewing opened in 2017 at 1221 Empire Blvd., across from Irondequoit Bay in Penfield, in the former All That Jazz antiques store. The new location takes up a portion of the beloved former elementary school, which was closed in 2017 because of declining enrollment.

This new Walworth location is huge, by the way, enabling K2 to not only expand into a new market but also to expand their product beyond the immediate area, said Kyle Kennedy, in between tours of the facility.

The Penfield location operates under a 7-barrel system; in Walworth, they have 20 barrels to work with, meaning, of course, lots more beer. They also added on a “ginormous” school kitchen to boot, Kennedy said.

“We’re so excited to be able to do this,” Kennedy said.

The Kennedys purchased the former school in May, with their dad Richard handling the substantial renovation work (mom Lori does the bookkeeping). Expect more in the future, as only a fraction of the property is being used right now. For instance, ask him about the former school gym, which could see a fun use over time.

General Manager Adam Cormack said there is a long-term vision for a year out from now, two years out and so on, and it's all based on their mission of turning something old into something great.

State Sen. Pam Helming, R-Canandaigua, said to see an investment into a once-empty school building, and then to see the business grow as a result, is exciting.

“All the hard work, the blood, sweat and tears you have invested, is truly appreciated,” Helming said.

Many of the former Freewill school and Walworth community are buying into K2's vision as well, including those who received a sneak-peek tour of the brewery the day before opening.

“A lot of people were very emotional,” Cormack said. “We had a woman who found her daughter’s nametag still on one of the cubbies in a classroom. It was really neat.”

Former school nurse Cynthia Showman pointed to where her former office used to be as well as the faculty lounge, all near K2’s new tasting room and dining area. It's almost like she never left.

“It’s kind of surreal – a lot of memories, a lot of good memories here,” Showman said.

The same sentiment goes for Theresa Grevell, who came with husband Ken. Their kids went to the school.

“It’s a great opportunity for Walworth,” Grevell said. “The food here is great. The beers are awesome.”

It took a lot of work and a lot of stress, but Kennedy said he and his family are excited to finally be here.

“It’s so cool to see people so genuinely happy,” Kennedy said.

Don't worry, you don't have to complete any homework assignments in order to visit the new K2 Brothers Brewing site at the former Freewill Elementary School, 4320 Canandaigua Road, Walworth.

But you might want to do some background reading before heading to "school," as the selection is vast.

Customer Theresa Grevell praised the wide variety of beers for people who have different tastes. For instance, she's not a fan of stouts, but she enjoys the Imperial Triple Berry Sour and Luigi's Limoncello pilsner.

K2 is known for its Blue Razz Sour and New England-style IPA, but don't sleep on the Jalapeño Cream Ale, which has been a fan favorite from the beginning, said co-owner Kyle Kennedy.

"That was one of our home-brewing beers that transitioned here," Kennedy said. "You either love it or hate it, but to me it’s a great dinner beer."

And should your Buffalo Bills wind up playing the Miami Dolphins again on the way to the Super Bowl, you may have to try the Squish the Fish Sour, just because.


11 January, 2024