The Patchogue Beer Project brewery and tasting room opened its doors this January on Railroad Avenue in Patchogue.
It became an immediate hit within the craft beer community and beyond.
This weekend, the owners celebrated to their success with an all-day grand opening party and ribbon-cutting ceremony that was open to the general public. The event attracted local business and elected leaders as well.
“Patchogue has been on the forefront of the craft beer movement dating back to 1996 when the BrickHouse Brewery opened up,” said David Kennedy, executive director of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, “and this will help reestablish Patchogue as the craft beer capital of Long Island.”
Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri was also on hand.
“You look at a place like this, and the investment that they made, it is extremely important to us,” he said.
“Welcome to the Village of Patchogue,” he said with a glass raised.
The Patchogue Beer Project was previously described to us as the most state-of-the-art micro brew operation on Long Island.
There are no kegs, and the entire brewing process is visible to the public, with the storage areas, mash tons, fermenters and vessels all behind glass.
The beer is piped from the fermenters and across the ceiling to the storage tanks, which then feed the taps. There are even two storage tanks built into the tasting room bar.
For fun, the men’s room urinals were fashioned from old kegs.
Owners Ryan and Mackenzie Dispirito were also joined Saturday by friends and family, including co-owner Frank Viccaro, who is Ryan’s stepdad.
“It’s been great,” Ryan Dispirito said of the three-month run thus far, while thanking his wife. He also gave much credit to his stepfather.
“Without him this place would not be here today,” he said. “A better business partner, I couldn’t even imagine. Because of him this place is here today.
“This is all really for him, right now.”
Top: Frank Viccaro does the honors of cutting a ceremonial ribbon outside the new Patchogue Beer Project on Railroad Avenue in Patchogue. The actual address is 76 West Main Street. (Credit: Benny Migliorino/Benny Migs Photo)
Scroll down for interior file photos from Michael White.
