By Jessica Schultz
Southern Tier Brewing Company (STBC), if you live in Lakewood, NY chances are you’ve been to their flagship location at least once. The facility houses two taprooms. “The Empty Pint” offers a wide selection of cold packaged beer to go, along with growlers and crowlers of 14 draught beers, a gift shop, fresh pints by the glass and killer pub fare. “The Brewhouse Tasting Room” overlooks the gorgeous Steinecker brewhouse. There is also their distillery, Southern Tier Distilling, on the campus which houses a tasting room “The Empty Bottle”. During the summer they also have outdoor seating, a performance stage and stones course. All of this is set on a naturally wooded campus which includes several acres of wetland and preserve for waterfowl. These facilities located at Stoneman Circle in Lakewood; NY 14750 are open 7 days a week. More information and hours can be found at www.stbcbeer.com or by calling (716) 763-5479.
Since their humble beginnings, Southern Tier Brewing Company has grown into an industry leader and world class brewery. Today Southern Tier Brewing Company has taprooms in multiple cities including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Charlotte, and Buffalo.
It all started in 2002, when founders Sara DeMink, Phin DeMink and Allen “Skip” Yahn began the brewery with the mindset that they could revive the small-batch brewing tradition in the region. Using equipment from the Old Saddleback Brewing Co in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, they began production in the woods just outside of Lakewood, NY and a legacy was born.
Throughout the course of the years from their beginning in 2002 to the present, the brewing company has grown exponentially. In 2009 they added a 20,000 square foot building that included 800 barrels for fermentation and the most high-tech state of the art bottling line of its size in North America. Then in 2012 they installed a 10 Barrel Steinecker Brewhouse. Built in Germany, Southern Tier actually assembled the building around the new brewhouse. Overlooking the new brewhouse, is the Brewhouse Tasting Room, which is also the ending point of the Saturday afternoon tours. With 14 fresh draught lines, a fireplace and a cozy vibe, it is a pleasant place to enjoy samples of our many beers. The Brewhouse Tasting Room (Callander) is perfect for private events (call 716.763.5479×204 to book yours). At the same location The Empty Pint houses out-of-this-world dishes and house-smoked meats, while the Callander overlooks the gorgeous Steinecker brewhouse. Adjacent to all of this is our indoor/outdoor seasonal patio, warm-weather performance stage and stones course. And in 2013 the campus again expanded with the addition of a 45,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center. And in 2015, they formed the Southern Tier Distilling Co. on the same site as their original brewery location in Lakewood.
The distillery produces many different brews, from beer to whiskey and The Villager spoke to Distillery Director, Nathan Arnone about what their distillery produces, how their rewards program works and what his favorite part about working for the brewery entails.
The Villager (V): When and how was Southern Tier Distilling Co. portion of the business started?
Nathan (N): “Southern Tier Distilling Co started in 2015 by the founder of our brewery, – in the same spot as our original brewery in Lakewood, New York.”
V: What is your role at Southern Tier Distilling Co.?
N: “I am the Distillery Director. My responsibilities include planning our brands throughout the year, looking forward into the future, overseeing package design, and generally managing our brand.”
V: Can you tell me about the Liquid Culture Society program and how it works?
N: “Liquid Culture Society is a rewards program that can be used across any of our sister companies at Artisanal Brewing Ventures. We have relationships with Southern Tier Brewing Co, Victory Brewing from Downingtown, PA, Sixpoint Brewing from Brooklyn, and Bold Rock Ciders from Virginia. Visitors to any of our taproom locations can earn rewards on purchases including food, beverages and retail items. It’s a very simple app that keeps track of points that can be redeemed at any of our locations – including the distillery in Lakewood, New York.”
V: What kinds of beverages do you produce at your distillery?
N: “We distill and age a variety of bourbons and whiskeys, as well as vodka, gin, and a range of fun flavored whiskeys. For instance, Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and brands like our award-winning Pumking Whiskey, and its cream liqueur counterpart, The King Abides Whiskey Cream Liqueur are perfect for the occasion. In addition, we have a line of canned craft cocktails that are designed to be enjoyed straight from the can or poured over ice. We make a lot of different spirits!”
V: What is your most popular spirit?
N: “Our most popular spirit this time of the year is Pumking Whiskey, with our Cinnamon Candy Apple Whiskey holding the top spot throughout the year. Our Straight Bourbon is also very popular and was awarded Silver at this year’s San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Cinnamon Candy Apple Whiskey was awarded gold at the same event. We’re really proud of both of those spirits. Our most popular canned cocktail is also a tight race between Bourbon Smash and Vodka Madras, silver and double gold respectively in San Francisco this year. Those awards speak volumes about the quality of the products we make. I, myself, absolutely love our Smoked Bourbon, and have been enjoying it over the rocks with a 1/2oz splash of Cinnamon Candy Apple Whiskey. And if I had to pick a favorite canned cocktail of ours, I’d have to pick our newest limited edition, Whiskey Mule. It’s a delicious cocktail with our American Whiskey, vanilla, orange, and chai tea flavors. It’s going to be my beverage of choice while skiing in Ellicottville this winter.”
V: What is your most popular menu item?
N: “Our distillery tasting room, The Empty Bottle, at 2051A Stoneman Circle features a rotating cocktail menu, changing with the seasons. Throw at dart at any of our cocktails and you’ve picked our most popular. Of course, classics like Phin’s Old Fashioned is always on top. This fall the favorites are the Pumpkin Carver made with Pumking Whiskey, Pumking Ale from STBC, Local Apple Cider, and Ginger Ale with a cinnamon-sugar rim. It’s a delicious collaboration of Pumking Family favorites. And the Cinnaberry is made with Cinnamon Candy Apple Whiskey, Cranberry Juice, and FeverTree Ginger Ale. It’s sweet, slightly tart with cinnamon and ginger highlights and is the go-to drink of just about every Southern Tier Brewing/Distillery employee who enjoy a post-shift cocktail.”
V: What is your favorite part about working at Southern Tier Distilling Co.?
N: “There are a lot of great things about this company and about my role here at the distillery. Working on projects that won’t hit retail shelves for months or years is pretty fun. Working with our R&D crew, working with the personalities from the breweries and cideries across Artisanal Brewing Ventures is great. Lots of collaboration and sharing of ideas. For me, it’s always fun to see customers enjoying our products at tailgating at Bills games, at bars and restaurants around the area and in other parts of the country. For instance, we recently became aware of a viral social post created by Loryn Powell. She made a hilarious video about Pumking Whiskey and it has about a half million views. That’s pretty cool considering she did it on her own. And you know, at the end of the day we make spirits and beers. How can you not enjoy working at a place like this?”
Thank you, Nate, for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing all this great information. And a huge thank you to the whole Southern Tier Brewing Company and Southern Tier Distilling Company teams for all that you do to produce such great products.