Carol Fisher Linn
A ski trip to Vail in the 93-94 ski season and an introduction to a small independent craft brew pub led to the idea of bringing a brewery to Ellicottville. Peter Kreinheder knew there was a building on Monroe Street in Ellicottville that could work. With no experience in brewing and only a short background in manufacturing, he justified his background since brewing beer is a manufacturing “thing”. He thought … “If Vail of the 90’s could pull this off, why couldn’t Ellicottville?” After all, weren’t we at that time nicknamed “The Aspen of the East?” He saw the similarities and actually felt we were a step ahead of Vail because Holiday Valley had a relationship with the village since the get-go. Vail was just building that. As a result, investors and partners, brothers Skip and Walter Yahn, said “develop a good plan and we will help you buy the building.”
Their slogan, “Brewed to Entertain,” doesn’t just speak to locals. EBC has received multiple International World Beer Championship Awards for their commitment of quality, innovation and a diverse range of beers. It started as a family affair and to this day remains pretty much so.
By 1995, his first year, he was renting from Doug Smith. He was a reluctant restauranteur and even found a way for his customers to grill their own steaks in the back so he didn’t need a chef to do that. But, his brew pub was growing and he knew, he needed a chef. Tom Kneeland (famous for his recipes that became President Reagan’s favorite, “Tom’s Mom’s Cookies”) came to Ellicottville and took on that department. A funny story Peter tells is that first year, at Fall Fest, he and Tom were convinced they would be swamped so they cooked up 75 turkeys. He laughs when he tells how every freezer available in town and Holiday Valley held turkeys from that attempt.
Kreinheder was a pioneer in WNY Craft Brewery industry. Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC) was one of the first 40 in NYS; today there are over 400.
Their slogan, “Brewed to Entertain,” doesn’t just speak to locals. EBC has received multiple International World Beer Championship Awards for their commitment of quality, innovation and a diverse range of beers. It started as a family affair and to this day remains pretty much so.
At the ten-year anniversary, Kreinheder had the opportunity to buy out the Yahn brothers and became sole owner of a growing enterprise. That was the year, 2005, when he finally bought the Monroe Street building and the Fredonia location was added to the EBC family.
formerly served as the Surf Club on Lakeside Drive
in Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake. EBC on Chautauqua
opened in 2016 (top photo).
Also, in 2015 EBC bought a 7500 square foot warehouse
in Little Valley and created a 60-barrel brew
house and production facility that also serves traditional
pub fare and gourmet hand-made pizza and
serves as an events center (pictured below).
By 2011 they were a 30-barrel facility and needed to expand. They moved what had been previously Kabob’s restaurant on Monroe Street in Ellicottville behind the EBC building to expand its brew house. Over the years they tried several uses for that building in the back including a cannabis dispensary until they were given a permit to develop a Boutique Hotel and by 2025 “The Guest House by EBC” was opened. In fact, they now have a second boutique hotel on route 219 in the old Fatty Beer Building near the corner of 219 and 242.
In 2015 Kreinheder bought the 250-seat building that formerly served as the Surf Club on Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake. EBC on Chautauqua opened in 2016.
Also, in 2015 EBC bought a 75,000 square foot warehouse in Little Valley and created a 60-barrel brew house and production facility. But wait, did I say they also serve traditional pub fare and gourmet hand-made pizza?
After a trip to Mexico in 2019, more inspiration led to the 2020 purchase of the building housing the old Gin Mill and the establishment (yep, during COVID!) of the Ellicottville Brewing Tap & Bottle Taqueria. For someone who didn’t want to be a restaurateur, Kreinheder’s eating facilities were adding up.
In speaking with Dan Minner, Chief Brewmaster, who has been with EBC pretty much since the beginning and now locates himself at the Little Valley facility, he pointed out that many of the alumni of EBC have gone on to form craft beer places of their own or to work for Big brewing companies. The idea of family runs deep with many family members directly involved in the business, but moreover employees stay for long periods and become part of the larger EBC “family”. Acknowledging he couldn’t run these places without them, Kreinheder began naming individuals which would take another full article to detail. Suffice it to say, he is a grateful man for all in his “family” circle. From starting out with ten or fewer employees (and a steadfast Norm Koch always by his side to add a little color and humor), Kreinheder told me that last week he signed over 237 paychecks. That’s a lot of family.
What will happen in the next 30 years? He is identifying the next generation of those in the company to discover what their vision is. They have room for events, 7+ acres of land to play with in Little Valley with a lot of outdoor/indoor options. Stay tuned! And Happy anniversary EBC!
P.S. EBC will be celebrating their 30th anniversary all year long with throw-back items on the food and beer menu like Two Brothers Pale ale and Buchan Nut Brown. Memorabilia like glasses and t-shirts will also be available for purchase. Join the fun and toast their wonderful success.