By Kate Bartlett
Ellicottville Brewing Company is partnering with over 16 Sports Fan Bases on their Fan Zone
Beer Project. This project is aimed at delivering a unique craft beer experience in support of fans
favorite teams, including St. Bonaventure and Canisius. EBC also offers tribute to several other
fan bases in the Northeast, including university and professional teams in Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and Michigan.
Zone Beer project started in 2022 as a way to enhance the
tailgating experience for sports enthusiasts.
According to Dan Minner, Head Brewer with EBC, the Fan Zone Beer project started in 2022 as a way to enhance the tailgating experience for sports enthusiasts. “We thought it’d be fun and
unique to make a craft beer with a label designed with fan favorite teams,” says Dan. Fan Zone
now collaborates with over sixteen universities and fanbases including: Pittsburgh Football,
Philadelphia Football, Cleveland Football, Cincinnati Football, New Jersey Football Teams,
Detroit Football, NY Baseball, Philadelphia Baseball, Buffalo Hockey, Philadelphia Basketball.
Fan Zone has featured several Buffalo Football super fans on their cans including Bills Elvis,
Pizza Pete, and Pinto Ron. “It really elevates the tailgaiting experience,” says Dan. “There’s
Bills Elvis, Pizza Pete, and Pinto Ron. “It really elevates the tailgaiting
experience,” says Head Brewer, Dan Minner. “There’s nothing better than preparing
for the game with a great craft beer that brings your team to life.” Fan
Zone has also worked with renown superfans in Detroit Macho Mane (Gary
Campionni pictured with Dan Minner) and Detroit Don.
nothing better than preparing for the game with a great craft beer that brings your team to life.”
Fan Zone has also worked with renown superfans in Detroit Macho Mane (Gary Campionni) and Detroit Don.
Fan Zone has helped Ellicottville Brewing Company reach a wider number of customers through this initiative. “We’ve been able to connect with fans as far as Michigan and New Jersey,
ultimately allowing us to branch into new markets and provide new opportunities for our company.”
Dan describes the EBC Fan Zone beer as a light IPA with popular hops including Simcoe and
Mosaic, giving it an almost tropical taste. Simcoe is known for it’s citrus and pine notes, while
Mosaic is known for tropical fruit, stone fruit and berry notes. “Our Fan Zone beer is thriving in
the craft beer market. It has easily become a favorite by many,” says Dan.
Fan Zone recently attracted the attention of the local Universities St. Bonaventure and Canisius. “We’ve really enjoyed working with these local universities,” remarks Dan. “It’s been great to help expand their marketing platforms all while supporting their sports teams.” Both colleges have seen a positive response since working with Fan Zone, especially in their Alumni relations. “We’re in our third iteration of our St. Bonaventure cans; the
first two were such a hit, we can’t wait to see how this one is received.”
Each market’s Fan Zone receives a unique label, and is periodically updated with additional
Super Fans, fan traditions, and popular jerseys, or updated logos and other designs. The label art
features game day activities, iconic figures and symbols, landmarks, and Easter eggs relevant to
the respective team’s culture and spirit. “Each artwork is intended to be highly engaging, packed
with detail, making it not just a label but a piece of memorabilia. The scenes mimic the energy of
a crowded tailgate.” E.B.C.’s graphic artist, Sara Corsi Staley says. Sara hand-draws every
aspect, in a manner where each character is drawn with exaggerated, yet simplified features that
convey personality, emotion, and easily identifiable features, but with minimal detail. It is a
group effort at E.B.C., who work together to decide what is included, what is featured,
background research, and more, which guides the creative process.
EBC is looking forward to collaborating on more Fan Zone projects, especially looking towards March Madness and the fall football season. “We’re thrilled with the response; it’s already provided so many more opportunities for partnerships, and we’re looking forward to what’s next,” says Dan.
For more information on Ellicottville Brewing Company and Fan Zone beer visit
ellicottvillebrewing.com or contact info@ellicottvillebrewing.com for more information about
partnerships and collaborations.