Southern Tier Brewing Company

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Caption: Lakewood’s best-known brewery is opening its newest satellite taproom in the LECOM Harborcenter on Tuesday, September 28 at 3pm.

Newest Satellite Taproom Opening in Buffalo

By Jessica Miller

 

   One doesn’t have to be a craft beer enthusiast or even from Lakewood to be familiar with the Southern Tier Brewing Company brand name. At least one variety or another of Southern Tier can be found on shelves or on tap in more than 30 states and internationally, and there are currently four tap rooms open in four states, with a fifth soon to open soon in Buffalo (7 Scott St), nearest of the satellite tap rooms to the original location in Lakewood (2072 Stoneman Cir).

   Southern Tier Brewing Company began in 2002 when Phineas DeMink, Sara DeMink, and Allen “Skip” Yahn bought brewing equipment from the Old Saddleback Brewing Company in Pittsfield, MA. This secondhand gear is how the DeMinks and Yahn got their start and claimed their place in the area’s already rich brewing history. The original brewery space opened on April 7, 2003 where the inaugural lineup of brews (IPA, Mild, Pilsner, and Porter) were made and bottled. The next year expanded palates and boundaries by introducing its dessert stout Blackwater Series Imperial Stout, followed by rotating seasonal beers.

   As flavor offerings and sales expanded, so too did a need for more room. Newer and larger barrels, faster bottling lines, overall increased physical space, and an inviting taproom called The Empty Pint were built not only as comfortable enhancements but as mandatory investments in Southern Tier Brewing Company’s future. Not long after these assets were completed, the brewery built a 45,000 square foot distribution center and warehouse to meet logistics requirements and a yeast parlor to cultivate supply and maintain the yeast demands of production.

   Victory Brewing Company, a Philadelphia based fellow craft beer juggernaut, entered a partnership with Southern Tier Brewing Company in 2016. This alliance, called the Artisanal Brewing Ventures holding company, expanded the reach of both brands and contributed to Southern Tier Brewing Company becoming the fifth largest craft beer label in the United States. Another demonstration of growth from the year was the opening of Southern Tier Distilling (2015A Stoneman Cir) in the previous brewery space. Southern Tier Distilling brought its farm to glass approach to spirits with fresh cocktails served onsite and liquors bottled and sold in eight states.

   Southern Tier’s first satellite taproom opened in Pittsburgh in 2017 (316 N. Shore Dr) to serve their mainstay varieties as well as local only brews. Not to be outdone, Cleveland’s Southern Tier Brewing Company taproom (811 Prospect Ave E) opened in 2018, as did the Charlotte, NC satellite (4001 Yancheng Rd #1735). Like their Steel City cousin, both locations serve 30 Southern Tier national and city favorite branded spirits, hard ciders, and beers.

   The latest taproom growth spurt is imminently arriving under an hour from where it all began. Downtown Buffalo will be the latest addition to the venues when the former 716 Food and Sport (7 Scott St) completes the transition to its new life as a Southern Tier brewpub. The Buffalo grand opening is scheduled for September 28 at 3pm. Merchandise, spirits, and 12 packs can be purchased onsite, and regional Buffalo cuisine will be prominently offered on the menu.

   Although not everyone might know the town of Lakewood, they might just know the Southern Tier by its namesake beers. This is especially likely with the increasing prominence and presence of the brand and the various local influences. It’s now even possible to have a pint of home outside of New York.

 


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