Something’s brewing in Glendale.
Craft beer makers Kevin Stafford and Basil Lee, Brooklyn residents, are building Finback Brewery in the Queens neighborhood and planning to open in November.
Lee, a Harvard-educated architect, and Stafford, an art designer, were frequent home brewers, but finally decided to take the leap a few years ago to open a full brick-and-beer location.
“I like it, because it’s creative. Making beer is like an art,” Stafford said. “There are so many different variables and so many different ingredients that go into the beers. It’s a fun art.”
After deciding to open the brewery they searched for a location throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Finding the large building at 78-01 77th Avenue was akin to the “Goldilocks and The Three Bears” tale, they said.
“One thing or another wouldn’t work, it’s too expensive, it’s too small, the ceiling is too low,” Lee said. “We didn’t know Glendale well, but we loved the space.”
When completed, the brewery, named Finback Brewery in tribute to the finback whale that washed up on the shores of Breezy Point last year, will have a tasting section and catering room for special events. They already have many ideas for favors and some craft beers lined up, including a hops-filled American India Pale Ale, which is citrusy, and “double sess,” which is flavored with ginger and peppercorns. They also hope to barrel age and brew various sour beers.
File photo
The brewery is only now beginning to take shape. The brewing vats are in place and most of the walls have been carved out, but there is quite a lot of work left to be done.
The pair is also hoping to raise $28,000 through the crowd-funding site, Kickstarter. The money is for extra equipment and the pair has already garnered more than $18,000.
The pair will host a grand opening party, with a date to be announced.
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