Tim Wilson explains the growler to Mayor Harp.
It took brothers Tim and Shaun Wilson a little longer than they’d hope to get the doors of the city’s first production brewery and beer hall open — about three years — but nobody was counting during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their Nicoll Street facility.
Everybody was too busy congratulating the Wilson brothers Thursday on their hard work and for not giving up.
Tim Wilson explains the growler to Mayor Harp.
The opening of the 100-seat, German-inspired brewery and beer hall completes the transformation of a former warehouse storage building for industrial machinery into a hive of activity that also includes mActivity gym and Rebel hair salon.
The taps have been flowing at East Rock Brewing Co. since August. City officials joined the owners for the official ribbon cutting and toast.
Not only can you get growlers to take home …
Mayor Toni Harp said while she’s not a big beer drinker, she enjoys the social aspect of the businesses.
“New Haven is a vibrant city of activism, engagement, and involvement, and this lends itself to that camaraderie,” she said.
… but caps …
Harp got her first lesson about one aspect of the business Thursday. She learned what a growler is and about its purpose. A growler is a glass jug that beer enthusiasts use to take some of East Rock Brewing Co.‘s beer home, Tim Wilson explained. Harp toasted her newfound education with a small glass of East Rock Brewing’s pilsner.
… and other branded merch like this sweatshirt.
“One thing I have learned about cities is that when you have a microbrewery, you have really become a happening city,” she said to the Wilson brothers. “Thank you for making it happen for New Haven.”
Tim serves up a round of East Rock Brewing’s Oktober Fest.
Steve Fontana, city deputy director of business development, said getting the doors of the brewery open delights him because he really enjoys craft beer. It’s an even greater boon for the city and the neighborhood because it creates jobs and brings in tax revenues, he said. Shaun Wilson said that the brewery employs 21 people, 16 part-time and 5 full-time. He said that there are plans to hire a few more part-timers and possibly another full-timer in the new year.
Mayor Harp and Steve Fontana raise a glass with Tim.
East Rock Alder Anna Festa said she was grateful for the foot traffic and increased safety the brewery brings to the neighborhood. She also doesn’t have to answer any more emails about when the brewery will open with the reply “soon.”
She noted that Tim Wilson and his wife and their new baby have decided to also call the neighborhood home.
“Thank you for choosing New Haven,” she said. “Thank you for choosing Goatville. This is a community hall where people can gather together, come and share their stories and toast to really a beautiful life.”
Tim takes Mayor Harp on a tour of the manufacturing area where the brewing magic happens.
In addition to growlers of beer, customers will be able to take home more traditional bottles. While they’re enjoying what’s on tap at the beer hall, they can snack on Whole G pretzels or they can order from nearby neighborhood restaurants. East Rock Brewing also is distributing to select package stores, bars and restaurants in New Haven, Fairfield and Middlesex counties.
Garrett Sheehan, president of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce, said the city has long been known as a restaurant destination, but now it will be known for its beverages too. And the fact that the brewery is also a manufacturer and distributor is a big deal for job creation, he said.
“I know it’s a lot of personal investment, and I appreciate you being here,” he said.
Tim Wilson said he and his brothers, Connecticut natives, grew up visiting New Haven, particularly the city’s museum exhibits, shows, concerts, and sporting events. They lived here as young adults — Shaun Wilson went to graduate school at Yale University — and spent a lot of time eating at local delis and restaurants.
He said it wasn’t all those amenities that they’d enjoyed over the years that made them want to open their business in New Haven.
“It was the genuine sense of community that we both experienced living here,” he said. “It was this pride in the community that attracted us to New Haven.”
Click the Facebook live video below to catch the presser before the ribbon cutting.
Read previous stories about East Rock Brewing Co. below
•Bring On The Suds!
•East Rockers Toast Brewery’s Revised Plan
•Brewery, WhatsApp Welcomed In East Rock
•East Rock Brewery Approved
•Microbrews Heading To East Rock