About
Good friends sharing values of community, authenticity, quality, and of course, great beer
The Founders:
John Menapace, Hope Strods, Dorothy Krause, Sal Strods, and Dan Welch - Owners
John Menapace, Dan Welch, Dorothy Krause, Hope & Sal Strods tossed around the idea of opening a brewery. John owned an old mill building on Skaneateles Creek (the outlet of pristine Skaneateles Lake) that had history and charm (and the challenges that go with it). In the summer of 2018 the renovation and buildout of the taproom and brewhouse began.
Fast forward to December 2019, we opened Skaneateles Brewery. We were so excited to bring this project, a labor of love, to the community. Then Covid arrived. At first we managed to survive by selling crowlers to-go through a small makeshift window. Eventually we were able to open the Taproom and outdoor spaces again, and more interior spaces were created. And here we are now. We’re proud to harness the best water in all of the Fingerlakes, pay tribute to Skaneateles Creek’s historic past, be a committed member of the Skaneateles community, and brew fantastic beer.
The Brew Master
Thoughtfully crafting award-winning beers that are both interesting and very drinkable
Chris Fann - Head Brewer
Chris was born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and it’s where he developed his knowledge and passion for brewing. Starting by washing kegs and running a small bottling line, he worked his way up to the brew deck, and then made the move to Stable Craft Brewing as the Head Brewer. He produced award winning beer and oversaw multiple expansions of production. Wanting to expand his career, he decided to continue on a path in the industry that led to Upstate New York.
With over 10 years of experience, drinkability is at the core of Chris’s brewing philosophy. He relishes in developing beers that invite another sip while incorporating local and regional ingredients into his beers as much as possible. Many of the beers you taste today are 100% NY Grown! Regardless of beer style, there is no doubt you can taste the thought and detail that went into every drop!
If you don’t see Chris at the brewery, he’s spending time with his wife and son or trying to finish one of the many renovation projects that never seem to end. If you do see him at the bar or downstairs working, make sure to say hi!
And congratulate him on the Gold Medal his Major Trail Brown Ale won at the New York State Craft Brewers’ Association Annual Competition!
The Location
A picturesque village overlooking one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the U.S.
The town of Skaneateles is known for its beautiful, namesake lake, which is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. Skaneateles Lake is a Finger Lake, having been formed by glaciers scratching into the land like a big hand, many, many years ago (hence the word "Finger”). Skaneateles Lake is also known for being very deep (over 300’ in places), spring-fed, crystal-clear, gorgeously-blue, and usually relatively COLD. People used to come from all over the country to benefit from the supposed healing properties of the water. We don’t know if the lake is healing but it certainly makes us happy. It’s always a joy to experience Skaneateles Lake, while on a boat, sitting on a bench in the park, or even just catching a glimpse of the blue waters while driving through the village. We’re grateful and proud that the water we use to make our beer comes from Skaneateles Lake. For us it feels like another way to experience the lake, in every sip of our beer.
Skaneateles Village Photo by: Skan-Drone
The Building
Historical, full of character, and with many past lives
Old Mill Building, circa A Long Time Ago
Our historical, creekside building has had many lives, and has always been an integral part of the local and regional community. It’s been home to a grist mill, a distillery (both in the 1860’s and currently with the Last Shot Distillery), a paper mill, a vacuum cleaner manufacturer, a Lightning sailboat factory, a ceramic tile factory, a clay factory, an office building, and now, Skaneateles Brewery. We’re proud to bring a new life to this building, and be a part of the community, and we’d love to welcome you here to enjoy our warm atmosphere and very special beer.