Landmark Tap House is One of the Area’s Original Craft Breweries
Patchogue, New York – It’s been 20 years since 10 local business owners and restaurateurs set out to help with the initial revitalization efforts of Patchogue’s now burgeoning Main Street, an effort which resulted in the group’s founding of BrickHouse Brewery and Restaurant (BHB). In observance of this milestone, BHB is hosting a weekend-long 20th Anniversary party from Friday, June 3 through Monday, June 6 at its 67 West Main Street location.
The party, which is open to everyone, will begin with Happy Hour featuring Ed Travers and Friends at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 3. At 10 p.m. guests will be treated to an anniversary set from Spider Nick.
From 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, BHB is hosting a customer appreciation BBQ in the Garden, featuring $4 pints of BHB beer and $10 BBQ plates, with music from Anthony Pravata. Upper Cut will perform indoors at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Sunday, June 5 includes another Garden party, with a performance by Melanie Morin from 1 to 5 p.m. and an 8 p.m. indoor set from Josey Wales Outlaw Blues.
Monday, June 6 is BHB’s official Birthday Celebration, featuring a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. and a special Mug Club party at 7 p.m., with entertainment provided by Jimmy Fleming.
BHB officially opened on June 6, 1996 as Patchogue’s first and finest craft brewery, full-service restaurant and catering facility. Today, it proudly stands in the heart of New Village at Patchogue and is considered an icon of the village’s downtown, with co-owner James McPeak having “his hand closest to the tiller,” according to co-owner Thomas Keegan.
McPeak and Keegan are joined by their other partners, George Hoag and Deb Byrnes, who work collaboratively in making all planning and major decisions, as well as “just plain enjoying the ‘big picture’ of what the BHB is all about!”
BHB recently revamped its classic menu by incorporating many of the brewery’s iconic beers into its recipes. One of BHB’s lasting contributions to the community is its emphasis on live music, which can be found on-site daily by mixing up karaoke and open mic nights each Monday through Thursday and live performances from local, regional and national bands every Friday to Sunday.
The other staple of BHB is, of course, its trademark: beer. As one of the original craft brewers on Long Island, BHB’s mission is to create one-of-a-kind beers that are strictly made and sold in the region, rather than rely on mass produced beers from larger national breweries. The selection includes unique and frequently changing specials in addition to the company’s flagship beers, such as Hurricane Kitty, Main Street Ale and BrickHouse Red. In an effort to further their commitment to the local public, the company’s brewers, Paul Komsic and Brian Smith, have teamed up with Roast Coffee & Tea Trading Company to create coffee-inspired brews.
Originally built in the mid-1800s as a dry goods store operated by John S. Havens, BHB’s location is the oldest commercial building in Patchogue. During the Civil War, BHB was reportedly used as a stopping point for the Underground Railroad where escaped slaves were hidden in the basement. In 1914, James G. Shand bought the building, which he operated as Shand’s Hardware Store from 1915 to 1990.
In an homage to the heritage of 67 West Main Street, BHB was designed to include much of the building’s original components, such as the bar top made from the original maple flooring and a Shand’s Hardware sign on display in the main bar area. On the outside, the west wall of the building still proudly bears reference to the building’s previous owners.
“We are incredibly proud to be celebrating 20 years as a fixture of Patchogue’s downtown,” says Mr. McPeak. “It has been so exciting to watch the Village literally build up around us over the years and it’s great to know that BHB continues to have name recognition and a stellar reputation for having excellent beer, food and music. We’re so grateful to the local community for helping build our restaurant into what it has become and we look forward to what the next 20 years has in store for us.”
Admission to the party is free. For more information, please visit www.brickhousebrewery.com or contact the restaurant at 631-447-BEER (447-2337) or by email at bricbrew@gmail.com.
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About BrickHouse Brewery (BHB)
Housed in the oldest commercial building in Patchogue, New York, BrickHouse Brewery is first and foremost an operating brewery creating a variety of delicious, handcrafted beer. The family-style restaurant is a great place to dine-in, take-out or hold a memorable family or office event. At night, the brewery takes on a different feel as it morphs into a vibrant music venue featuring local, original and national acts. For more information, please visit: www.brickhousebrewery.com.
