When Michael Philbrick received a beer brewing kit as a Christmas present from his wife in 2000, little did he realize that she planted the seed that would grow from vision to a successful business venture. In no time, their home’s basement, which had previously served as an apartment, was transformed into an aspiring brewmaster’s domain.
Philbrick home brewed and honed his craft for nearly a decade before graduating from Institute of Technology’s World Brewing Academy in Chicago. As he perfecting his recipes and produced larger batches, the Port Jefferson resident was inspired to bring his passion and creativity into the bustling harbor village. The notion of Port Jeff Brewing Company was born, and since its inception, the popularity of Philbrick’s brews has stretched beyond Chandler Square to find its way into restaurants, taverns and beverage retailers across Long Island and into New York City and Westchester County.
Many Long Islanders may fondly recall the yuletide shop that offered Christmas trimmings all year around. Today, the 1600 square-foot building houses the Port Jeff Brewing Company’s brewing facility as well as the tasting room and retail shop. After months of preparation, the craft brewery opened its doors in October 2011. The brewery produced its beers from seven barrels. The tasting room features 12 taps, and it also operates as a retail store vending the brewery’s bottled beers, growlers, apparel, pint glasses and more. The tasting room is always hopping, with craft beer aficionados and novice tasters alike all clamoring their way to the shiny, handcrafted wooden boat-shaped bar.
The Port Jeff Brewing Company is considered a nano brewery. These craft breweries, like boutique vineyards in the winemaking world, thrive by producing quality over quantity. They produce smaller batches than the average craft microbreweries, and the focus is instead devoted to creating a wide range of different styles while conjuring the best beers with the highest quality of ingredients.
Their premiere and flagship brew is the Schooner Ale, an English pale ale. Most of their creations bear nautical nomenclatures to keep with the theme of Port Jefferson’s seafaring culture and history. The Schooner Ale earned the silver medal in the 2012 United States Open Beer Championship. The Bronze medal winner in that same tournament was none other than Port Jeff Brewing Company’s Port Jeff Porter. Both beers are available all year. The latest brew to earn accolades is the H3, or Tripel H, earning the bronze medal at the 2014 TAP NY event. The brewery offers some enticing seasonal beers as well, such as the Starboard Oatmeal Stout during the winter months and White’s Beach Wit for summertime, which took the gold at the 2013 Hudson River Craft Beer competition. In the fall, cozy up around the fire pit with their variation of pumpkin ale, called Boo Brew, and stock up on the Peppermint Porter for that Christmas tree trimming party.
As you stroll through Chandler Square, passing Boardwalk Games, you will spot the Port Jeff Brewing Company at 22 Mill Creek Road, directly across from You, Me & Tea. Visit www.portjeffbrewing.com for more information about their beers. The facility is open daily from noon until 8:00pm, and tours are available on Saturdays.
Philbrick home brewed and honed his craft for nearly a decade before graduating from Institute of Technology’s World Brewing Academy in Chicago. As he perfecting his recipes and produced larger batches, the Port Jefferson resident was inspired to bring his passion and creativity into the bustling harbor village. The notion of Port Jeff Brewing Company was born, and since its inception, the popularity of Philbrick’s brews has stretched beyond Chandler Square to find its way into restaurants, taverns and beverage retailers across Long Island and into New York City and Westchester County.
Many Long Islanders may fondly recall the yuletide shop that offered Christmas trimmings all year around. Today, the 1600 square-foot building houses the Port Jeff Brewing Company’s brewing facility as well as the tasting room and retail shop. After months of preparation, the craft brewery opened its doors in October 2011. The brewery produced its beers from seven barrels. The tasting room features 12 taps, and it also operates as a retail store vending the brewery’s bottled beers, growlers, apparel, pint glasses and more. The tasting room is always hopping, with craft beer aficionados and novice tasters alike all clamoring their way to the shiny, handcrafted wooden boat-shaped bar.
The Port Jeff Brewing Company is considered a nano brewery. These craft breweries, like boutique vineyards in the winemaking world, thrive by producing quality over quantity. They produce smaller batches than the average craft microbreweries, and the focus is instead devoted to creating a wide range of different styles while conjuring the best beers with the highest quality of ingredients.
Their premiere and flagship brew is the Schooner Ale, an English pale ale. Most of their creations bear nautical nomenclatures to keep with the theme of Port Jefferson’s seafaring culture and history. The Schooner Ale earned the silver medal in the 2012 United States Open Beer Championship. The Bronze medal winner in that same tournament was none other than Port Jeff Brewing Company’s Port Jeff Porter. Both beers are available all year. The latest brew to earn accolades is the H3, or Tripel H, earning the bronze medal at the 2014 TAP NY event. The brewery offers some enticing seasonal beers as well, such as the Starboard Oatmeal Stout during the winter months and White’s Beach Wit for summertime, which took the gold at the 2013 Hudson River Craft Beer competition. In the fall, cozy up around the fire pit with their variation of pumpkin ale, called Boo Brew, and stock up on the Peppermint Porter for that Christmas tree trimming party.
As you stroll through Chandler Square, passing Boardwalk Games, you will spot the Port Jeff Brewing Company at 22 Mill Creek Road, directly across from You, Me & Tea. Visit www.portjeffbrewing.com for more information about their beers. The facility is open daily from noon until 8:00pm, and tours are available on Saturdays.