Founded by Larry and Michele Esper, ESP Brewing Company grew from a brewing-services business into an Amherst community gathering place. The couple and their small team built the 4,000-square-foot brewery and tap house, which opened in 2022 and includes a patio. Its 200-member Growler Club helped finance the brewery’s beginnings and remains part of its identity.
Erie Ale WorksStarted by homebrewers Steve Anthony and Jeff McCullor in one garage and moved into a second, Erie Ale Works brews beer in an open-concept Erie taproom where guests sit beside the production equipment. The co-founders still shape the operation—Steve as brewing director and Jeff as marketing director and self-described floor sweeper—while the shop builds community through local events, charity fundraisers and donations of spent grain to a nearby farmer.ERIE, PA
Climbing Bines Craft Ale CompanyClimbing Bines Craft Ale Company grew from an eight-plant home-brewing experiment into a Finger Lakes farm brewery making small-batch ales with hops grown on its own 1.5-acre hop yard. Founded by Chris Hansen and Matt Klehammer, the brewery opened in 2013 in Chris Hansen’s grandfather’s renovated farm shed and now pairs fresh-off-the-farm beer with views of Seneca Lake and a community taproom. Its 16-acre property also serves as an event venue, including a 4,000-square-foot indoor space.PENN YAN, NY
Paladin BrewingOpened in 2015 by Austintown couple John and Abby Chandler, Paladin Brewing makes locally brewed beer on a 15-barrel system and serves it in a family-friendly tavern. John’s home-brewing hobby grew into what the brewery describes as the Youngstown area’s first 15-barrel brewery, with more than 20 beer styles on tap and a kitchen added in 2021. The Chandlers also use the tavern as a community gathering place, hosting recurring events and fundraising drives that have raised thousands of dollars.AUSTINTOWN, OH
Knucklehead Craft BrewingKnucklehead Craft Brewing is a family-run Webster microbrewery that grew from two friends’ garage home-brewing project into a brewery and neighborhood gathering place. Opened in December 2014, it makes thoughtful, hand-crafted beers alongside a food menu, with the Dummer family carrying the business forward and treating customers and staff as part of the Knucklehead family. Community is central here, from face-to-face conversation at the bar to the welcoming atmosphere built around the brewery.WEBSTER, NY