Itinerant Grow Brewing putting down roots with its first taproom

Grow, gypsy brewing operation without a home, will open a taproom in Oneida County later this year

When Garrett Meakin told me the address — 2 Campion Road, New Hartford, N.Y. — I immediately plugged it into Google, because I had no idea where it was. Heck, if you look it up on Google Maps, there aren’t even any pictures of the building.

I think most people are gonna have that reaction. But after listening to Meakin, the co-founder/head brewer at the previously itinerant Grow Brewing Co., describe why his operation is putting down roots outside of Utica, it starts to make sense.

Meakin, who has been making beer of out of the War Horse Brewing facility (at Three Brothers Wineries) in Seneca County and two other locations in upstate (citing non-disclosure agreements, he declined to reveal the other brewing partners), is eager and excited to have a public-facing home for his brewery. And he thinks this 4,700-square-foot New Hartford spot is the perfect place to plant a future. Grow will opens its first (emphasis on first here) taproom later this spring, if all goes according to plan.

“It’s kind of like this secret little spot, since we’ve enjoyed being this secret little brewery (since releasing its first beers almost two years ago),” Meakin said. “Pretty much in every part of this process, not putting a lot of press out there, not trying to blow up anything, just be under the radar and we want to continue that.”

And that attitude really fits the whole DIY Grow aesthetic. The brewery has bootstrapped every step of the way and now boasts 200 retails accounts (bars, restaurants, and bottle shops). That footprint stretches from Buffalo to Albany, while stretching from Watertown to Binghamton. It also encompasses portions of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. The goal is to push into the Hudson Valley, the North Country, and down into New York City.

Until now, Grow, which includes Meakin's wife Alanna and his parents, Charlie and Patti, has used a barn on its property for cold storage and distribution. The new taproom will allow Grow to grow up.

(Currently, Grow’s beers are only available at Fattey Beer Co. in Rochester, AJ’s Beer Warehouse, Lori’s Natural Foods and Beers of the World in Henrietta, Quicklee’s in Fairport, and Steamer’s Basin Trading Co. in Bushnell’s Basin. Though there are ongoing talks to expand in Monroe County.)

When it opens, it’ll offer a showcase for Grow beers, a place to highlight artists (many of whom have provided the incredibly vibrant artwork for Grow’s beautiful labels), a stage for live music, a distribution hub as the brewery looks to expand its reach within New York, and a stage for live music and events. Meakin said the building already houses some other tenants.

For a brand that has been associated with the Finger Lakes and central New York, I immediately asked, “Why New Hartford?” But for the Meakins, it makes a ton of sense. Alanna and Garrett have lived in neighboring Oneida for nearly two years and the new spot is right off the Thruway.

Grow has typically released beers monthly in drops of two or three at a time. Garrett hopes to grow that number in a huge way, especially with new alternating proprietorship partnerships. (Grow basically takes its turn as “owner” of a brewery when it produces a new batch.) Meakin said utilizing pop-up tasting events across the state allowed Grow to see where the market could be best served with a brewery taproom.

“We felt like we could have a big impact on the local economy there,” Meakin said. “There is not a ton around, but there are a number of projects aimed at growth. It’s really primed. Like they just put a new hospital in Utica, there are new hotels. It’s right off 90. It’s a good spot for us to go in and be able to have an impact on a community.

“That’s really what we set out to do with our first tasting room. I want to be really clear, the first tasting room. We want to make an impact and really immerse ourselves in the community.”

Meakin said they should be ready to announce future tasting plans by the end of the year. He declined to provide any hints. (Fingers crossed for something in the Rochester area though.)

The Meakins first looked at the building last March. “And we just started seeing more and more a vision for for the space,” Garrett said. “When you know, you know. It’s kinda like when you walk into home, you get that feeling. You’re like OK, I can see it. This is gonna be Grow.”

Garrett said the new space will host a small brewing system for pilot production. He’ll continue to produce Grow beers at the three breweries across the state. They’re still working on designs and hope to start construction next month. After some “licensing gymnastics,” Meakin said they’re ready to roll.

Irondequoit Beer gears up for second 585 Stout Fest

What has become a winter highlight for me is returning for another edition.

Irondequoit Beer Co., 765 Titus Ave. in Irondequoit, is bringing back its 585 Stout Fest. It’ll run from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3, and will feature more than 20 local and regional breweries.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at https://irondequoitbeercompany.com/events/. Entry includes a commemorative glass and unlimited pours, as well as live music.

Participants this year include Knucklehead, Iron Tug, Grow, Eli Fish, K2 Brothers, Ardennes, Lucky Hare, and a whole host of others.

There will also be a heated outdoor tent.

“I'm so excited that we're able to do Stout Fest at Irondequoit Beer Company again,” event coordinator Quinn Whelen said in a release. “The beer community in Rochester has always been so fascinating to me with the amount of collaboration that goes on. I'm really looking forward to hanging out, pouring (and drinking) some beautifully crafted dark beers and talking to people who enjoy them equally.”