Combining Brewing and Farming

Richard Coleman originally planned to start his business, what he calls “a combination of farming and brewing”, in the always-sunny state of California. The owner of Westtown Brew Works now feels the Hudson Valley was the better choice.
Born in Rockland County, Coleman began his brewing journey about nine years ago. He chose the black dirt region after taking a drive and noticing the many local wineries. He figured being close to wineries would attract more people to his brewery, and decided to buy a half-built house that is still his home today.
Both the house and the fertile land next to it have expanded and grown beyond his expectations. Westtown Brew Works grew so much that Coleman now rents space from Black Dirt Malt just to harvest enough for his business. It ties nicely with his vision of having everything he serves come from within a 5-mile radius. That’s why he named his business “Brew Works” as opposed to Westtown Brewery: it really is a collaborative effort that goes beyond the physical brewery. Coleman says he’s part of a network of local artisans that make the region a more interesting place.
Open year-round, Westtown Brew Works provides a scenic view from the top of the hill where the outdoor seating faces the open landscape. When it’s cold out people usually sit indoors, except for one special event: Ice Fest. Every winter for Ice Fest, Coleman has an ice bar built which “gives those people who feel stuck indoors during winter something to do outdoors.” It’s a popular event: Coleman recalls 1,500 people showed up the first year and they ran out of kegs.
What to drink at Westtown
The most popular beer is called Three Hives and it’s named after Coleman’s dream of having three honey hives on site one day. It is a seasonal drink that’s offered in the winter, but with nine beers on tap, drinkers are sure to find a staple they love.
At Westtown, the craft beer lover and casual drinker can both have a good time. From the lightest of light beer to the darkest of dark beer, Westtown offers variety and unique recipes.
Don’t miss out on the chance to sample some of what Westtown Brew Works has on tap Saturday June 22 on Dirt Magazine’s Pour Tour. Westtown Brew Works will be one of six stops on the Pour Tout. For information and tickets go to Pour-Tour.com.