The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
A HOPPY JOURNEY
Good Nature Brewing: Brewery marks 6 years in business by opening expansion
HAMILTON, N.Y. » In 2010, there were no breweries in Madison County, and there was no such thing as a farm brewery.
On Wednesday, Good Nature Brewing - New York state’s first ever farm brewery - celebrated the six-year journey that began in an apartment and now con- tinues in a new, 14,000-squarefoot facility with local and state delegates, family, and friends.
From its humble beginnings with two employees, owners Matt Whalen and Carrie Blackmore, Good Nature now boasts more than 35 employees.
“We have 35 talented, resourceful and grateful folks on our team, and we are so fortunate,” Blackmore said. “Honestly, we did not foresee how quickly wewould grow. We bootstrapped a business out of nothing. We quite literally built Good Nature from the ground up. We have already well exceeded our hiring goals, and we are making more beer than ever. We are so looking forward to continuing to support local and New York State agriculture and business.”
At the end of January, the Hamilton-based brewery was able to move its operations from a small facility on Milford Street to the new facility located at 1727 State Route 12B, close to the heart of Colgate University, in a $6 million expansion that includes indoor and outdoor retail space, a 4,000 square-foot brewery, office, and features a tap room with a farm-to-table restaurant and outdoor beer garden. The expansion is supported through the Central NY
Rising initiative, the region’s blueprint for investing in and growing Central New York’s economy.
“Good Nature Brewing exemplifies the craft brewing renaissance taking hold in New York and the Upstate Revitalization Plan, melding local manufacturing, tourism and agriculture to foster economic development,” New York State Chairman of Liquor Authority Vincent Bradley said, joking that following the ribbon cutting he had a lengthy order to fill for his Albany colleagues before heading home. “This magnif- icent 14,000 square foot facility that will allow Good Nature to meet increasing demand of consumers looking for locally produced beer made with locally sourced products. It demonstrates what can be accomplished through hard work and vision of entrepreneurs like Carrie and Matt. They are part of a new generation of craft manufacturers who are helping to provide momentum behind economic growth in the Village of Hamilton, but also statewide.”
Blackmore reflected on the journey she and Whalen have traversed since moving back to Hamilton.
“We were a couple of kids looking for a way to relocate to the Hamilton area where we had family. Our idea was to open a farm to glass brewery. We set out to create a product and build a company that showcased the best of our area, one that could support local farmers, other businesses, and that promoted a culture of collaboration and a sense of place,” she said.
Six other farm breweries have since been added to the ranks in Madison County, and there are currently 163 farm breweries in 49 different counties in the State of New York as the industry continues to expand. The industry’s success is no surprise to Good Nature’s owners.
“We knew there was tremendous potential in what we were doing. We could plainly see the economic and cultural benefits that a business like ours could bring to the community and region. We were so excited to be part of the burgeoning craft brewing industry,” Blackmore said.
The financial impact of breweries like Good Nature on the Madison County economy is undeniable. According to data taken from Tourism Economics by the Madison County Tourism, visitors spent an estimated $84.5 million in Madison County in 2015. This tourism-related revenue generated local property, sales and occupancy taxes totaling nearly $5.8 million, which saved the average Madison County household $389 and sustained more than 2,000 jobs in the county. Of the $84.5 million spent by visitors, $30.4 million was spent on food and beverages in Madison County.
Blackmore and Whalen credit their success in the industry to the multitude of local, county, and state officials and economic development agencies who helped them along the way in addition to the relationships formed with nearby Colgate University and Morrisville State College.
As Madison County IDA Director Kipp Hicks said, “It’s hard to fathom the number of partnerships, the number of people [involved.]”
In late April, Good Na- ture opened its tap room and beer garden to the public and welcomed head chef Alycin Hart, who had been on Whalen and Blackmore’s radar for some time. With 80 percent of food served at Good Nature sourced locally, Hart rotates menu items frequently to keep options fresh.
In addition to the options afforded customers via the wood-fired grill, a brat stand located in the beer garden offers German-Style Bratwurst and daily specials.
“It’s a match made in Heaven,” Whalen said.
To learn more about Good Nature Brewing and upcoming events like the Father’s Day Special, visit: goodnaturebrewing.com