Sloop Brewing Continues to Experiment at Expanded Site
by Raphael Beretta
Sloop Brewing Company sought to create the perfect fall beer when they concocted “NoPumpkin.” This New England-style IPA, a distant cousin of their flagship Juice Bomb, contains no cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, squash, and absolutely no pumpkin.
NoPumpkin saw its debut on September 5 to poke a little fun at the autumnal-craze surrounding craft beer. This hazy, hoppy ale is one of many limited-time offerings from Sloop Brewing Company. With a new release of up to three small-batch beers every Thursday, the team at Sloop led by brewmaster Justin Taylor continues to experiment and try new things, while remaining true to a Northeastern tradition.
Sloop Brewing Company moved its production to East Fishkill, NY, after IBM evacuated the campus grounds of what is now “iParks.” Previously based in Elizaville, NY, the new center of Sloop operations dubbed “the Factory” opened its doors on September 15, 2018.
The Factory provided a key upgrade to production, housing the large 120-barrel tanks necessary for Sloop to become a major beer provider. 30-barrel tanks remain in use to allow the brewing team to play around with smaller, more creative batches. Playful ideas come to fruition in beers such as Neon Nights, which utilized pureed kiwi and lime to create a neon green-colored beer.
“Juice Bomb would be the easy answer, but I’m truly proud of all our beers,” said Eugene Stivale, General Manager of the tasting rooms at Sloop. Stivale was a fan of the ever-popular Juice Bomb, a smooth IPA with notes of grapefruit and orange, since before he worked at Sloop.
Maintaining a nostalgic “retro” feel throughout its branding, the main room at Sloop features vintage arcade machines, 80s-style signs and bright colors, and the appearance of a factory taken over by beer aficionados. The corridors connecting the tasting room to the outside world have windows where guests can take a look at the giant vats that contain the previous citrusy beverages.
This dedication to atmosphere is consistent down to the logo on the cans. Director of Sales and Marketing Joe Turco has managed a balance between fresh and familiar, a concept central to Sloop’s mission.
“Grounded roots, open waters [is our philosophy]. We are rooted in brewing traditions, and always open to new ideas, always learning,” Stivale said.
Stivale and the rest of his crew seek to push the environment of nostalgia farther with special events. Once a month, a classic movie is shown at the factory alongside a three-course meal inspired by the film and designed by chef Adam Slamon.
Stein-holding competitions for Oktoberfest, 80s-themed fake proms, and live music draw crowds of over a hundred people at a time. The feedback provided by visitors can determine with short-run brews make an eventual return to the tap lineup. Perhaps the fall of 2020 can be toasted with a familiar pumpkin-less pint.
