QnA with DnU: John Liegey
We caught up with John Liegey from Greenport Harbor Brewing at the Triton release party at Horace & Sylvia’s in Babylon, NY. The past couple of years have been busy for John and Greenport Harbor, but he graciously took some time to help us inaugurate our new segment we call QnA with DnU.
John met co-founder Rich Vandenburgh in college, where they quickly became best friends, and drinking buddies. Dreams of starting a brewery together had to wait for 20 years and an old firehouse garage, until they started Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in 2009. They’ve quickly built up their varieties to include: Harbor Ale, Disorient IPA, Hopnami, Local Honey Summer Ale, Black Duck Porter, Anti-Freeze, Havre Rouge, and of course Leaf Pile Ale—a Drunk & Unemployed Essential! They have released two new varietals so far in 2011, Triton, a barleywine, and Black IPA.
**John Liegey** of **Greenport Harbor Brewing**
- You started your brewery in the middle of a recession, a bold move. What were you thinking?
(John): Not really thinking. Once we saw the building it was like a switch was flipped. Beer can do that. Also I think impending financial doom kept us very focused. We paid a lot closer attention to every detail and tried to do as much of the work ourselves. Our building was a wreck and needed to be completely rebuilt to be a brewery. We were also very lucky in a lot of ways.
- The craft beer movement has taken a strong hold on Long Island. What makes Long Island attractive to you as a brewer?
First, being from here is key. We see ourselves as a Greenport, Long Island brewery. We can’t think of a better place to make beer then Greenport. Come visit and you will know why. It has an awesome connection to both the land and the sea. But being as far out on Long Island as we are doesn’t make it easy for our delivery guy.
- I know your beer are like your children but I have to ask, do you have a favorite?
Hopnami would get the best Christmas toys.
- Have you had another brewer’s beer and thought, man, I wish I made that?
Not my favorite brewery but I really like [Samuel Adams] Noble Pils.
- Cocktail olive, maraschino cherry, fancy umbrella or lemon twist?
Fancy Umbrella.
Thanks, John! You can find out more about Greenport Harbor Brewery at harborbrewing.com.
I think I actually have to order the Noble pils since I can get it here in Sweden
Could you try some Kona brewing company beers for me. They were great when I vistied the Big Island spring 2009 and I just wnat to savour a description and remember mahaloo
No problem Anders. I have been sending out email to fellow Swedish beer bloggers to see if I can find some place for you to access American beers in Sweden. I will keep you posted.
I will see if I can find some of your beer suggestions here as well. :)
I’m friends with his son