Jeff O'Neil to launch Rockland brewery

HAVERSTRAW — There’s a new brewery coming to Rockland County, and it isn't the usual scrappy start-up.

Jeff O’Neil already has a fan following. The award-winning brewer, formerly of Peekskill Brewery and Ithaca Brewing Co., is known for his crisp, hop-heavy ales and plans to bring more of that signature style to his new brewery, housed in the historic Garnerville Arts and Industrial Center.

O’Neil’s brewery, Industrial Arts Brewing Co., is due to be fully up and running before Memorial Day.

“It’s charming, for better or worse. It’s a really natural fit for a brewery,” he says. “We’re going to combine that pre-Prohibition antiquated brick with state-of-the-art brewing technology.”

He has leased three buildings in the complex that’s already home to nearly 100 other tenants that range from plumbers and carpenters to photographers and sculptors. The brewery’s main public space (in the building with a 100-foot smokestack) will offer a taproom, retail space and plenty of parking.

But don’t expect to see Industrial Arts Brewing on the perpetually rotating taps at every bar and restaurant around — O’Neil is focused on precision brewing, canning and distribution.

“I want to have the go-to local hoppy beer,” says O’Neil. “The beers are going to be expressive, bright and as fresh as possible.” He explains he isn’t seeking the ultra specialty-seeking hipster crowd, rather everyday beer drinkers who appreciate a high-quality, consistent IPA.

“I want to be in every gas station in the Hudson Valley,” he says.

O’Neil has 20 years of experience professionally brewing craft beer and plans to hit the ground running come spring. He says he won’t have more than three or four beers available at one time, and one will always be the flagship pale ale. Expect to see four-packs of 16-ounce cans (“A pint is the right size of beer,” says O’Neil), but no bottles.

“I decided cans are the best way to preserve this style,” he explains. “It doesn’t expose it to light, there’s less head space, it’s easier to get cold and stay cold.”

O’Neil announced plans to leave his post as brewmaster at Peekskill Brewery in March, handing over the reins to brewer Matt Levy. He says he’s looking forward to Industrial Arts Brewing, when all the research and development into the flagship ale will pay off.

“I’ve brewed a lot of different kinds of beer, scratched a lot of itches,” he says. “It’s the pursuit of the ‘perfect beer,’ which may or may not exist.”

Follow Industrial Arts Brewing Company on Facebook for updates.

Twitter: @megmccaff15