Two popular North Fork businesses raised a glass yesterday to toast a new collaboration that will bring Greenport Harbor Brewing Company craft beer aboard all Cross Sound Ferry vessels, beginning immediately.
Representatives from both companies, along with other members of the local business community, turned out Friday for a kickoff press event, held aboard the Cross Sound Ferry’s Cape Henlopen in Orient.
Stan Mickus, director of public affairs and marketing for the Cross Sound Ferry, toasted the “great partnership” between the two companies, also thanking the CSF staffers, Cross Sound Deli staff, as well as the Long Island Farm Bureau.
“We’re excited about it. It’s all about local,” Mickus said.
Rich Rich Vandenburgh, co-owner of Greenport Harbor Brewery with John Liegey, said he was “really excited” to partner with the Cross Sound Ferry, “an amazing company” that offers great services to the East End and connects New York with Connecticut. “It’s awesome to be able to bring our beer into New England, and what better way than by boat? It’s very appropriate,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you all on the boat and having a beer together.”
The partnership, which has been brewing for about a year, is a win-win, Liegey said, adding that the Cross Sound Ferry offers great “quality of service.”
The alliance of local businesses means will bring Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s beers aboard all of the Cross Sound Ferry vessels traveling between Orient Point and New London and between New London and Block Island, making the popular brews available to thousands of ferry passengers.
Early calculations indicate that about 1,000 pints of draft beer a week are expected to be poured on the vessels during the busy summer months.
At the event, attendees tasted Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s signature ale.
According to Vandenburgh, F&F Distributors in Connecticut will handle the delivery of the brews in that state. “It’s really exciting, to be in New London, Mystic and two counties in Connecticut. Hopefully we’ll continue to expand and grow,” he said.
The year has been an exciting one for Greenport Harbor Brewing Company, which opened its Peconic location on Main Road and also just launched sale of its craft brews in bottles all across Long Island and New York City, with upstate coming next. Bottles of Harbor Ale, Black Duck Porter, Otherside IPA, and Summer Ale can be found in supermarkets and delis. The craft brews can also be found in eateries across the area and in Madison Square Garden and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The whirlwind year has been exciting, Vandenburgh said. “You’re so focused on making sure you get done what needs to get done today, you lose sight of taking a breath. You definitely have those reality slaps when you walk into a supermarket or get a text with a photo of a whole display of our beer in a deli on Fire Island. It’s very cool.”
