I don’t know too many guys named Phin, or actually, Phineas DeMink, but when Karen said Phin, the light went on and the connection between Ellicottville Brewing and Southern Tier Brewing finally clicked. You know… Phin, of Phin and Matt’s Extraordinary Ale. It’s not like they were keeping it a secret as it is all right there on the Southern Tier website, but I somehow glossed over that fact.

I learned that Phin and Peter (Kreinheder) were the original brewers at Ellicottville when Phin left to start up Southern Tier Brewing with Allen “Skip” Yahn in 2004. Now, I wasn’t taking notes, but part of this story also involves some romance and I believe a girl named Sarah and I believe Phin and Peter are now brother-in-laws, but don’t quote me on that.

Ellicottville refers to Southern Tier as their sister brewery, and boy do I love them both. Peter, now owner of Ellicottville Brewing Company, continues to focus on beer and the restaurant, with some bottling while Southern Tier concentrates on bottling and distributing. The beers between the two are not related except that they both fine, hand crafted, beers made by very skilled brewers.

I brought home a case of the Nut Brown Ale for my wife, some Pale Ale, and a couple bottles of Pantius Droppus, EBC’s Imperial IPA; all of which I will review in the near future. (by the way, I’d like to know who came up with this beer’s name)

The weather continued into the next day where lake effect snow and strong cold winds tried to keep me off the roads along the southern tier of New York, but it didn’t stop me nor dampen my mood, rather, I drove along taking in the beautiful mountains and streams and thought fondly of my third visit to Ellicottville, and when again I might will return.

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