Peekskill Brewery Snags Top Brewer

Peekskill Brewery Teams up with Award Winning Brewmaster Jeff O’Neil

Peekskill, NY- The Peekskill Brewery is pleased to officially announce Jeff O’Neil as their Brewmaster effective November 1, 2011. He recently announced his departure from Ithaca Beer Co. after nine years. O’Neil is a multiple award-winning brewer who most recently received a silver medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival. Under his direction in 2008, Ithaca Beer Co. received the honor of the F.X. Matt Cup as New York State’s Best Brewery.

“Chief” is a graduate of the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL, a member of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London, England and the Vice President of the Master Brewers Association of America- District Western New York. He began his brewing career in the 90s in the San Francisco Bay Area at the 20 Tank Brewery, Gordon Biersch, Jupiter Brewing and Drake’s Brewing, before moving to Ithaca Beer Co. in the Finger Lakes region of New York in 2002.


On his decision to leave Ithaca he says, “I’m moving away from a bigger production model for this awesome opportunity to get really creative and have an intimate connection with those drinking the beer. This is a smaller project but it’s still accessible because of the close proximity to New York City. I’m thrilled for the chance to work with the Berardis and Chef Sean Corcoran, and everyone should expect amazing things to come from Peekskill from here on out. As my idol Steve Martin once said, ‘Let’s get small.’”

O’Neil’s style complements Peekskill Brewery’s mission to bring hand crafted American beer and innovative pub food to the Hudson Valley region. “Having one of the most talented brewers in the country join our team is beyond exciting. Jeff’s skills and experience will further our journey in being a culinary destination and ultimately the premier brewpub on the East Coast,” said Peekskill Brewery owner Keith Berardi.

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