Peekskill Brewery Announces New Head Brewer As Jeff O'Neil Departs

 

Peekskill, NY- Peekskill Brewery is pleased to officially announce Matthew Levy will be taking the helm at Peekskill Brewery as the new Head Brewer in March 2015. Levy has been a part of the PB Brewing Team since the summer of 2014 where he immediately began brewing PB favorites such as NYPA,  which recently took silver medal in the Pale Ale category at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival.  

 

Levy grew up in Briarcliff Manor and began his career as a summer intern at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. “I couldn’t be prouder of Matt for getting the job. I still remember him as an intern before he could even legally drink! He is a great guy and makes great beer,” says Captain Lawrence Owner Scott Vaccarro. 

 

Levy apprenticed in each phase of the brewery, packaging draft and 750 ml bottles, cellar work, and brewing. Through his experience at Captain Lawrence and Vaccarro’s recommendation he got a job at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in packaging that he held until graduating from the University of Michigan. Still in close contact with Scott, he was offered a job initially for the bottling line at Captain Lawrence’s new facility and then moved up to a brewer. He then joined the Peekskill team and has been producing exceptional product. 

 

The future holds excitement at Peekskill Brewery and it’s Riverfront location “....I’m really looking forward to seeing (and tasting!) what Matt does at PB. His resume speaks for itself, he’s a great young brewer who has really risen to the occasion so far. He even grew up locally. Peekskill is lucky to have him, and their customers will be in good hands,” says Brewer Jeff O’Neil.  

 

Peekskill Brewery will continue its commitment to quality and freshness. They are currently transitioning from Brewer Jeff O’Neil who will finish his 3-year stay at Peekskill Brewrey in March. “Matt is the next generation of our industry. He is very talented and is going to be a large part of writing the next chapter in Peekskill Brewery’s book,” says Peekskill Brewery owner Keith Berardi.

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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