About Us
Made on Main Street
Chatham Brewing has been a favorite gathering place in Columbia County for over 15 years, starting as a microbrewery with roots in a truly diverse community.
Loved by longtime residents, employing many local folks, discovered by weekenders, sought out by “beer guys” searching for the latest taste sensation, Chatham Brewing is the place to go for award-winning fresh beer, good food and a warm welcome. It’s the place where everybody knows your name. And you can bring your family!
The story of Chatham Brewing started more than a decade ago, when Tom Crowell and Jake Cunningham first met, introduced by their wives who knew the two shared a love for beer. As luck would have it, 3.5 barrel brewing system was available. The two moved quickly. Chatham Brewing was born.
They first set up shop in a small garage in a back alley off Main Street. Just three months after their first batch, they went to TAP New York and won a bronze medal for their porter. For several years they alternated brewing duties, trying to keep up with their ever-growing following. Then, in 2008, Matt Perry, a local home brewer (now head brewer and partner) joined them. With an unstoppable work ethic, he ready to handle a larger scale system.
After adding fermenters in 2012, the trio returned from TAPNY with the coveted Mathew Vassar Cup for Best Craft Brewery in the Hudson Valley. Encouraged by the accolades, they were ready to expand.
On Christmas Eve of 2013, they moved their tanks down to 59 Main Street—with the help of a flotilla of friends and loyal customers–and into their new space. The following year, they received a Farm Brewery license and they were able to pour and sell individual beers directly to the customers.
Chatham Brewing has since become an important anchor business in town. Through series of build-outs and equipment acquisitions, the 6000 sq. ft. location at 59 Main Street operates a 20 barrel system that cans up to 300 cases a week. It’s a full production brewery, a restaurant, and a community meeting place. Regulars—known on Main Street as the OG–still swear by Farmer’s Daughter and Czech’rd Past, the flagship brews.
“A lot of our customers are like family. Or they really are family” says Matt. And after a long day, multitasking and blasting Phish, endlessly cleaning, he’s out front at the bar, making people feel at home.
Tom is usually there. If he doesn’t already know your name, he’ll ask, and remember it.
Tom
Tom Crowell is a founding partner at Chatham. Tom entered craft brewing in the late 1980’s as a homebrewer. In the early 1990s he joined a startup brewery on the waterfront in Brooklyn under the tutelage of one of the west’s brewing pioneers. Moving to the Hudson Valley in 1999, Tom co-founded the first farm distillery in NYS before shifting his focus to craft beer. When he is not managing things on Main Street, Tom can be found either on a boat or on a bike.
Jake
James Cunningham is a founding partner in Chatham. Jake entered craft brewing in the early 1990s by serving an apprenticeship at JW Lees & Co, the venerable British brewery that has been brewing cask-conditioned ales in Manchester for more than 180 years. Subsequently he joined Brown & Moran (now Brown’s Brewing Co.) in Troy shortly after its launch in 1996. While Jake now spends his weekdays in the City, he’d rather have a flyrod in his hand and six pack at his feet.
Matt
Matt Perry is Chatham’s head brewer. Matt entered the craft brewing industry as a homebrewer, with a passion for creating flavorful and higher alcohol beers. When he heard of a microbrewery opening in his hometown of Chatham, Matt approached the partners to offer his services. A part-time position quickly became full-time as the partners realized Matt’s skills. Matt became a partner in 2017. When not up to his elbows in mash, Matt prefers to be kneed deep in powder.
Jeanne & Jeff
Pfannebecker LLC.
Jeanne & Jeff became investment partners in Chatham Brewing in 2017. Jeanne’s great, great, grandfather Philip Pfannebecker was a brewing pioneer during the 1800’s. Mr. Pfannebecker owned one of the largest breweries in Paterson New Jersey and was well known for using the highest quality ingredients. Jeanne founded Pfannebecker LLC and joined CB in honor of his passion for Brewing.