Rep. Rob Sampson and Senator Joe Markley along with Rich Visco and Scott Shirley at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for Shebeen Brewery in Wolcott.
State Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) and Representative Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott) joined the folks at Shebeen Brewery for a ribbon cutting this week. The local craft brew house is a venture 25 years in the making. The idea for Shebeen Brewing started a quarter of a century ago when Rich Visco and Scott Shirley (head brewer for Harpoon) ventured into home brewing when few even knew it existed on the East Coast.
After putting the original business plan on hold, owners say the new found Connecticut craft beer revolution convinced them Connecticut beer lovers were ready.
The business officially opened in May 2013 but only had 5 tiny tanks in a 2500 square foot brewery making 2 kegs at a time. They finally filled the brewery with equipment. Now, they can brew nine times the amount of beer – have added a semi-automated canning unit, and a keg washer and more employees. The growth in volume of product will allow Shebeen to distribute to Connecticut and eventually the rest of New England and New York.
They plan on creating interesting and challenging beers in the years to come which is evident in their Cannoli Beer and Cucumber Wasabi. They are also looking for a full time assistant brewer. Email the company at shebeenbrewing@live.com
Shebeen or Sibin is Irish Gaelic and means illegal brew house or better known in the States as a Speakeasy. Rich Visco the Head Brewer and founder of Shebeen was born in Derry Northern Ireland and the mural depicted in the Tasting Room is from his drinking adventures in Galway.