USA, CT: Skygazer Brewing Co. signs lease for Southington location

Skygazer Brewing Co. plans to open on Triano Drive, Southington, making it the town’s third brewery, the Meriden Record-Journal reported on April 28.

Owners Taylor Pilewski of Wallingford and Erik Tynik of Bristol signed a lease on April 27 with Andrew and John Meade, the father-son owners of industrial land at 36 Triano Drive.

Andrew Meade said he’s been approved by the town to build a 6,000 square foot building. Once he receives a building permit, he’ll start construction and hopes to finish it late summer.

Andrew Meade said his son, owner of John Meade Lawn Maintenance, is looking to expand and will use a portion of building. The brewer will use another portion and there’s room for other tenants.

“We’ve got other people interested so I imagine it will fill up before long,” Andrew Meade said.

Rather than refit an existing building as the town’s two existing breweries have done, a new building will be constructed with the plumbing and necessary infrastructure for a brewery. The opportunity to move into a new, purpose-built space attracted the brewery owners.

“It’ll be a huge advantage for us, plus the fact that we can work with the builder up front,” Pilewski said.

He’s also pleased with the location, which is just off Queen Street but on a quiet cul-de-sac.

Skygazer won’t be imitating the other two breweries in town with full tasting rooms. Pilewski said rather than a brew pub Skygazer will focus on retail with only a small area for people to taste the beer before they buy.

“There’s already two other breweries with full tasting rooms,” he said.

Pilewski and Tynik have been home brewing but aren’t yet licensed to sell beer. They’re working with those in the beer community to perfect their taste.

“We’re constantly tweaking recipes and testing,” Pilewski said.

He doesn’t plan to distribute but may sell to local restaurants.

This week, Witchdoctor Brewing Company opened at 168 Center Street. Kinsmen Brewing Company is also open in the former Clark Brothers Bolt factory building at 409 Canal Street.

The breweries opened as much as a year later than they’d initially planned. That’s kept Pilewski from committing to an opening date, although he hopes to be in operation as soon as possible.

Andrew Meade was surprised at the number of breweries opening in the area.

“There seems to be a number of breweries popping up all over the place and they seem to be doing fine,” he said.

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