“There’s really nothing in the area,’’ said Gates, who opened the store in early October. He has been a home brewer for nearly 10 years. “People were traveling all over to get supplies, myself included. You had to go to Connecticut or Long Island. A lot of people want to do it, and they’re excited that they don’t have to travel far to get what they need.”
People interested in brewing their own beer or making their own wine can find everything they need at Gates’ business. He sells beer and wine equipment and ingredient kits, cleaning agents, hops, yeast, dry and liquid malt extract, kettles, bottles and more. Whether the budget is $10 or $400, Gates can help would-be brewers get started.
“It really is a simple process, which is the reason for the name,’’ Gates said. “I bring my beer to places and they’ll be interested in how it’s done. I always tell them how simple it is. Hopefully that will transfer to people wanting to start out doing it.”
Gates, an exercise physiologist at Montefiore Children’s Hospital in New York, is combining both jobs for now. He works 10-hour shifts at the hospital on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the Simple Brewer is open Wednesday through Saturday.
He got started in the home brewing business with help from his brother-in-law, Keith , who gave him a home brewing kit. “I felt obligated to use it,’’ he said. “I was blown away by how good it was. I blame him every time.”
One of Gates’ business novelties is a dedicated grain room with a mill to crush your own grain. Gates is enjoying the “steep learning curve” he said that comes with starting a retail business, and is happy that he took the plunge into a retail business.
“It’s been fun,’’ he said. “It’s just me for now, and hopefully I’ll bring on some employees down the road. It’s all a learning process. I’m grateful my wife has been so supportive. I probably wouldn’t have done it without her.”
The Simple Brewer is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, 10-8 on Thursday and 10-5 on Saturday. The phone number is 914-617-8617, and more information can be found online or on Facebook.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.