Slagel hoping to brew success

FAIRBURY – A craft nano-brewery tucked among the fields of Livingston County officially debuts this weekend.

A grand opening ticket-only event for Emancipation Brewing Co. is expected to draw an impressive crowd. The agriculture themed local brewery makes limited quantities of unique beers and sodas.

“We are trying to connect with agricultural history,” explains Emancipation co-owner Lincoln Slagel. “We’ve always been a family of farmers and we were growing some of our own hops and looking into growing barley and wheat.”

Slagel’s father and business co-owner Don has always been a fan of craft beers as they made their first batch a few years ago after purchasing a home brew kit. The younger Slagel says it turned out so well they continued doing it.

“Pretty soon, we were looking for something to use this old dairy barn for and we ended up deciding to put in some brewing equipment and see how it goes.”

The Slagels try to use non-traditional beer ingredients such as vegetables and corn and the wood inside the building came from local barns. The current structure, formerly used for dairy and beef cattle, had been vacant for about a decade. Slagel describes the business as a cozy space for people to catch up with friends without loud music.

“I think it will be nice to have something local,” Slagel added. “(People) seem pretty excited about it.”

If you are not a beer fan, Emancipation is working with Ropp Cheese, Twin Oak Meats and Slagel Family Farm to offer local products such as meat and cheese. They also have non-alcoholic soda and are teaming up with the Coffee Steamer to offer cold brew coffee.

More information can be found at www.emancipation.beer or by visiting Emancipation Brewing Company on Facebook. Customers can follow along with what is offered each week through an online blog.