Write a commentUS Beer Brewers at The Cellar Door is located in the basement of the Woodruff Building, 17 W. Cayuga St, and combines microbrews and a light sandwiche menu in the Prohibition era location, but that’s just the start, according to owner/developer Tom Millar.
“In addition to offering a unique location to enjoy our products, I want to introduce events like a comedy night, or perhaps a ‘brew and view’ movie night to take advantage of our large theater screen,” Millar said. “I think Oswego needed a unique place. It’s something very new and because we’re in a lower-than-street level, it’s very private and quiet yet well lit, spacious and with high ceilings.”
Among the brews offered are: Brown Ale, Red Ale, Stout, and Blonde Ale, no official names for them. as yet. The venue will offer a light sandwich menu to go with the beer, Millar said. “Initially we’ll offer two types of tacos, a beef sandwich, and lobster rolls.
“Right now, I’m approved for a 49-person occupancy. I’m hoping to get approval for up to 150 patrons so we can also offer the space for private parties and special occasions. In fact, we hosted the recent Children’s Museum of Oswego fundraiser and they sold out.”
The Cellar Door is set up under a farm-brewing license created by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that gives tax breaks to New York brewers and farmers. “By buying 90 percent of our ingredients from local farms, we save on sales tax and it helps local farmers develop cash crops,” Millar said. “Besides our products, we can offer beers from other farm breweries, including 1911 Hard Cider from Beak & Skiff.”
Millar, along with Amara Ercums. use the spent grain from brewing—or mash—to make seven- and 12-oz. dog biscuits that are also for sale under the name of US Beer Bites. “The ingredients are peanut butter, eggs and mash; and we make our own flour,” Millar said. “We bake them, dry them, and they last from six to eight months. Each batch has the date of the mash from which they originated, and we get about 150 bags of biscuits from a batch.”
Oswego, however, isn’t the only microbrewery location Millar has planned. His license allows him to have up to five locations. Construction is under way for a 7,000 sq. ft. J.B. Wise restaurant in Watertown that will also have craft brewing in-house.
All products produced here, Millar said, will have “brewed in Oswego, NY,” printed on them. “Our products will hopefully be available at local wineries and other interested venues, soon.”
Brewing is only on Saturdays, and The Cellar Door is open from 3:00 – 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, call (315) 207-2381, or find them on Facebook under “US Beer Brewers.” and
“US Beer Bites.”
