Would You Like To Drink Good Beer While Learning About It?

Sept. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- Fast-growing Patchogue village is about to grow a bit faster next month, as two young Entrepreneurs open what,  undoubtedly, will be one of the most unusual types of establishments on Long Island: a place called Hoptron Brewtique that will be both a tavern, retail store, and a place that  will educate the public about craft beers through class sessions.

Hoptron is the brainchild of Amanda Danielsen, 35, and Succety Lara, 30, both of Miller Place, who have been friends for nearly a decade.  Lara also works for Danielsen at another business Danielsen owns, Zenith Abstract, LLC, a title insurance company, in Patchogue.  But the women were thinking of what kind of other business they could run that would be both educational and fun. “This is going to be like a vineyard on the East End,” said Danielsen, as she showed off her 2,200 square-feet of still-under-construction space at 22 West Main St., in downtown Patchogue.

There will be tastings and samplings, as well as beers you can buy and bring home, the two women said. Patrons, for example, will be able to purchase what’s called a “growler,” which is a 64-ounce jug they can fill with their favorite brew.

Hoptron will be all about Long Island craft beer. There will be sixteen taps, nine dedicated to brews from Long Island companies.  “I thought this concept would work well in [Patchogue village],” said Danielsen, referring to the upscale shops and entertainment venues that have sprung up in the village in the last decade or so. “Patchogue can handle this,” she added, explaining that the village is the right place for an educational-type brew store, possibly the only one of its kind on Long Island.

Hoptron will specialize in so-called craft beer, which is beer not manufactured by the major National brewing companies. In the last 20 years, microbreweries have sprung up across Long Island, creating a mini-industry in a region desperate for new businesses and jobs.

Hoptron will be open “retail hours,” said Danielsen, meaning no rowdy bar patrons will be hanging outside the shop in the early hours of the morning. The free classes to educate people about different types of beer will be held almost every day, she said. “I think most people don’t drink good beer because they don’t know enough about beer,” Danielsen said.

Mike Philbrick, owner of the Port Jefferson Brewing Co., will be a Hoptron supplier.” This is probably the first place of its kind on Long Island,” Philbrick said. “People will have home (Long Island brewed) products.”

A preview is planned for early October.  A grand opening is planned for Oct. 13, 2012.