Somers Man Follows Beer Brewing Passion to Open Business

Greg Gates, a Somers resident and exercise physiologist at The Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx, enjoys a good tasting beer.

However, it wasn't until his brother-in-law gave him a beer brewing kit as a gift that Gates thought about himself as a brewer.

He was immediately hooked.

"I primarily brew beer and enjoy the entire process really," he said. "I just love the smell of the fresh grain and hops that go into making the beer and then of course sharing the finished product with family and friends – doesn’t get any better than that."

Gates, a 1989 Somers High School graduate who lives in town with his family, has opened up his own brewing supply store – The Simple Brewer – on Route 202 in Somers.

"It was always difficult with no other stores close to get supplies," he said. "Between gas and shipping it just seemed like there was room for a store here."

His newly opened store carries equipment and ingredient kits to make beer and wine. He also sells ingredients and supplies from bottle caps to yeast nutrient for the more advance brewer or wine maker.

"The kits have everything you would need to get started or brew a particular style," Gates said. "We also have a dedicated grain room with a mill and all different kinds of grain to choose from."

Gates said craft beer in general is "just taking off" and people are realizing they too can make good craft beer. But most of all, it's fun, rewarding and tastes great.

"It’s a lot of fun showing people that it is really not that hard to make good beer," he said. "Having the equipment and ingredients close and accessible in the shop, I hope to get everyone brewing."

For someone who might be just starting home brewing, Gates recommends that he or she speaks to an expert. Beginners can start with an equipment kit that has all the basic tools to get started. Then, they could move up to an ingredient kit that has all the malt, hops and yeast they need to make their first 5-gallon batch.

"Your beer will be ready in approximately four weeks, so start saving bottles," Gates said. "Of course you can always buy bottles if you need, we have a few different styles that should meet your needs."

Five gallons worth of beer makes about two cases or 48 12oz bottles of beer.

"Believe me, once your friends and family start drinking it – you’ll be scrambling to make more," he said.

The Simple Brewer LLC in Somers offers a complete line of home brewing products from equipment and ingredients to brewing instruction. The Simple Brewer is located at 346 Rt. 202, Somers NY 10589.

For more information call 914-617-8617 and visit www.simplebrewer.com or www.facebook.com/