LIVONIA — As it turns out, the guys at No BS Brew Co. and the guys at Knucklehead Craft Brewing are friends.
And they’re still friends, even after the two wound up in a head-to-head battle for fall craft beer supremacy in the inaugural Democrat and Chronicle Fall Beer Bracket Challenge. Even before the finale, they talked about a collaboration, according to Benjamin Noragong, who with Steve Gray is co-owner, brewmaster and the “B” in No BS Brew Co.
“It was fun that we were pitted against each other,” Noragong said. “We spoke before anybody won: ‘When all of this ends, let’s do something together because it would be fun.’”
No BS Brew Co., which opened in 2019 and has since opened a second site in Victor, along with earning a few medals in New York State Craft Beer Competitions along the way, won the Democrat and Chronicle beer bracket contest with its When Pumpkins Attack pumpkin ale, which, truth be told, was so tasty and popular that it sold out before the voting could begin in earnest.
The popular fall quaff — it sold out in three weeks and a day — originally was part of a series of “Attack” beers, which included grape and even pine tree creations.
When Pumpkins Attack evolved from a darker version when it was first introduced three years ago. The problem at the time, everyone was making a darker pumpkin ale, Noragong said.
“So, we went to a lighter version and it’s taken off,” Noragong said.
The brewer, who just finished up a collab with Noble Shepherd Brewing in Ontario County, will be meeting up with Knucklehead Brewer Jack Dummer soon to work on an imperial maple vanilla porter.
The final product is expected to be released around Christmastime.
No BS Brew Co. rose to the top in a crowded field of craft brewers from the Finger Lakes region and Monroe County, representing eight counties in all. And while Knucklehead’s pumpkin ale lost out in the challenge, Dummer knows customers enjoy the different seasonal beers, food specials and special events at the tasting room in Webster anyway.
“Our fans and customers are the reason why we have been here for 11 years,” Dummer said.
Noragong also was pleased that so many customers voted for No BS. Actually, pleased may be an understatement.
“It’s fantastic. It really is awesome,” Noragong said. “This has been a lot of fun.”
More about No BS Brewing Co.
No BS Brew Co.’s brewery and main tasting room is at 3474 Bronson Hill Road, Livonia, Livingston County. Call 585-572-3010. Its Victor tasting room is at 49 W. Main St. in the village. Call 585-869-5011.
For more details, visit https://www.bsbrewcompany.com/.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: After fall beer showdown, two finalists unite for a holiday release
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Canandaigua Daily Messenger / MPNnow
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