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Commissioned art graces new Claryville brewery

Carol Montana - Reporter/Photographer
Posted 5/16/19

CLARYVILLE - You can add another address to the Claryville Center on Denning Road just over the Sullivan County border. Number 1465 is the newest addition, and close to 100 people showed up on …

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Commissioned art graces new Claryville brewery

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CLARYVILLE - You can add another address to the Claryville Center on Denning Road just over the Sullivan County border. Number 1465 is the newest addition, and close to 100 people showed up on Saturday for the grand opening, ribbon cutting, unveiling of a new painting, and entertainment from the band Hillbilly Parade.

The Claryville Center contains a store and deli, café, liquor store, lodge, art gallery and event center, and now boasts the brand-new Russian Mule Brewery.

Owners and operators Frank and Irina Nicoletti commissioned painter Alexander Kaletski, whose works are already on permanent exhibit in the art gallery, to paint a new work specifically for the brewery. “We thought this was a special occasion [and] that he would paint a 10' by 6' painting just for this building,” said Frank.

Kaletski himself takes up the story. “Frank asked me to create ‘something as important as the Sistine Chapel, something amazing and big for my brewery.' I have limitations of the space in my studio. … So, I stretched this painting from one wall to the other … it was my life for two months. Sometimes you have to step back and see the painting, but I was inside the painting … I saw it only today. I like it.”

The painting is embellished with characters from Russian folklore: a commissar, a Russian ballerina and peasant, and a Cossack on a Russian mule. “The Cossack is falling down because he is drinking beer,” laughed Kaletski.

Irina promises weekend entertainment with local singers and musicians. And the brewery itself will be up and running later this year, so the facility is currently a pub. “We are waiting for the equipment to be manufactured and installed, and we need a separate state and federal license to brew,” said Frank. His consultant is Josh Hughes, former brew master from Roscoe Brewery.

The menu, designed by Irina, will feature traditional pub fare, like burgers and wings, along with Russian specialties such as a Russian Meat Platter, Pelmeni (homemade Russian ravioli), and the Thirsty Mule sandwich with marinated herring and pickled onions on dark bread with a Russian Imperial Stout Beer shot.

Reach the Russian Mule Brewing Company at 845-985-0247 or visit bluehillcatskills.com.

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