LIVINGSTON MANOR — Environmental advocacy and bringing a new exciting business that will survive and increase tourism and recognition for Livingston Manor and the region is what the now open Catskill Brewery is all about.

The dreams and efforts of dedicated businessmen and Brewery partners Ramsay Adams, Randy Lewis, Kirt Gunn and Dana Ball are providing a state-of-the art craft brewery that is located at 672 Old Route 17 (County Route 178) no more than a half-mile from downtown Livingston Manor.

The brewery partners have made it very clear that their passion for beer and the local community lead the reasons why they started this business venture several years ago.

Ramsey Adams, who also serves as the founder and executive director of Catskill Mountainkeeper, an environmental advocacy organization, referenced how this all started.

“We were talking about how incredible the Town of Rockland and the Catskill Park are, and we realized we need a brewery here,” he said.

The two craft beers presently being produced by the brewery include the Floodwatch IPA India Pal Ale and the Ball Lightning, a Pilsner Lager.

The business acumen and technical savvy of the partners are very much apparent in the branding power of the building's design and the strategic vision integrated into the plan for this cutting edge eco-friendly business and all that it encompasses.

The low-impact “green” building includes the thermal-bridge design, free envelope design, natural day-lighting whereby the light in the building is controlled by the amount of outside light coming in, stack effect ventilation, all-permeable site paving, green roofs, solar photovoltaics and solar hot water systems, ground source pumps for heating and cooling and refrigeration and native plantings.

County and Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce representatives give high praise for the new brewery, which is promising a great brand and a high-end consistent product that will in time incorporate local ingredients.

The full story with photos will be featured in a special business supplement as part of the September 19 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat.