Most breweries deal with delays before opening: construction, permits, equipment. But shortly after an August opening in what used to be Decadent Ales, Zac Ross, the owner and head brewer of Marlowe Artisanal Ales, had to contend with something different: a flood.
Despite heavy damage to equipment and precious ingredients, the brewery re-opened a week or so later, although it took a few more weeks to get back to actual brewing.
“We’re just releasing the first beers we brewed post-flood now, so it’s been quite the journey,” Ross says.
Previously the lead brewer for Twelve Percent Beer Project in North Haven, Connecticut, Ross has a unique setup that will include three different beer labels plying their trade out of the Mamaroneck brewery. They include Marlowe, which is named for Ross’ grandfather; Barclay Brewing (owned by Brian Barclay); and New York Craft Coalition (a joint effort between Ross and Barclay.) While Ross will be the brewer for all of the beers, each brand will have its own distinct flavor, with Marlowe focusing more on lower ABVs and pub-style beers and Barclay packing a punch with higher-gravity IPAs and imperial stouts. The Coalition brand will be a place to experiment with different styles.
Even with the focus on lagers and lower ABV beers, Ross won’t entirely skip the haze craze. His rotating IPA series called Ghost Signature, is a nod to his writing past at Runner’s World and the constant rotation of the individual hop being used in the beer.
Ross and Barclay are joined by Carla Waclawski, who does the cellaring for the beers, the label art for Marlowe, taproom art and carpentry, and management.
Along with beers on tap and to-go options, a full kitchen serves twists on classic pub fare like the aged koji burger (koji is a mold that is the foundation of soy sauce and helps give the burger an aged flavor, mimicking dry-aging), and other drinking bites like fries, kale Caesar salads, and dessert specials like miso rum brown-butter tres leches cake. The food menu will have a fermentation focus to complement the beer. The spot also plans to have a line of coffee beans and serve coffee in the taproom.
Marlowe aims to be part of the community, welcoming families and hosting events, like trivia, and a running club (a natural, given Ross’ resumé).
“Marlowe is my grandfather’s name, and our label is his signature from the piece of music he composed for my parents’ wedding,” Ross says. “It’s such a family-oriented thing for me and I want to convey that to people…I want them to feel like they know my personal story, the story behind the beer.”
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