The name Sing Sing Kill Brewery might throw you for a loop, since it’s not named for the famed Ossining correctional facility. SSKB’s tagline, “It’s water, not murder,” refers to Sing Sing Kill Creek, which runs through the village. But the brewery isn’t running from its past; it’s embracing it. At the entrance, there’s a mural that depicts the infamous prison and the Sint Sinck tribe — where the village’s former moniker, Sing Sing, was derived.
Owners and Ossining residents Eric Gearity and brewer Matt Curtin transformed the formerly abandoned storefront into a spacious industrial-style taproom complete with exposed brick, hardwood floors, and a brewery that’s visible inside and out.
SSKB’s idea is to keep their brews strictly New York by using all local ingredients. They get their wheat, hops, and grains from Hudson Valley Malt, 1886 Malthouse, and Hop Brothers, respectively. Gearity explains, “We’re trying to say, ‘This is what New York beer tastes like.’”
The beer recipes are from Curtin’s homebrewing background. Early on, you can expect four beers on tap (more coming soon). Of those, you’ll find hoppy IPAs, a sweet Honey Hibiscus Wit, and the sessionable, malty, citrusy SSKB Smash. Additionally, they’ll offer guest taps with offerings from farmhouse breweries, like Big Alice.
SSKB represents a revitalization for the village, something both Gearity and Curtin are proud of. “We live here; we’re tied into the community,” Gearity says. “If we didn’t do this in Ossining, it wasn’t going to happen at all.”
