History of Roosterfish Brewing

Roosterfish Brewing’s history begins in 1990 when the Wildflower Café was founded by owner Doug Thayer.  A microbrewery was in the original plans for the business but was not feasible at the time due to the high cost of equipment and space.  The Wildflower Café had enormous success, which helped the inspiration for the Crooked Rooster Brewpub’s opening in 1998, again founded by Doug Thayer.  Throughout the running of these side-by-side businesses, Doug always had brewing on his mind and began to experiment in 2002 with home brewing.  Receiving excellent feedback on his brews from several beer aficionados, Roosterfish Brewing’s first official beer, Black Walnut Nut Brown Ale (now known as Original Nut Brown Ale) was unveiled at the Crooked Rooster and Wildflower Café in 2004.  This was shortly followed with the Butternut Pale Ale, now known as Dog Tooth Pale Ale.  The drastic name changes occurred because the originals were rejected due to “implied ingredients” that weren’t actually present in the beers.

Large success of the beers in the now Roosterfish Brewing Brewpub, hand-in-hand with great feedback from several different beer connoisseurs, led to the start of distribution in late 2006.  It proved largely successful and can now be found in higher-end bars and restaurants in several areas of New York State, including the Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca, Binghamton, Elmira, Corning, and Southern Tier areas.  Distribution of Roosterfish Brewing’s beer is still rapidly expanding and growing and will soon be found in more and more areas of the state.

Roosterfish Brewing currently runs on a ten barrel specific mechanical system, using organic ingredients and crisp Seneca Lake water.  The future brewing site, the old firehouse on Main Street of Watkins Glen, New York, was purchased in 2007 and will house a larger brewing system.   Plans are in the making for drastic renovations and will allow Roosterfish Brewing to continue expansion, and even include a bottling line in the not-so-distant future.

Doug Thayer:  Owner/Founder/Brewmaster

Doug has been behind the business since the opening of The Wildflower Café in 1990.  He has tried endless beers but keeps coming back to the Nut Brown.  He has two grown children, Nicholas and Sara, two grandchildren, and is engaged to fiancé Kathy.  Doug grew up in Pembroke, New York and moved to Watkins Glen in 1986 to found his restaurant and brewery business.

Trevor Margeson:  Head Chef of Roosterfish Brewpub

Trevor has been in the restaurant business for eight years and has been the head chef of Roosterfish Brewing for two and a half years.  He has recently found an interest in home brewing and has become nearly famous for his Double Rubber Porter.  Trevor enjoys drinking good beer and just loves long, windy walks on the beach.

Seth Weisel: Head Brewer of Roosterfish Brewpub

Seth got his start brewing in his parent’s basement when his father taught him to homebrew in 1999. His love of beer and brewing is such that he continues to homebrew to this day. In 2008, Seth took his brewing to the next level by attending the UC Davis Master Brewers program in Davis, California, and passing the prestigious IBD Diploma in Brewing exams. After graduating the Master Brewers program Seth joined the Rooster Fish team where he continues to hone his craft.