Fire Island Beer Company
Fire Island Beer Company is a craft beer brewing company originally founded in Fire Island, New York in 2007. Its two offerings are Fire Island Lighthouse Ale and Fire Island Red Wagon IPA (India Pale Ale).
HISTORY
Fire Island Beer Company was created by two brothers, Long Island natives Tom and Bert Fernandez, and their cousin, Jeff Glassman.
In 1999 Tom Fernandez began homebrewing at his family’s beach house in Fire Island and the three developed an interest and appreciation for craft beer. They served early batches of Lighthouse Ale to Fire Island residents at the The Shack, a lunch counter and bar in Atlantique, one of the towns on Fire Island.
The three founded Fire Island Beer Company in 2007 to formally put their beer into distribution. Their first offering, Fire Island Lighthouse Ale, was launched in May 2009. The name was chosen as a tribute to the Fire Island Light, a lighthouse that sits on the island’s east end.
Lighthouse Ale is an American-style ale. It is 5.2% alcohol by volume and is brewed with 2-row malt, Cara Munich, Canada Munich and Kiln Amber grains. Hops used in Lighthouse Ale include Nugget, U.S. Vanguard and U.S. Fuggle.
Fire Island Lighthouse Ale was initially launched and sold in the New York City Metro area, Long Island and Fire Island. In June 2009, Lighthouse Ale was named the “Official Beer of Summer” by NBC New York.
In October 2009 Fire Island Beer Company introduced its second beer, Fire Island Red Wagon IPA (India Pale Ale). The name was chosen because wagons are a widely used mode of transportation and hauling for Fire Island residents.
Red Wagon measures its bitterness at 45 IBU’s and its alcohol content at 7% by volume. Grains used in Red Wagon IPA are 2-row malt, Cara Munich, Canada Munich and Kiln Amber grains. Primary hops are Warrior, Cascade and Crystal.