Dan Suarez of Suarez Family Brewery fondly recalls his transformative trip to Belgium in 2012, an experience that reshaped his perspective on brewery ownership and operation. Accompanied by Hill Farmstead Brewery’s Shaun Hill, Suarez explored a collection of esteemed Belgian beer makers, including De Dolle, Cantillon, Blaugies, Drie Fonteinen, and Fantome. At the time, these breweries seemed like mythical entities to someone who had never set foot in Belgium, even though he had been enjoying their beers for quite some time. Experiencing them firsthand was a revelation.
“I was genuinely surprised to find that these revered breweries were, in fact, modest, family-run businesses producing relatively small batches of beer,” Suarez reflects. “It struck me how few American breweries adopted this traditional, old-world approach to their operations—and to business in general. The atmosphere and ethos of these breweries deeply resonated with me.”
This Belgian sojourn wasn’t just about observation; it was also about collaboration. During the trip, Hill and Suarez joined forces with Dany Prignon, the enigmatic and innovative brewer behind Fantome Brewery in Wallonia, Belgium, a brewery he has helmed since 1988. They created a unique beer together.
“To the best of my knowledge, we were the first American brewery to collaborate with Dany,” Hill recounts. “The beer we brewed featured hibiscus, citrus, and wheat. Upon our return, we were inspired to develop a more refined and focused version of that beer, which eventually became Convivial Suarez. Dany had a fondness for using sophisticated vocabulary, which often found its way into brewery conversations. ‘Shaun, this beer is very soigné…’ ‘Convivial’ was another such word favored by Suarez, and it seemed the perfect name for our collaborative brew.”
Beyond the influences of Vermont and Belgium, familial ties played a crucial role in the Suarezes’ decision to establish their brewery in its current location. With Dan’s parents residing in Connecticut and Taylor’s in New Jersey, the Hudson Valley location offered a convenient midpoint. Adding to the family synergy, Dan’s brother and sister-in-law opened Gaskins, a well-regarded restaurant just a short drive from the brewery. Suarez himself installed Gaskins’ draft system, equipped with six lines. (“We typically occupy half of them,” he notes.) Furthermore, the location provides reasonable driving access to New York City. After settling into the area and exploring its surroundings, the Suarezes were drawn to an old building on Route 9.
“The building dates back to the 1930s and is now in its fourth incarnation,” Suarez explains. “Initially, it served as a tractor dealership, and then from the 1970s through the 1990s, it functioned as a lamp factory, providing employment for a significant number of people in the area. Following a period of dormancy as a storage facility, it has now entered its fourth life as our brewery. There are still locals who remember the lamp factory era, and they often visit, expressing their delight that the building is being revitalized. They come in for a beer or two, but are mostly excited to see the space being used again. Then, of course, we have our local beer enthusiasts, and those who are simply curious about the new venture in town.”
