On Thursday, June 19th, Ellicottville Brewing Company (EBC) celebrated a major milestone - 30 years in business - with a lively anniversary event at their Little Valley brewery and taproom. Owner Peter Kreinheder and his team welcomed community members, longtime customers, and friends to an evening of live music, brewery tours, wood-fired pizza, and plenty of EBC’s signature craft beer. The celebration reflected not just three decades of brewing, but EBC’s deep roots in Western New York and its continued commitment to quality and innovation.

EBC began in 1995, inspired by Kreinheder’s ski trip to Colorado and his vision to bring craft beer culture to the ski town of Ellicottville. What started as a small brewpub has since grown into one of the region’s leading breweries - now distributing across six states and brewing more than 15,000 barrels of beer annually.

Over the years, EBC has earned recognition for its craft beer flavors, diverse culinary offerings, creative branding, and unique locations. The company currently operates four distinct locations, each providing a different experience while sharing the same dedication to craft beer and hospitality:

Ellicottville Brewpub (Monroe Street, Ellicottville)

The original flagship brewpub, located in the heart of the village, blends mountain-town charm with a vibrant après-ski atmosphere. It’s known for its cozy indoor pub, outdoor summer beer garden, and large selection of house-brewed beer.

Little Valley Brewery + Taproom

The newest and largest location opened in 2023 and features a 75,000-square-foot production facility, brewpub, Neapolitan-style pizzeria, and event space. It's a destination for beer lovers, families, and foodies alike, offering expansive views and a behind-the-scenes look at EBC’s brewing process.

Bemus Point

Home to lake life on beautiful Chautauqua Lake, this lakeside taproom is a favorite summer spot, offering beer flights, live music, and waterfront views.

EBC Tap + Bottle Taqueria (Washington Street, Ellicottville)

This modern brewpub/bottle shop/taqueria fusion offers authentic Mexican‑inspired street food alongside a curated selection of New York craft beers, cocktails, and house brews.

SIGNATURE BREWS AND NEW SUMMER RELEASES

EBC has crafted a lineup of standout beers that have become local staples, and they’re always experimenting with new flavors, so there’s always something fresh on tap. Fan favorites and new flavors include:

Blueberry Wheat

A dry and fruity wheat beer with the perfect amount of mellow blueberry flavor. EBC has been brewing this beer for 20+ years, making it one of its most popular flavors. It’s even served with fresh blueberries!

Mow Master Ultra Pale Ale

Crisp, refreshing, and ideal for summer sipping. It’s definitely the ultimate beer lover’s warm-weather quencher, mildly hopped and lightly floral.

Summer Hefeweizen

This traditional Bavarian Hefeweizen is brewed using only German Noble hops, wheat, barley, and water, but extracts hints of banana and cloves, leaving a fruity aftertaste.

Strawberry Crunch Bar

A crushable cream ale with fresh strawberry flavors. Although cream ales have ventured away from containing lactose, this brew does have it, giving it a different and savory mouthfeel.

Pineapple Orange Whip

Inspired by and brewed in collaboration with Platter’s Chocolates, this dessert ale is full of refreshing, tropical pineapple and orange flavors with subtle waves of creamy vanilla.

Ski Bum IPA

A tribute to EBC’s mountain town roots, this heavily-hopped winter ale pours auburn and delivers perfect bitterness. (Available in winter.)

Beyond the brews, each location serves a menu of gourmet pub fare. The Little Valley taproom is especially known for its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, handcrafted burgers, and fresh salads. Whether you're grabbing a quick pint or enjoying a full meal with friends, EBC’s menu is as thoughtfully crafted as its beer. And while EBC is celebrating 30 years of growth, Peter Kreinheder is already focused on what’s next - more events, more innovation, and more ways to bring people together over great beer and good food.

“It's not just about brewing beer,” Kreinheder says. “It’s about creating a place where people feel connected - whether they’re locals, visitors, or just passing through. Our anniversary celebration last week was a powerful reminder of that. It was incredible to see so many people who’ve played meaningful roles in our journey - current and former vendors, members of the EBC crew, and even some of the contractors who helped build it all. I was especially grateful to see Hank Certo; his presence meant a lot to me. The one person that was missing… my best friend, Norm Koch.”