Meet Jeff Mannion and Erika Anderson (he/him and she/her), owners and founders of Unified Beerkworks Brewery and Taproom in Malta, New York. This husband and wife duo have taken the craft brewing game by storm. They started as home brewers and fell in love with the craft - pun intended. They both worked in a ‘corporate’ world, and wanted to find more fulfilling and fun ways to make a living. “We wanted to do something for us, and fell down the rabbit hole of home brewing and one thing led to another. We took a course at Schenectady County Community College, met the right people and next thing you know we were writing up a business plan. About a year later, we were opened.”
Established in 2018, they normally would have a packed parking lot and standing room only in their gorgeous open concept tap room this Memorial Day weekend. The weather is getting nicer, and relaxation to some is cracking open a crisp, cold beer. Jeff and Erika knew that and created a beautiful space that opens up to the front patio for friends and family to gather all year round. For the foreseeable future you can’t walk into their taproom for sanitation purposes, and it is set up to package and ship beer.
The Unified team is truly ‘unified’ and have created a little family amongst staff - the craft beer world already being a big community in itself. Erika tells us that they had not had to cut any staff as of yet amidst the current Pandemic. “We have normally between 8-10 staff, most in the taproom. Right now because of the circumstances, we have fewer people working. The staff whom worked here part time with other full time jobs gave their shifts to those who only have this industry.” Right now they have about five people working - two in the taproom configuring orders, Jeff and Erika, and their assistant brewer Alex.
Deliveries have been steady with more than 10 deliveries a day. They just announced recently they will now be able to ship anywhere in New York State. “Trying to get the UPS accounts, boxes, packaging, costs and how to handle this has taken a lot longer than I would have thought.” Jeff tells us it’s something they are working through effectively, and there is a link to purchase on their website and Instagram we will post below.
Like many businesses, Unified provides a completely contactless pick up service. From the staff in the taproom wearing the proper PPE to package the orders, to leaving the orders in a safe area for consumers to pick up. “We are protecting our staff and customers as much as we can.”
“I think for certain breweries that do certain distribution practices, the pandemic situation may have helped them.” Jeff goes on to tell us, “smaller breweries like us have been hurt because we rely so much on taproom sales.” He goes on to tell us the cost to can beer is outrageous right now. “We hire an outside company that brings in a canning line, and they can our beer for us. We fill crowlers ourselves, but the mass canning is something we don’t have machinery for.”
They tell us it’s very labor intensive, especially keeping up with he changes. “The most stressful part is trying to figure out best procedures, our model changes daily. We are trying to stay ahead of the curve everyday as well.” Unified Beerworks was one of the first breweries in the Capitol Region to stop letting customers in the building, and most still do. You can still go in to a lot of breweries and get growlers filled, but Unified is very against that. “We would rather bring the beer to you. Stay home, and stay safe…” Jeff tells us about his clients. “For our safety and your safety is why we do things the way we do.” Erika goes into finances and sanitation saying that Unified had stopped taking cash even before COVID-19 cast it’s shadow over upstate New York. They have expressed plans for the future and being as progressive as they can to maintain sanitation, safety, and happy consumers. They really hit home and emphasized to me they are taking absolutely every precaution they can. Even observing staff, not once did they take their masks off or cross contaminate their gloves.
Brewing the beer has had little to no impact due to the Coronavirus. “If anything, we are brewing more, people love to see the small batch stuff and have fun with different flavors.” Erika tell us coming out with new brews almost weekly had always been part of their model. With warmer weather hazy IPA’s remain a favorite as well as some of the fruity sours they offer.
The future of breweries, taprooms and beyond will never be the same. We are a long way from having a brew in our favorite bar with a friend, and that’s heartbreaking especially to the craft beer community with so many family owned breweries and taprooms across New York state.
Jeff has a degree in biology, and Erika tells us he has been crunching numbers and reading various articles daily to figure out how they can sustain and stay ahead of the curve for the months ahead. There is so much involved into the science of safety. They explained how germs can even travel through the air duct systems and the fact Jeff has a large knowledge of how this works is a large reason they are being so cautious - they can see all the possibilities.
“If they told us we can open full service tomorrow, we wouldn’t.” Jeff doesn’t see the taproom opening up this year, and you could hear in his voice how honestly hurt and effected by that he is. Unified isn’t just a business, this was born of a passion, so imagine your passion being ripped out from under your feet - it can throw you. Down the road buying a canning line and continuing sales as they are with pickups and deliveries is how they see the future for right now.
These challenges aren’t stranger to other taprooms as well. Opening business again has many layers to it. A certain percentage of people will remain vigilant and some people would venture out into taprooms again. “Some people will be afraid to go out, and we may see some people. It’s expensive to maintain all outlets to serve beer to people. Here in the taproom we would have to step up how many times bathrooms are cleaned, common areas are sanitized, we would have to install sneeze guards at the bar -but we may not even have seating at the bar.” Thats an insane thing to visualize, and Jeff had the room set up with tables so far apart, I thought is was just to make their pickup service easier but it’s really seeing how guidelines would require interior seating.
Jeff has been looking to Hong Kong for how they are handling things. “If you go to a restaurant there, you have to wear a mask walking in the door. No parties of more than four. You have to give contact information when you get there in the event someone in there does test positive for COVID and contact tracers need to reach someone.” It’s a battle when things open again and the laws around social distancing, and what business owners will be able to put into their rules upon entering. “I’m always going to protect my customers and staff” Jeff tells us very firmly.
It comes down to the fact that the world and experiences that we knew, loved and took for granted will never be the same again. Maybe that is a grim outlook, but things will be safer for us and we will be able to enjoy things again that aren’t in the walls of our homes. Another reality is the numbers aren’t great. As amazing as these small businesses are for the concessions, the discounts, the sales, the fun things, and flexibility they are exhibiting during this time - remember they need your help now more than ever to continue to service you.
Jeff and Erika have a wonderful story about fulfillment and their own ‘American dream’ they created out of a warehouse up in Malta. From corporate desks to hops and bar stools, Unified Beer works is built on the morals of people like you and me. They want to bring quality and a good time to their clients. This pandemic has obviously hit small businesses very hard, but Jeff and Erika find ways to remain positive from the support of their loyal following. You look around their brewery and you see community and connection on every wall. From various stickers of other brands, to a chalk mural a loyal customer changes with the seasons - this is truly YOUR brewery, and they love serving you.
I always say champion peoples passions, it has become such a tagline for me throughout this pandemic. Truly though, we need human connection more than ever. Whether it’s a smile we see eye to eye even under a mask, support of a local business, or a ‘like’ on social media - there is so much you can do right now after you read this article for FREE.
To support local small businesses, like I mentioned, you don’t have to spend a penny - we know times are tough. Like their content, share their content, follow their pages on social media platforms. I will say though, if you like a refreshing alcoholic beverage at the end of a long day I 1000% reccomend ordering a crowler of ‘Throne of Odin’ - it’s a fantastic DIPA.
You can find more information, gorgeous shots of their beverages, and information on how to order at @unifiedbeerworks on Instagram .
// Please note all quoted statements above are those of Jeff Mannion and Erika Anderson, and not reflective of Faiella Studios.