Empire State Brands

      Empire State Brands is a vertically integrated grower, processor and packaging enterprise providing quality hops, malted barley, wheat, rye and other grains ingredients to the craft brewery, distillery and bakery industries. ESB will initially serve the key markets in Western NY, Erie, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York State and ultimately the eastern U.S.

     ESB significantly contributes to agricultural competitiveness in Chautauqua County through the diversification of crop lines beyond dairy and grapes. ESB's vertical design and farmer partnering model looks to support farmers from the seed in the ground to harvest. Farm operations cost are substantially reduced by transferring portions of harvesting and handling activity such as drying, baling, pelletizing, malting, milling and packaging to the ESB facility.

     The ESB facility is believed to be the first in the nation of its kind. This uniquely engineered facility combines the operational elements of several industries into one streamlined low cost model and combines the supply chain elements of what is today separate operations.  We will repurpose a vacant food processing plant exited by a large processor.

     ESB's founders have extensive consumer product manufacturing and distribution experience. This project is the output of more than 15 months of effort and more than 25 separate work sessions with local agricultural experts, farmers, and brewery/distillery operators.  A third party consultancy with deep industry expertise completed a comprehensive feasibility study proving the concept. The project is supported by local government and economic development agencies.