OUR STORY

It began when co-founders John Liegey and Rich Vandenburgh met in college. They bonded, as most guys do, over some pretty awful beer. But their friendship and palates grew as better beer wound up in their glasses.

After school they pursued separate careers; John in advertising and Rich as an attorney. Though their career paths diverged they remained close continuing to share their mutual love for beer. The notion that they would someday open their own brewery also remained. 

Both men have roots in the North Fork. It’s where John’s family spent their summers and where Rich met his wife, Ann, while helping renovate a Liegey home. The expansive fields and working farms, the sun-dappled vineyards, the farm-to-table culture and genuine, laid-back vibe appealed to them.  The North Fork is where the brewery needed to be and when the old firehouse in Greenport Village became available they took their shot.   In pursuit of this singular dream, weekends, holidays and vacations were spent renovating this dilapidated firehouse while still maintaining their full-time jobs. On July 12th, 2009, a brewery was born. 

As the beer grew in popularity the guys knew they had to commit fully. Suits were abandoned for work shirts as they left stable, lucrative careers.

Over the years, Greenport Harbor Brewery’s popularity has grown leading to its expansion across two tasting room locations, a restaurant, and distribution across New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. It continues to be rooted in the philosophy of constant improvement and a commitment to excellence, still producing every drop of its beer in their two breweries on the North Fork of Long Island.