GILL — Some familiar flavors are back, just in time for summer.
Lefty’s Brewing Co. has rebranded as Lefty’s Craft, launching statewide distribution the week of May 18, seven years after closing up shop at 301 Wells St. in Greenfield.
“We kind of always knew there was a potential for reopening … in some fashion. We just didn’t really know the direction we were going to take, if we were going to take it, when … ” co-owner Melissa Goldfarb said. “It was all just kind of an open book kind of thing that we hadn’t written yet.
“These are real drinkable beers, and I think that’s why people are really excited to have them back,” she went on to say.
The original brewery blossomed out of Bill “Lefty” Goldfarb’s passion for homebrewing in 2010, starting with a two-barrel system in a small space in Bernardston before eventually graduating to 15 barrels in Greenfield. The couple opened a successful taproom on site and grew to roughly 700 accounts across the state before opting to close in April 2019, citing Melissa’s connective tissue disease and a desire to start a family.
“Life is short, and there are many things to achieve,” they said in a statement at the time. “Lefty’s Brewing was incredibly successful, always growing and very much supported by the community, and we feel so incredibly proud of that status and are beyond happy to leave on that positive note.”
The business shuttered 11 months before the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on small businesses, and the 301 Wells St. space was taken over by Four Phantoms Brewing Co.
But after seven years, one son and countless customer messages, the Goldfarbs are back in the beer business. The new Lefty’s will not be a brick-and-mortar, but rather, the Goldfarbs are contracting with Castle Island Brewing Co. in Norwood and distributing kegs and cans to bars, restaurants and liquor stores that will sell their product.
“Our choice to work with Castle Island is the brew team there is incredible, very knowledgeable, very good at what they do,” said Lefty, whose former boss gave him the nickname when he was a commercial roofer as a way to differentiate him from a right-handed employee who was also named Bill. “They have a beautiful system, beautiful equipment.”
Reflecting on the business’ previous iteration, Lefty said anyone who has a microbrewery with a taproom is essentially operating two businesses.
“That’s not only a lot to staff to manage, but the financial implications of that are a lot,” he said. “Taprooms are great. Sure, there’s wonderful margins when you pour pints, but you have to always make sure you’re pouring that many pints every day.
“Don’t get me wrong — the taproom was wonderful. We loved it, and there’s so much about it that we miss,” he added. “[Distribution] is a great way to support all the local businesses that supported us over the first 10 years and got us to where we were. We got to where we were as a company because of all these local businesses supporting us.”
The Goldfarbs, who live in Gill, tweaked the name to Lefty’s Craft because they intend to soon roll out other products. The Goldfarbs are not changing their recipes and will also bring back the popular imperial stout Wedding Daze, a concoction Lefty whipped up for his wedding in 2014. Guests loved it so much they insisted that he sell it.
“Nostalgia in every sip,” Melissa said about the beers, some of which have received their first-ever names.
The new cans, designed by western Massachusetts artist Michael Axt, depict the Goldfarbs’ dog, Axl, at various national parks and famous landmarks.
“It’s a great way to teach people about some different spots,” Melissa said. “You can live vicariously through Axl and go on these journeys with him. There’s more information on the website about each location.”
More information is available at leftyscraft.com.
