In its 9th year of brewing, connecting friendships, and laying the groundwork for love stories, Two Way Brewing is seeking a new owner(s) to continue the tradition of what owner Mike O’Herron started at age 28 and opened to the public in September 2014. He’s 38 now, and tired. But energized at the same time. He is exiting the business with more than he started with: one love of his life Brittany, who he met at his brewery, three young children, (one first child, followed by twins), a new house so the family has space to grow, and reboot of his engineering career after releasing the brewery to new owners - whoever they may be. Read on to see if you are the next piece of the puzzle. They play a lot of board games at Two Way.

Born and raised in Newburgh on his family apple farm, Mike reached a crossroad with his engineering career, the brewery, and his young family. “It is time,” he told A Little Beacon Blog, “to spend more time with my family.”

The brewery is known in part for its convenient location at 18 West Main Street to the Metro North Beacon train station. It shares a building with Brett's Hardware, Beacon Pilates, the world-famous SalleyAnder with their intoxicatingly fresh aromas, BCAP school, The CineHub, and at one point, the Instagram famous SweetAmber with her mesmerizing cookie-decorating videos. Two Way Brewing grew up in this space amongst other hard working creatives making a living after building their dreams.

Mike is an engineer by trade and passion. Creating craft beer recipes became his hobby, and then he wanted to bring people in by opening the brewery, so he knighted himself Brewmaster and opened 2 Way Brewing (which they later rebranded to “Two Way Brewing” under the design production of graphic designer Emily Sylvester). After a lot of chemistry experimentation with the key ingredients, Mike began the build-out of the brewery with his dad. This father/son collaboration proved a safe space for them to strengthen their bond - even though they mainly butted heads while doing it.

A fond memory for Mike was their loud disagreements about whether or not to add a third accessible bathroom. During the build-out, Mike and his dad wore heavy masks to protect against dust. "We were shouting at each other through the masks," Mike laughs as he described how they worked together. Mike's dad was insistent that they build the bathroom. “I disagreed, but my dad was right. To this day, the accessible offering to our guests has been invaluable.”

The brewery opened. But six months later, Mike's dad passed away unexpectedly. Mike was devastated. “I still wonder what it would be like if he was still around. It was a good project to have together. We had a close time together.” The social vibe of Two Way Brewery helped him through his grief. That, and finding the love of his life and future mother of his children in between brewing, cleaning kegs, and attending Trivia Nights.

"When COVID hit, we completely turned the corner," Mike recounted. In 2020, COVID restrictions shut everyone down and drew a hard blow on the business and everyone's sanity.” With the layered and always-changing COVID restrictions of who could sit or stand during dictated hours of operations, running the business began to weigh on Mike. He and Brittany had just had their first baby, and he couldn't come to the brewery as much. Weekday brewing turned to weekend brewing. Time passed and things changed. With the added responsibilities, Mike didn’t have time to develop the same relationship with newer customers like he had with his loyal regulars. He grew tired, and he is only in his 30s.

Mike and Brittany’s honesty in their experience birthing and growing a business is a rarity. But one that is appreciated deeply by other business owners who are reading and going through the same growth. Owning a business is not normal. There is nothing normal about it. It is thrilling, exasperating, fulfilling, addicting, exhausting, all at the same time. It takes a special type of person to do it. And even then, the business itch may change into another type of business. Rendering the existing, healthy business, one not suited anymore for the founder. Lucky for the next owner, however.

"When I sell, I'll enjoy a new lease on life, “Mike told ALBB. “But I'll miss it too. I'll take 2 years off to focus on myself and my family. Might look toward doing something at the farm. The apples for our cider came from our family farm. I want to explore better food ways for our region through farming." Most importantly, Mike realized: "My kids need my attention. They need more of my time. And I need my hobbies. I need to rock climb. I want to get back to that."

THE SECRET OF TWO WAY BREWING - IT’S IN THE WATER

Numerous annual Beacon events have been held in the spacious location that is Two Way Brewing, including artists participating in Beacon Open Studios who have used Two Way’s space to showcase their work.

Along with many other NYC and Hudson Valley breweries, Two Way offers a free pint for volunteers for River Keeper during their annual River Sweep event. “As a family, and with friends, we’ve taken part in this great event,” Brittany told ALBB.

Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)'s "Yappy Hour" was a very successful event which raised a lot of money for the foundation and benefited Two Way as well, Mike told ALBB. With its multi-room design, Two Way has an ideal setup for cozy or spread-out events, both inside and outside.

“It is my dream for the brewery to be not just a gathering spot for individuals, but a community hub, where there's always something happening,” Brittany told ALBB. As the manager of events, she saw the potential. “It is a place for families to find something fun and different that parents and kids can enjoy, for young couples, or friends to find a fun evening activity. And the fun thing about having fundraisers here is that a brewery appeals to a different crowd that many non-profits might struggle to attract with their typical events.”

The best part of brewing in Beacon is the water, Mike observed. With the application of a little science, one can make almost any style. Mike lit up as he described the water: "Beacon has soft water, that approximates the water from Pilsen Czech Republic," Mike began explaining. "It is close to the original pilsner water. Places with hard water will struggle to brew a good pilsner. With soft water, you can make any water you want by adding brewing salts like gypsum or calcium chloride. We are very lucky to have access to this tap water for our brewing."

Two Way Brewing has 5 seven-barrel fermenters and one seven-barrel bright tank. The brew system is 3.5 barrels where a double batch makes about 220 gallons of beer.

Two Way cans in-house. Their cannery produces 16 cases/hour, with 24 cans in each case. "The can is a better vessel for beer," Mike says when asked about glass bottles. "The beer lasts longer in the cans because of the material, and how a can is sealed.

Inside Of Two Way Brewing

There are 3 main rooms in Two Way Brewing: The bar, which faces the large fermenters, making you feel like you are part of the action. On either side of the bar are two other spaces: a comfortable lounge with deep leather sofas perfect for long chats and board game playing, and a section for high top tables which face the stage for live music. This main taproom can hold up to 115 people.

A Private Party Room, known as the Game & Event Room, is available in the back, separated by a long hallway with a shufflepuck table. Anything from kids or adult birthday parties, wedding celebrations, rehearsal dinners, morning after receptions and more have been hosted there. Fundraisers are also popular, and have included groups like I Am Beacon. Clients can bring in their own catering. Two Way’s outside patio seats 30 people, and the back room can fit up to 85 people.

Recently, events have included a free, monthly series for the public called Hopped Up On History with Beacon Historical Society. Other non-profit groups like Sloop Clearwater have hosted community and member events for free or discounted in the Game & Event Room. More offerings are planned throughout the fall like comedy shows, and a family magic show.

The Kitchen At Two Way Brewery

Partnerships with various local restaurateurs like Round Up Texas BBQ (Cold Spring), Oak & Read, and Beacon Daily have been how Two Way Brewing has utilized its kitchen to serve patrons.

The kitchen includes deep fryers, sinks, hood, ansul system, and stove.

Two Way Leads To One Whirlwind Romance

Being an engineer and recipe experimenter, Mike is a focused person. Once something clicks, he knows what he likes. This is what happened when he met Brittany. Though they debate whether they first technically met at the brewery or the climbing gym, one official date and he was hooked. Mike explained: “ One night she stayed late and I had finished working in the kitchen and we were playing trivia. She had been working at a summer camp in Cold Spring and was heading off to Alaska. With my perfect timing I decided to ask her out, and the next day we had an amazing dinner date in Peekskill. She was still headed to Alaska the next day. It was tough, because I wanted to go too but I was stuck at the brewery. It was the first time I can remember being disappointed that I had my own business.”

Brittany remembers it this way: “Mike had always caught my eye, but I never knew if he remembered me. He was a business owner and meets a lot of people. Months would go by in between our casual encounters at the brewery and climbing gym. One of my last nights in town, some friends and I had my send-off at Trivia Night, and Mike and I ended up chatting longer than ever before. At the end of the night, he asked for my number, called me the next day. We went on two dates in the two days before I left. And then I drove off on a road trip to spend the summer working in Alaska. I had no idea what would happen after that, but I already knew he was something different and I could picture sharing my life with this guy.” Mike was living on the family farm at the time. But that changed after their twins came. Brittany tells ALBB: “We bought a house and moved to Clintondale in October 2022. We were living on the farm up until then. Mike had been living there since he moved back from Colorado to start the brewery. When the family suddenly got larger than we expected it was time to move.”

Today, Brittney handles most of the front end of the brewery, including the events, staff and operations.

The Future Of Two Way Brewery

The asking price for Two Way Brewery is $450,000 and has a 6 year lease until 2030 for $4,800/month. “Our landlord is an agreeable guy. We have a good relationship with him,” Mike explained. Mike is a man of math, so he is open to craft a deal.

If the new owner wants it, Mike is offering to stay on as consultant while the new owner gets their brew legs. “I want to see someone succeed. I’m looking for an end date, but I’m not looking to sell it and split. I want the next person to be successful.”