Background
Before Dave Collins opened Bullfinch Brewery, he worked as a bartender where he found a growing interest in the history of alcohol. This led to his infatuation with the beer brewing process and the inherent chemistry that accompanies it. Like so many brewery owners, he first got into home brewing and soon sought a college program.
Soon after graduating as a Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Manager from Niagara College Canada, Dave was hired by Gordon Biersch for their new Destiny Mall location in Syracuse in 2012. Dave helped set up the new brewery and got it into production.
After a couple years of perfecting the brewing skills of classic German recipes, Dave needed more room for experimentation and creativity. He became the Master Brewer of Resurgence Brewing and moved to Buffalo.
Just before COVID in 2020 the Gordon Biersch Location in Destiny Mall closed its doors. An opportunity presented itself and Dave was once more at the controls of the brewing system he helped to build back in 2012.
Bullfinch Brewery opened its doors in June 2022. Dave brought in his brother Tim as the Graphics Designer. The two brothers grew up with a love of mythology. Both became engrossed in the works of Thomas Bullfinch who translated many volumes of Greek mythology into English. Hence the brewery’s name and the mythological art on their cans and website.
Experience
We arrived on a weekday afternoon and sat at the bar. The brewery is right inside one of the mall entrances. There is a large dining area and a bar area with several tables.
Bullfinch had a nice variety of beer and our group all thought their choice was pretty good. We had an excellent beer tender. Their food menu is extensive and everyone enjoyed their dinner.
While we were there, there was a guy playing a guitar next to the bar area that was very good and added to the experience.
The brewpub is accessible although it is mall parking so it is a bit of a hike. They also have beer to go and we left with a four pack.
We found an Embassy Suites and A Loft not far away from the brewery. When you are in the neighborhood, we highly suggest visiting Buried Acorn! If you are headed to Saratoga Springs, we suggest you check out Druthers Brewing. If you are headed to Niagara Falls we suggest Counterpart Brewing!
