Equilibrium Brewery
4 South Street
Middletown, NY 10940
Equilibrium Brewery is where passion for craft beers meets science.
It only makes sense.
The popular Middletown, N.Y., spot for fun, barbecue and excellent brews was the brainchild of Pete Oates and a partner, who both attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and met working at an environmental engineering firm. Oates had a love of exceptional beers and gained a following brewing them in his home with “less than state-of-the-art equipment,” the brewery’s website says. (Those experimental days included using a showerhead – successfully — in the refining process.)
Marrying the wisdom and craft of beermaking with the science he practiced purifying water, Oates’ brews were a hit with family and friends. After Equilibrium opened in 2017, Oates’ science ‘know-how’ elevated the beers to varieties that drew lines of people for Saturday release events.
“We pride ourselves on beers that are balanced and drinkable while pulling flavors from the hops that others can’t,” said Brand Director Michelle DeLuca.
How uniquely desirable are these beers? Read the brewery’s description of the “rainbow melon” scale, rating the beers by the character of the taste of bright melon flavor. They call that quality EQ Juice. Better yet, taste the results yourself. Visit the rustic Taproom and Bonfire Restaurant, open seven days a week, featuring beers such as Photon, MC², Wavelength, and Mobius and others flowing from 22 tap lines. The restaurant seats 100 indoors while an outdoor beer garden accommodates about 150. The heated tent, which is dog friendly, can be rented for events.
The restaurant offers a full menu, with central-Texas-style barbecue as the star, offering smoked brisket and turkey breast, pulled pork and more. (Barbecue is Oates’ other passion.)
Come for the live music on Fridays and Sundays and other events promoted on Equilibrium’s social media. Make a date for Sunday brunch with a Photon Mimosa or Bloody Ferdinand cocktail, matched with meals that include Pecan Pulled Pork Johnny Cakes and BBQ Brisket Benedict.
Most important to Equilibrium is the sense of community that great beer inspires.
“There’s something special about drinking beer that was made with care 50 feet from where you’re sitting,” DeLuca said. “We’re a fun place whether you’re a member of the beer community or you simply enjoy a friendly, welcoming scene. We tie it all together and make everyone feel at home.”
