(This story was originally published in our Nov. 22 “Holiday Gift Guide” feature.)
Hudson Valley natives and owners of Newburgh Brewing Company – Paul Halayko, Chris Basso and Charlie Benedetti – have fond memories of their childhood encounters with a local celebrity. Growing up with annual visits to Devitt’s Nursery and Supply’s “Christmas on the Farm,” it’s only natural they should have developed a soft spot for a talking egg. I mean, of course, Eggbert.
It’s probably safe to say that any child growing up in the mid-Hudson Valley has been face-to-face with the unlikely holiday icon, or has at least heard of him. That’s why Paul, Chris and Charlie decided they wanted to honor this unique character with a special brew all his own.
Since opening Newburgh Brewing Company in 2012, they’ve crafted a spruce beer every holiday season. Their first was a spruce porter but in 2017 they decided to try something different. After acquiring their own canning equipment that same year, they had the idea to craft a beer wholly unique to the region.
“We wanted a holiday beer that means something to the Hudson Valley,” said Paul. And what’s more quintessentially Christmas around these parts than Eggbert?
It was Joe Gizzarelli, one of Devitt’s owners, that gave the trio a suggestion for their new brew. Almost as if letting them in on a secret, he told them about a lesser known personality of the beloved icon – Angry Eggbert!
(Because, hey, we all get frustrated at times. And I’m sure Eggbert’s under a lot of pressure having to remember every child’s name and accurately relaying their messages to Santa Claus. It’s a tough job!)
What followed was a spruce New England IPA. Brewed with real spruce needles harvested from Charlie’s home, it contains notes of pine and tropical fruits. And to create the label for the beer cans, the company tasked Washingtonville teacher, Kateri Ruebenstahl. “Kateri interned with us for a few years, doing random design jobs. Since 2017, she has created a new label for each batch of Angry Egbert IPA,” Paul explained. “This year, the labels have an ugly sweater motif.”
The brewers didn’t know what to expect before the beer made its public debut. Unsurprisingly though, it was a hit. “We should’ve known it would be one of our most popular beers,” Paul mused. “People love Eggbert and there’s a nostalgia factor. They love that this talking egg they visited as a child now has his own beer.”
And popular it is. Don’t be surprised if it sells out fast!
You can get it at the Newburgh Brewing Company taproom upon its release at 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22. But if you’re unable to get it there, you can always head to Devitt’s the following week. For the opening of the “Christmas on the Farm” attraction, the brewers will have a small set-up where adults can sample the IPA and purchase 4-packs while supplies last.
And if you’d like to meet Angry Eggbert himself, head to Newburgh Brewing Company on Dec. 27 for their “Eggbert After Dark” event. It’s Eggbert’s post-holiday opportunity to unwind without child supervision. And, yes, the IPA will be on tap that night, too.
