The hedonistically named Lasting Joy Brewery, located in Tivoli, just a two-hour drive from the Big Apple, is the eye-catching newest addition to the Hudson Valley’s craft beer movement in New York. Founded by Alex and Emily Wenner, a husband and wife duo with a shared passion for beer, Lasting Joy brings a sophisticated energy to its 31 acres of open farmland that sit on a rural country road.
The making of Lasting Joy
‘Alex and I have been to hundreds of breweries, usually with our kids, and consistently found a disconnect between the craft and the atmosphere,’ says Emily. ‘We wanted to feel more warmth, to discover places where we could bring friends and family who don’t love beer but appreciate good hospitality. We created what was missing.’
Alex adds: ‘We love beer and wanted to turn that passion into a business that brings joy to our family and to others. And in doing so we felt compelled to elevate the craft beer experience, to make the culture more inviting and inclusive. Our intention from day one has been to spark genuine, lasting joy – and so we strive every day to live up to our mission. We make a concerted effort to run an organisation that is a good community member and employer.’
When the Wenners first purchased the property, the only structure standing was the black barn that now houses the brewery’s production facility and offices. Working with the locally based architect Aron Himmelfarb of Auver Architecture, the couple sought to create a new structure that exuded design expertise.
‘The design of the physical spaces [at most successful breweries] was often unconsidered,’ reflects Himmelfarb, whose familiarity with the region comes from living in nearby Germantown part time. ‘We felt the architecture of Lasting Joy should reflect the care and pride of the beer production, and also the sophistication of beer drinkers. Much in the way that destination wineries express their ethos through design, we saw an opportunity to create an architectural equivalent for beer.’
Himmelfarb designed a new tasting room that makes the most of its surrounding landscape. Orientated to the west with views of the Catskills and stunning sunsets, the new pavilion-like structure is an entirely glass building with an exterior steel cladding. Himmelfarb says: ‘The interior has the character of a room made of wood as the glulam trusses are very tightly spaced, and the roof deck is composed of exposed structural cross-laminated timber panels. The inversely raised roof floods the space with natural light.’
He adds: ’The bar is designed to float in the centre of the space in order to keep the exterior glass walls unobstructed and provide a more social way for guests to interact and taste the beers on tap. From inside the tasting room, the views are solely of the open property.’
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