Our Story

In the Beginning

The idea to open a microbrewery originated in 2005, when Bert and Christian brewed their first beer together. But the concept of brewing and enjoying beer is rooted in a family heritage that can be traced back to the Old World. It was through honoring family roots, as well as a shared love of craft beer, that Common Roots Brewing Company was born. The taproom doors at our original South Glens Falls facility first opened in December 2014. Since that time, we have produced a variety of beer styles that we feel will appeal to any craft beer consumer.

In March of 2019, our original brewery suffered a devastating fire. It was ruled accidental and, thankfully, no one was injured. Sadly, the building could not be saved. Within hours of the fire, our community rallied, gathering donations to support our employees, offering brewing space to keep our beer flowing, and holding fundraisers to help our rebuilding effort. Humbled and grateful, we vowed to one day repay that kindness.

Over the next year and a half, we designed and constructed The Flagship Taproom and Brewery on the site of the original building. In June of 2020, we celebrated moving into our new home. In 2022, we acquired the property next door and built the Bierhall & Barrel House. It provides storage for brewing supplies, room to grow our Wild Beer Program, and a welcoming space for Private Events. Both buildings are more energy and production efficient, and the expanded indoor and outdoor spaces are intended to enhance the total craft brewery experience for guests.

Branching Out

The Common Roots Wild Beer Program has been growing steadily since the construction of the Bierhall and Barrel House. Using our own house yeast and bacteria strains, we produce a variety of mixed culture and spontaneously fermented Wild Ales, often conditioned in various types of oak.

Common Roots Coffee Company was born in 2023 out of our mission to craft beverages that bring people together. Our estate-roasted coffee is available to try at our various locations including the Bierhall Café, and also in whole bean packages to-go.

In Spring of 2023, local beer icon Neil Evans approached Bert and Christian with an offer to carry on the torch of the CH Evans Brewing Company. CH Evans had a long history in the region as a major beer producer from 1786 up until Prohibition forced it to close. Neil revived his family’s beer-making tradition in 1999 when he opened what would become a celebrated brewery at the old Albany Pump Station. We are humbled and proud to become the next caretaker of that great family legacy at our newest Albany Outpost location, as well as for the opportunity to plant roots in a new neighborhood and grow the Common Roots community.

Giving Back

When Bert and Christian began envisioning a community brewery, they established some core values: healthy living, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusiveness. The Common Roots Brewing Company was founded on that ethos, and along with great beer it was the reason the company thrived locally as well as amongst the craft beer community at large. While a formalized nonprofit was always part of the Common Roots master plan, it really sprang to life after the fire. In our greatest time of need, the community had rallied to support us, and the Weber’s always hoped to return the favor. In 2020 they founded the Common Roots Foundation, with a mission to assist the community in times of need, support community wellness, and promote environmental stewardship.