Storybrook Hollow set to open Castle Brewery in Cairo

CAIRO, N.Y. (NEWS10)– Storybrook Hollow, a fairytale-themed gift shop and event space located in the old Stone Tower Restaurant, is embarking on a new dream– a farm brewery in the castle. A grand opening for the brewery is scheduled for Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.

Storybrook Hollow started in 2014 as a hobby of the owner, Chad Paliotta. He would draw inspiration from Walt Disney and Jim Henson to create whimsical sculptures and woodcarvings and sold them at fairs and festivals until 2020 when he found the castle-shaped building.

“In 2020, I discovered a little stone castle tucked away in the foothills of the Catskills just waiting for a new dream to bring it back to life,” Paliotta explained. “It was exactly what I was looking for and so in 2021 I bought the old Stone Tower Restaurant in Cairo and made it the home of our gift shop and the creative workshop.”

Since renovating the space and opening, the business has been hosting themed events and renting the space for weddings and parties. But Paliotta had another idea to add, a castle-themed brewery.

“I’ve dubbed our brew house and tavern the Fuggly Duckling…an affectionate and tongue-in-cheek moniker that continues our castle-based fairy tale theme. Fuggles are a distinctive hop and brewing ingredient – hence the Fuggly Duckling for our brewery and bar,” he added.

The brewery will create craft beer and cider by using NY-sourced ingredients. Paliotta said the small batch creations will combine traditional recipes with modern eco-friendly technology.

“Our brewhouse is US-made and all electric with newly installed solar panels on the building to help support our emission reduction goals,” Paliotta said. “We also secured a MULTI-grant from Greene County to help fund our brewery renovations and hire staff for the opening.”

At the grand opening, guests can try an assortment of the business’s new beer, including “Once Upon a Time,” a crisp and fruity ale, “Hole in the Ground,” a blonde ale, and “Dragon Fire,” a malty red ale with a chocolate finish. Each beverage is inspired or named after storybooks, fairytales or creatures.

The ribbon cutting will also include Halloween-themed music, food and activities. According to Paliotta, the castle will be fully decked out for the annual Haunted Castle extravaganza which includes talking pumpkins, hand-pressed apple cider, telling scary stories in front of the fireplace and jack o’ lantern carvings.

The Haunted Castle event runs for the entire month of October, but the brewery will be open year-round. The castle will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. For more information on the brewery or the grand opening, visit the Storybrook Hollow Facebook Page.

Cassie Abel

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