Something's Brewing in Holbrook

Remember the tag line, “With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good” used to promote the popular jelly?

Well, with names such as “First Bite,” “Crazy Eights” and “Eight-Legged Rye PA” Larry Goldstein is counting on the taste of his beers to speak for themselves.

Thus far, that’s exactly what the co-owner of Holbrook’s Spider Bite Brewery has been seeing.

Located at 920 Lincoln Avenue, Unit 5, the Spider Bite Brewing Co. has had a busy, and successful, first year of operation. Currently, they have produced five unique beers, with equally unique names: First Bite, a pale ale; Boris the Spider, a Russian Imperial Stout with a name inspired by The Who song; Robert’s Spider, a Scottish Ale named after Scottish hero-turned-king Robert Bruce; Crazy Eights, an Indian pale ale; and the Eight-Legged Rye PA.

The spider theme for both the company name and its beers come from the company’s origins. When co-owners Goldstein and Anthony LiCausi wore a path between their neighboring Nesconset homes while forming their company in 2008, Goldstein noticed that he was getting bitten on his arms. He realized they were spider bites.

“We were having a hard time coming up with a name, and then I said [to LiCausi], ‘Hey, how about Spider Bite?’ We liked it and went from there.”

Where they went is in numerous local establishments. Their beers can be bought in growlers at , and are served at several local restaurants, including Tap and Barrel in Smithtown, The Cortland in Bay Shore, Corry's Ale House in Wantagh, and Horace & Sylvia in Babylon. They will also be participating in this weekend's TAP NY Craft Beer & Fine Food Festival, held at Hunter Mountain.

During Long Island’s Beer Week (May 11 – 20), Goldstein said they’ve come up with two special brews to support The Cortland’s pirate-themed event. I’m On A Boat picks up just a hint of a sea salt taste, thanks to the addition of oysters to the mix. Pirate Eye is a heavier, black pale ale.

Goldstein has been home brewing for 20 years, and has been involved with craft beers since 2002. He honed his skills at the American Brewery Guild in Vermont, judging and winning contests along the way.

“We want our beers to be known for having big flavor and big aroma, with a lot of drinkability,” he said.

Spider Bite’s future plans call for a tasting room at the Holbrook location, with a target date around their November anniversary.