Hops on the Hill Farm to Glass Brewery
Donation protected
Hops on the Hill
Hops on the Hill is a farm brewery project in South Glastonbury, CT started by Al Gondek and Phil Lohr. Since the 1950s, Al’s family has owned and farmed the land on which the brewery stands, growing broadleaf tobacco (used for cigar wrappers) and various other crops. Al continues farming the land as his father did with the addition of a new crop, hops. His goal is to preserve the land and continue farming. Located on site in one of the old tobacco barns, Hops on the Hill Farm Brewery will carry on the Gondek family farming tradition. Phil began brewing over 35 years ago in the pre-history of home brewing. In 2008 his interest in brewing and beer styles was revitalized by time spent in the villages of Bavaria, Germany. The simple lifestyle, local beer culture and beer-as-food mindset of these villages shaped his unique perspective on craft brewing.
Al and Phil were brought together by the proprietor of a newly established farm winery and the concept Hops on the Hill came together from all these pieces.  More than a farm brewery Hops on the Hill is “farm to glass,” meaning we serve beer made from our own farm grown hops and from hops and grains grown or malted on small farms within 30 miles of our brewery. The brewery stands in a re-purposed tobacco drying barn and is surrounded by operating farmland where we grow hops, broadleaf tobacco, pumpkins and other crops.
Our mission is to build and improve our community by bringing people together for the opportunity to taste and experience our local farm culture, enjoy the beauty of our authentic farm environment, and pause to live life more simply. We brew fresh, clean, delicious beers made from the highest quality Connecticut grown ingredients. We strive to honor local history and tradition and to preserve the beauty of South Glastonbury for future generations. 
How to support us
Among other things, our startup costs include building road and utility access to the brewery site, renovation of the historic tobacco barn, and fitting out a complete seven barrel brewery. Our remaining projects are to build out a tasting room that fits our vision and to grow the hops that will move us one step closer to being 100% farm to glass. We currently have an acre of hops planted adjacent to the access road to the brewery site. This acre is planted with Chinook, Cascade, and Columbia varieties of hops. Our next step is to plant a second acre of hops beside the tobacco barn brewery site with several additional hop varieties for our German style lagers. Since hops are climbing plants, they require a significant amount of infrastructure for proper growth including poles, cabling and irrigation. 
There are many ways that you can assist us in our cause. First, read our story and support our efforts to impact our community. Second, share through social media and tell your family and friends about our mission. Third, make a financial donation to help us complete our 100% farm to glass vision. Lastly and most importantly, we hope that you will join us on the hill for a brew and a view and that in your visit you will discover and enjoy the simple life, good community and peace in the beautiful surroundings.
Donation Reward Levels
GoFundMe no longer provides an option for reward levels. However, if you would like to be rewarded for your donation please provide your email address using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNFFWSW
$50 - Wet your whistle: Hops essential oil lip balm
$100 - Behind the Brewery: Personal brewery tour and a pint
$250 - Party of Ten: Reserved table for 10 and a free round
$500 - HOTH Keg: 5 gallon party keg
$1000 - Farm brew family: Design your own brew to be sold at the brewery + 5 gallon party keg
Visit our website at: www.hopsonthehillbrewery.com
Hops on the Hill is a farm brewery project in South Glastonbury, CT started by Al Gondek and Phil Lohr. Since the 1950s, Al’s family has owned and farmed the land on which the brewery stands, growing broadleaf tobacco (used for cigar wrappers) and various other crops. Al continues farming the land as his father did with the addition of a new crop, hops. His goal is to preserve the land and continue farming. Located on site in one of the old tobacco barns, Hops on the Hill Farm Brewery will carry on the Gondek family farming tradition. Phil began brewing over 35 years ago in the pre-history of home brewing. In 2008 his interest in brewing and beer styles was revitalized by time spent in the villages of Bavaria, Germany. The simple lifestyle, local beer culture and beer-as-food mindset of these villages shaped his unique perspective on craft brewing.
Al and Phil were brought together by the proprietor of a newly established farm winery and the concept Hops on the Hill came together from all these pieces.  More than a farm brewery Hops on the Hill is “farm to glass,” meaning we serve beer made from our own farm grown hops and from hops and grains grown or malted on small farms within 30 miles of our brewery. The brewery stands in a re-purposed tobacco drying barn and is surrounded by operating farmland where we grow hops, broadleaf tobacco, pumpkins and other crops.
Our mission is to build and improve our community by bringing people together for the opportunity to taste and experience our local farm culture, enjoy the beauty of our authentic farm environment, and pause to live life more simply. We brew fresh, clean, delicious beers made from the highest quality Connecticut grown ingredients. We strive to honor local history and tradition and to preserve the beauty of South Glastonbury for future generations. 
How to support us
Among other things, our startup costs include building road and utility access to the brewery site, renovation of the historic tobacco barn, and fitting out a complete seven barrel brewery. Our remaining projects are to build out a tasting room that fits our vision and to grow the hops that will move us one step closer to being 100% farm to glass. We currently have an acre of hops planted adjacent to the access road to the brewery site. This acre is planted with Chinook, Cascade, and Columbia varieties of hops. Our next step is to plant a second acre of hops beside the tobacco barn brewery site with several additional hop varieties for our German style lagers. Since hops are climbing plants, they require a significant amount of infrastructure for proper growth including poles, cabling and irrigation. 
There are many ways that you can assist us in our cause. First, read our story and support our efforts to impact our community. Second, share through social media and tell your family and friends about our mission. Third, make a financial donation to help us complete our 100% farm to glass vision. Lastly and most importantly, we hope that you will join us on the hill for a brew and a view and that in your visit you will discover and enjoy the simple life, good community and peace in the beautiful surroundings.
Donation Reward Levels
GoFundMe no longer provides an option for reward levels. However, if you would like to be rewarded for your donation please provide your email address using the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNFFWSW
$50 - Wet your whistle: Hops essential oil lip balm
$100 - Behind the Brewery: Personal brewery tour and a pint
$250 - Party of Ten: Reserved table for 10 and a free round
$500 - HOTH Keg: 5 gallon party keg
$1000 - Farm brew family: Design your own brew to be sold at the brewery + 5 gallon party keg
Visit our website at: www.hopsonthehillbrewery.com
Organizer and beneficiary
Andrew Kenawell
Organizer
Lake Pocotopaug, CT
Philip Lohr
Beneficiary
