The path to The Crooked Pecker becoming a full-fledged brewery was full of twists, turns and just the right number of hops.
It all started with a birthday gift: a home-brewing kit from Heather Stewart to her brother Erik. After a brewing school stint by Erik, the siblings and their parents, Scott and Karen, realized their dream of opening a business together, and The Crooked Pecker took flight in 2019.
The name itself is an ode to the siblings’ upbringing near the woods where their father crafted a bird feeder for woodpeckers.
“We all think it’s funny, and it has some meaning for us,” Heather says.
Another nod to the brewery’s roots: the relaxed, backyard atmosphere, complete with picnic tables, a large side yard and garage doors that open in summer and spring.
“We started out brewing beer and hanging out in the garage,” Heather says. “A large-scale version of that is what we wanted for our brewery.”
Try It:
Tree Museum: A hazy IPA double dry hopped with Motueka, this beer offers a hop-forward profile with juicy citrus and stone fruit. Pair it with food truck Elle & Cornelia’s chicken wings.
Grove Hill: A traditional German Pilsner, this brew is hopped exclusively with Czech Saaz hops, providing a classic crisp, hop-forward pour. Try it with Pappa Pecker’s smash burgers, served at the brewery every Wednesday.
Accidental Anderson: Crooked Pecker’s hop-forward house IPA, this beer is hopped exclusively with citra hops: juicy, ripe citrus. Drink it with food truck That Hawaiian Guy’s BBQ chicken katsu sandwich.
8284 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls, 440-384-3452, crookedpeckerbrewing.com
