If the devil is in the details, Mystic Hills Brewing in East Concord is downright hellish. The farmhouse brewery is a carefully curated triumph by owners Reanna Dembitsky, Michael Prusakowski and Veronica Luyster.
When Reanna and Michael bought their home in 2021, it included the garage that is now Mystic Hills Brewing. It was an exciting blank canvas that had them dreaming up different possibilities—including a brewery that is unlike any other.
“When I first met Michael, I wasn't into craft beer,” Reanna says. “He'd take me to breweries, but they felt very masculine.”
Mystic Hills Brewing does something deliberately different. It’s moody, eclectic and even ethereal.
“It all started with elements that I knew I wanted: lime wash paint, vintage portraits, handmade tiles and wood ceilings,” Reanna says.
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You’ll notice those design choices straight away, but Mystic Hills has a way of rewarding those who take a closer look.
When you’re in the reading nook, you’ll see cozy wallpaper with evergreen trees and camping tents. Keep looking and you’ll notice an alien hiding behind a bush and a UFO. And while there are painted portraits on nearly every wall, you may notice one behind the bar with a couple that resembles Michael (who is likely pouring your drink). That’s because those are his parents.
The minutiae matter to Reanna. They always have.
“I've been an avid thrifter and antique enthusiast since my teens, collecting items for years,” she says. “Etsy, Savers and local antique spots like Allegiance Antiques and Roycroft Campus Antiques were treasure troves for our art and decor.”
Growing up in West Palm Beach, Fla., Reanna also found a meaningful way to honor her hometown. The tap handles are made from driftwood from South Florida.
And speaking of beer, Head Brewer Daniel Uhl happily goes against the grain.
“We are not stuck in the rut of only offering sours and crazy IPAs,” Daniel says. “We have 14 extremely unique beers on tap. There is something for everyone.”
You’ll find lesser seen styles like black IPA, oatmeal stout, kellerbier, gose and a Berliner Weisse all on tap. There are hidden details here, too.
“Our Secret Garden Cream Ale features green bell peppers that were grown right here on the property,” Daniel says. “The Kiss the Go Gose also has cucumbers from Mystic Hills.”
Even though beer is the star of the show, the brewery also offers a selection of wines, handcrafted cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
Five minutes from Sprague Brook, 8 minutes from Kissing Bridge Ski Resort and 40 minutes from downtown Buffalo, Mystic Hills Brewing is waiting for you in the periphery. What will you uncover?
While you’re there...
Whether you’re tagging the brewery on to a ski trip or building an itinerary around it, you can make a whole day out of East Concord and the surrounding towns.
As you cruise down the 219 South, make sure to stop at Art’s Cafe in Springville. The once-collapsed building was saved by passionate citizens and eventually turned into an artisan cafe and bakery. The menu features a variety of inventive breakfast sammies, including The Sarah—hard-boiled eggs with cream cheese and jalapeno jam. The cafe walls are adorned with art available for purchase.
Just up the road from Mystic Hills (atop one of the highest points in Erie County) is Snowy Brook Farm. You may recognize the name from the brewery. The small family farm provides homemade cookies, pretzels and jellies for the taproom. Run by Amy and Zach Barkley, Snowy Brook aims for environmental and social sustainability, while providing heritage poultry, pasture-raised eggs, seasonal fruits, vegetables and honey. Be sure to visit with their flock and see what’s for sale at their roadside stand, which often includes eggs of various colors.
On the way out, you can grab dinner at Last Run Tavern & Grill in Glenwood. This is the go-to spot for the staff of Mystic Hills. It has a casual cabin vibe with an extensive menu that features different specials every week, plus a fantastic draft list.
