Publick House Brewer Takes New Gig in Connecticut

After 16 years, the founding brewer of , Phil Markowski, has moved on to help found a new brewery in Stratford, Conn.

“He’s done a great job for us for 16 years,” said Publick House owner Donald Sullivan, adding that he wishes Markowski well.

Markowski could not be reached this week, but Sullivan said Markowski was presented with a career opportunity he could not pass up. The new venture, Two Roads Brewing Company, is a big regional brewery, he said.

Connecticut's newstimes.com reports that Two Roads Brewing Company is moving into a former factory with the help of a $500,000 state grant and expected to open in the fall.

Markowski started his brewing professionally in Connecticut in 1989 at Norwalk's New England Brewing Company, according to the Publick House's website. He's earned 25 medals for his craft beers during his career and was awarded the Institute for Brewing Studies Russell Scherer Award For Innovation in Craft Brewing at the 2003 Craft Brewers Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Newsday.com reports that Evan Addario, Southampton Publick's assistant brewer, is stepping into Markowski's former post.