Brewery owner recovers ancient yeast from shipwreck to brew craft beer

In a unique venture on Long Island, New York, Jamie Adams, the owner of St. James Brewery, utilized his scuba diving skills to recover yeast from an 1886 shipwreck. The discovery came after many divers had previously retrieved broken bottles from the wreck. With aspirations to recreate the beer enjoyed by passengers aboard the ship, Adams has been home brewing since 1994 and established his brewery in 2012. The recovery process involved isolating four different yeast strains from eight bottles, and, through careful manipulation, one strain was cultivated for beer production. Significantly, the recovered yeast lay dormant at the ocean's bottom for over a century, complicating its revival process. Notably, the Deep Ascent yeast strain is unique to Long Island, distinguishing itself from traditional British yeast, although it shares a lineage with classic British ale. The brewery's product line includes various ales, such as Pale Ale, IPA, and Captain Pat's Porter, all produced using the Deep Ascent strain. In addition to utilizing ancient yeast, the brewery sources strawberries from Sujecki Farms & Nurseries in Calverton for seasonal ale, Fraise. The brewing process transforms the sweetness of the strawberries into a subtle tartness, complemented by toffee-malted barley and locally sourced hops. Adams’s journey from home brewing in a rent-controlled Manhattan apartment to running a successful brewery showcases his passion for craft beer. After initially launching in an industrial space in Long Island City, the brewery quickly outgrew its first location and moved to Holbrook. Following adversity during the COVID pandemic, when many New York City customers faced financial struggles, the brewery found support from the local community. In March 2020, the brewery opened a taproom in Saint James, adapting to challenging conditions by implementing innovative sales strategies. Despite barriers posed by the pandemic, the dedication to craft brewing and local partnerships has fortified the brewery's presence in the area.