Marlowe Ales is back, with a new beer-centric location, new coalition and new mission

Those who remember Marlowe Artisanal Ales in Nyack (it was on Main Street for only six months before closing due to a partnership dispute) will be happy to know it's back. But now it's across the river in Westchester, replacing what had been Decadent Ales in Mamaroneck next to Half Time Beverages.

Marlowe Ales is now in a larger, airier space, but is still offering elevated pub food such as tacos, a super popular pickle dip and a killer burger, as well as a variety of pale ales, IPAs and traditional German and English style beers (more about that in a minute). Founder Zac Ross has, this time around, created an umbrella organization called the New York Craft Coalition (NYCC) with fellow brewer Brian Barclay of Barclay Brewing Co. So he'll be focusing not only on his beers but beers from Barclay and other brewers. (Look for a NYCC seltzer and Oktoberfest coming soon.)

The new arrangement is basically a collective with the mission to help other brands incubate and grow, be they beer, coffee, canned cocktails or something else. "The whole idea is to be fluid," said Barclay. "So we can spread our eggs across different baskets."

The goal for Marlowe Ales is to make Mamaroneck a premier beer experience. That means multiple taps focused on Marlowe, Barclay and NYCC branded items, as well as guest beers. The plan is to open the week of Aug. 16 (check their social media for details).

Let's talk beer

Barclay, who's been brewing since 2013, is mainly focused on barrel aged stouts while Ross, who's been brewing since 2012, is a master at brewing balanced, highly drinkable beers such as pale ales, lagers and English-style variations. The two met at Twelve Percent Beer Project, a distributor, contract brewer, and taproom in North Haven, Connecticut, where Ross brewed for some of the country’s buzziest breweries while starting Marlowe Ales.

When they both heard Paul Pignataro of Decadent was ready to move on — Barclay had been working there after moving back from Chicago — they decided to join forces, not just as a way to brew their own beers but to help others do the same.

More: Coming soon: 22 new Westchester dining spots and coffee shops to open

Ross, who still lives in Nyack, said he was attracted to Westchester's dense population. Also, it's closer to New York City with the Mamaroneck train station literally a stone's throw away. It's also a good halfway point for him and Barclay, who lives in Connecticut.

Joining forces, they said, is a great way for beer lovers to get variety in one place and to gain from their collective experience and perspectives. "It gives us a change to reinvent what we've both been doing," said Ross.

His first beer at the new spot, in fact, is a heavily hopped double IPA named after his father, William, and features an old high school picture of his dad with "Wild Bill" stamped on the bottom. Marlowe, it should be noted, is named after his late grandfather on his mother's side, so for his dad's birthday this year, he thought it was time to name something after his father's side.

Barclay, which carries Brian's last name, brewed his first beer, Radius, a pale ale with Cashmere and Comet Estate hops, in Mamaroneck.

Koji-aged burgers

As for the food, Ross said he had time after Nyack's closing to play with — and perfect — some of his menu items. His famous Nickel Pickle Dip is definitely back (ya gotta try it to know what I'm talking about), as is his burger, which was renown in Rockland. Ross says it's even better this time around, beings koji-aged, which means the burger mimics dry-aged flavors without the length of time necessary for dry aging. He's also experimenting with dehydrating "some really cool stuff" that he plans on sprinkling on items like fries.

More: Newly-opened Nyack brewery is creating beer 'to gather over'

And his tacos, it should be pointed out, are made from tortillas from Kansas City-based Yoli Tortilleria, which recently won a James Beard award.

The ambiance

Beer lovers who'd been to Decadent will recognize the same layout, refreshed with new paint and the brewery's core colors of terra cotta red, blue and gold. There are also cozier touches such as a long bench cushioned with colorful pillows, and mismatched chairs (Ross said they got them from Goodwill and painted them), as well as new high top tables in between the bar and the windowed tables.

A large selection of barrels set the tone at the entrance, while a colorful abstract mural in the back, created by Carla Waclawski, an artist and fellow brewer who’s collaborated with Ross on Marlowe's label art, adds a funky vibe that lets you know this is not your average brewery.

If you go

Address: 139 Hoyt Ave., Mamaroneck, 914-200-1510

Hours: 2 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; to 9 p.m. Sunday

Good to know: Hours may change as the owners better understand their flow. There will soon be an outdoor area with dogs welcome.

Bonus: NYCC has a partnership with Half Time Beverage (the beer superstore next door) which means they can offer direct-to-consumer shipping. Also, Nickel Pickle Dip T-shirts are coming soon.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Marlowe Ales returns in Mamaroneck, part of a New York Craft Coalition