By Dan King
For Rich and Kelley Taylor, owning a brewery is about more than brewing beer; it’s about being a part of the community.
The couple, who opened R.S. Taylor and Sons Brewery in West Hebron, aim to make their brewery a community-oriented place, focused on local products.
“When we were in Albany we were little fish in a big pond,” Kelley said. “Here we feel like we can be more involved in the community and make a difference.”
The Taylors buy local products any chance they get, while growing their own hops. 
“We want to show how breweries used to be, as an agricultural product,” Rich said. “We grow a lot of our own hops and what we can’t grow on our own we purchase from local spots.”
Originally the Taylors were planning on using their Hebron property, which they bought in 2010, as a retirement spot. Then when a few craft beverage-related acts were passed by the state Assembly, making it easier for “mom and pop” breweries, distilleries, vineyards and cideries to open, the two saw their opportunity.
“That made it a lot easier to pursue our dream,” Rich said.
The Taylors hope to market it as a “destination brewery” and attract craft beer drinkers from throughout the area.
They hope to capitalize on the natural beauty of the property, which has a small water fall and vast fields of a former farm; the taste of their beer; the homey feel; and soon enough, food.
“We’re going to start serving food in Mid-October hopefully,” Rich added. “In order to draw people from say Albany or Burlington, Vt., we need to have food and truly be a destination brewery.”
The couple said the food will mainly be items like soup and sandwiches.
The food, which will be cooked by the couple’s son, a chef in Albany, is sourced from local providers: Rupert Rising Bread in Rupert, Vt.; Consider Bardwell Farm in Pawlet, Vt.; Slack Hollow Farm in West Hebron; Four Fat Fowl in 
Stephentown; Gardenworks in Salem; Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens Falls; and Nettle Meadow in Warrensburg.
Final touches are being made to the kitchen and eating area, which will be located directly above the tap room and seat about 25. Additional seating is located on the back patio, looking out onto a rolling hill.
Currently, R.S. Taylor and Sons is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and open noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Beers on tap include the Nut Brown Ale, Amber Ale, English Ale, Belcher Town Ale, Harvest IPA and Oatmeal Stout. Just this week, Rich began a batch of a new Pumpkin Ale, which he said should be ready by early October. The flavors of the Pumpkin Ale all come from local farms.
“We’ve met a lot of great people and we are trying to keep everything local,” Kelley said.
The brewery is located at 3602 county Route 30 in West Hebron (Salem mailing address). More information can be found on Facebook, online at rstaylorbrewing.com or by calling 518-209-0474.
