Class of 1995’s Michael Flanagan is pursuing a family dream in Tennessee
By Andrew Harris
It must be something about growing up near the headwaters of the Genesee River. Wellsville has produced some very serious beer making men in the last half century. The Reuning-Fahs-Knapp-Walsh foursome who founded the Wellsville Brewing Company have been wildly successful. Brad O’Connor has taken his brewing talents to South Carolina where his Model A Brewery beers are winning major awards.
A new talent in the beer making world is emerging in Kingsport, Tennessee: Flanagan Brothers Bierworks. Wellsville graduate Mike Flanagan has just retired after a career as an EMT in Texas and is ready to follow a family dream for his next chapter.
” I’ve had a fulfilling career as a Paramedic and enjoyed every minute good and bad. Then we had a very unwelcome global pandemic that for us, like many others, put many things into perspective. I was no longer willing to only talk about our father’s dream and set out to make it reality. Just like that Flanagan Brothers Bierworks (FBB) was born and you all get to ride along on our journey. My Father dreamed of leaving a pub and community gathering spot to us boys. Unfortunately, my father John passed before that could happen but I am determined to make that a reality for our children and celebrate our Irish Heritage in the process.”
Flanagan has the dream in reach and needs some seed money to get the project started.
“Please help if you can every dollar adds up, I know a lot of folks aren’t in the greatest of financial positions right now but there are rewards for donating and even if you can do $5 or $10 that helps more then you think.”
You can donate to the Kickstarter effort or perhaps your contribution is non-monetary, I’m sure Mike would be glad to hear from you :
Michael.flanagan@flanaganbros.com