12 Gates of EVL : Food, Drinks and So Much More…
12 Gates of EVL : Food, Drinks and So Much More…
Let’s Talk Late Night Kitchen, Entertainment and Beer (Of Course)
Co-Found Tom Kirchmeyer enjoying time with some of 12 Gates guests. Photos / 12 Gates of EVL
Ellicottville is no stranger to craft beer, and 12 Gates of EVL (located at 14 Washington Street), though one of the newer breweries to call us home, definitely ranks as one of the favorites among locals and visitors alike. The establishment has gained quite the following since they opened their downtown location back in 2022, and both co-founder Tom Kirchmeyer and EVL manager Audrey Snow have big plans for the future. ellicottvilleNOW recently sat down with both of them to talk about those plans.
eNOW: You’ve been up and running for a bit now. What are some of the biggest changes you've made since your grand opening?
TOM: We opened on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving 2022. That’s only 8 months and we’ve been slowly making changes as we get the “feel” for Ellicottville and not only its residents, but all the events that the Chamber and ski areas put on throughout the year. We have been asking our customers what they want so we are always tweaking our menu to accommodate. We are slowly adding some sound dampeners to make the acoustics better in our space. Come and see our new skull art on the far wall! The ceiling will be next.
eNOW: Your kitchen is going to stay open late on Fridays and Saturdays. Can you give us details on your menu items and what sets them apart from other local restaurants?
AUDREY: We have lots of great late-night options including our brisket nachos, flatbreads, and dirty kettle chips that are all good-sized portions at great prices and they are shareable. I would also mention that we have games like darts and bubble hockey and various table games throughout the bar for guests.
eNOW: 12 Gates certainly brings in a lot of live entertainment. Who do you have on deck for this upcoming week?
AUDREY: Our live music this weekend will include Ade Adu, a solo acoustic guitar performer that has a good following here in Ellicottville and all of WNY. We just recently started hosting a Trivia Night every Thursday which is bringing in more people each week. We also offer a free drink for the person getting married in the many groups of bachelorette and bachelor parties bar-hopping throughout the village all year round.
eNOW: Which 12 Gates beer do you feel is the most unique out of what you create and which one is your favorite?
TOM: The most unique beer we offer - and it’s exclusive to our EVL location - is our Peruvian Porter which we brewed in collaboration with Ellicottville Coffee Company next door. They provide us with the absolute best coffee beans sourced in Peru. Yes, that’s the country in South America about 3,500 miles due south of EVL. This beer is almost a cross between a porter and a stout, and despite the dark color, it’s a rather light tasting summer porter with subtle notes of both coffee beans and chocolate. Many customers have been asking for that beer to-go, so the 16oz. 4-packs will be released just before Fall Fest. Again, we listen to our customers and do our best to offer them what they want. As for my personal favorite, it’s our award-winning Moonlight Fog Hazy IPA. It was voted the 3rd best in the state last year. The medal is on display in our EVL location. But a close 2nd and my go-to beer of choice is the Off-Road Session IPA. If I’m out and I want to have more than 2 beers, this IPA is crushable at only 4.5% ABV yet it still brings out a slight bitterness with citrus notes. It’s the favorite beer of our 12 Gates Jeep Club, and info about the club is on the can itself. We have both the Moonlight Fog and the Off-Road on tap and in to-go cans/cases available to our customers in EVL.
eNOW: What are your plans moving forward from this point?
TOM: We are really excited for the upcoming festivals for the end of summer and the fall. We are hoping to have a large tent and outdoor live music for Fall Fest weekend in our back parking lot. We are currently working with Ellicottville Coffee Company and the village on this for all proper permits, etc. We will continue adding new cocktail recipes, beers, and food items as we move forward.
eNOW: What does it mean to you, to be part of the Ellicottville community?
TOM: Getting to know all the people that work in the village and own other establishments has been beneficial because they are all so helpful. We only hope that someday soon we can be a resource for others. We’ve met so many people from PA and Ohio, Canada and from all over New York state. It’s amazing what a cool destination Ellicottville has become, and we believe it will get even better as people seem to be spending more time outside of big cities. The beautiful views of the slopes and the surrounding wooded parks are such a draw, and with Ellicottville being a 4-season resort area, we are excited to grow with the village. We know we are new to Ellicottville, but hopefully we are enhancing the vibe of the village and providing another great option for thirsty and hungry visitors!
Thank you to both Tom and Audrey for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing all this great information. 12 Gates of EVL is open Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 12:00-9:00pm, Friday and Saturday 12:00pm-12:00am (kitchen open until 11:00pm both nights), closed Monday and Wednesday. For more information, visit their website at 12gatesbrewing.com/12-gates-of-evl.
