It Started With a Homebrew Kit 🍺

Kidd Squid’s story starts in the deep quiet of a Shelter Island winter. Back in 2015, Rory McEvoy, a lifelong New Yorker, found himself in a new world – married, a father, and suddenly far from the city’s beer scene. The craft brews he loved? Impossible to find. So, for his birthday, his wife and business partner Grainne handed him a solution: a homebrew kit.

What started as a pastime turned into an obsession. Over the next few years, Rory fine-tuned his process – upgrading from small batches to a full barrel-brewing system in his garage. The problem with brewing? Oxygen is the enemy, and to fight it, you need serious equipment. Little by little, Grainne and Rory acquired more gear. Finally, a batch was good enough to bottle.

The Name? A Three-Year-Old Came Up With It. 🎨

The first bottled beer needed a label. While designing it, Rory asked their son, Bennett, then three years old, what they should call it. Without hesitation, he answered: ˆ

The name stuck – sort of. Spirit sounded more like a distillery, so they kept the Squid and found inspiration in another legend: Captain Kidd, the 17th-century pirate-turned-privateer who buried treasure on Gardiners Island off the Hamptons coast before being captured, tried, and hanged – twice.

The Kidd Squid name blended history, local lore, and a personal connection. The last pub Rory visited with Grainne’s late stepfather in London? A tavern named after Captain Kidd. The pieces fit, and a brand was born.

From Garage to Taproom: The Leap to Business 🍻

Fast forward to 2021. Grainne and Rory had perfected their craft, but making beer for themselves wasn’t enough. The Hamptons had a thriving food scene, but local craft beer? Still catching up. When a vacant space in Sag Harbor opened up, the opportunity felt too good to pass up.

Grainne and Rory signed the lease and they opened their doors in July of 2022. 

What’s on Tap? 🍺

Kidd Squid started with just a few beers, but now they pour up to 18 taps.

Some are flagships, like:

Glass Lager & Kidd Pilsner – Clean, crisp, and always in rotation.

Shortfin, Longfin, Bigfin – A series of IPAs, from sessionable to double-hopped.

Squid Vicious – A house staple.

Moon Series – A constantly evolving lineup of experimental brews, made with the most local ingredients possible.

Beyond beer, Kidd Squid is an experience. The tasting room is a community hub, a portal into daily life in the Hamptons. Whether it’s a live music night, a trivia showdown, or a holiday celebration, it’s more than just a brewery – it’s a sunny gathering spot connected to a garden center where kids and dogs run around and you can bring in your own food.

Inside Tip: Look Out for the Moon Series. 🌙

The Moon Series isn’t just about the beer. Each release is inspired by full moons, local farms, and experimental brewing techniques. Some even helped shape Kidd Squid’s flagship recipes. When a new Moon Series drop hits, it won’t last long.

Kidd Squid’s journey from a Shelter Island garage to a Hamptons staple wasn’t planned. It just kept going. And for anyone who loves great beer with a story, that’s very good news for everyone that likes to sip and smile.

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🌐 Kidd Squid Brewing Co.

About Us

This card was written by Rory and Grainne of Kidd Squid, a craft brewery, tasting room and beer garden in Sag Harbor, NY. Click on our avatar above to see more of our local finds and inside tips.