What started as backyard homebrew now pours hundreds of barrels a year in downtown Ithaca, according to this Made in Tompkins feature. Personal Best Brewing has grown to produce about 625 barrels annually since opening in 2023.
Owner Anthony Cesari and head brewer Luke Thorley built a production-focused operation that emphasizes technical precision over beer fads. The brewery runs all 18 taps, leans heavily into lagers and pilsners, and experiments without chasing extremes.
Beyond the beer, the taproom doubles as a community hub, hosting events and partnerships that anchor Personal Best firmly in Ithaca’s local scene.
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