Po’Boy Brewery - Great Beer and Cider is Our Mission!

Craft beer isn’t just about hops, malt, and fermentation—it’s about community, passion, and the people who bring it all to life. At Po’Boy Brewery, Wesam Hassanin embodies this philosophy. As bar manager and alongside her husband, Bob Rodriguez, Wesam has played an instrumental role in transforming Po’Boy from a vision into a thriving gathering place for beer lovers. With an infectious enthusiasm and hands-on approach, Wesam ensures that every guest who walks through Po’Boy’s doors feels like family. Whether she’s curating the perfect tap lineup, fostering connections with patrons, or infusing the space with a welcoming energy, her presence is at the heart of the brewery’s success. Together with Bob, she continues to push Po’Boy forward, shaping its identity and expanding its reach—one pour at a time. In this interview with Delivery Rank, Wesam shares insights into the journey behind Po’Boy Brewery, the challenges and triumphs of running a craft beer haven, and how she keeps the spirit of hospitality at the forefront of everything she does.

Po’Boy Brewery has built a strong reputation in the Long Island craft beer scene. What was the initial inspiration behind launching the brewery, and how has the vision evolved over the years?

Po’Boy Brewery was born out of a deep love for craft beer, community, and creativity. Bob, our founder and owner, started as a passionate homebrewer, constantly experimenting and pushing the boundaries of flavor. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a calling, and with encouragement from friends, family, and fellow beer lovers, Po’Boy Brewery became a reality.

From day one, our vision was to create a space where people could come together over great beer, and feel like they were part of something special. Over the years, that vision has only grown. We’ve expanded our offerings, embraced new brewing techniques, and continued to foster a welcoming environment where everyone—whether they’re seasoned craft beer fans or just starting their journey—feels at home.

Your founder, Bob Rodriguez, has an impressive track record in national beer competitions. How does that level of expertise influence the brewing process and the unique styles Po’Boy Brewery offers?

Bob’s experience in national competitions has shaped our brewery in so many ways. Competing at that level means constantly refining recipes, balancing flavors, and pushing for excellence. It’s not just about making beer—it’s about crafting something that tells a story, something that lingers with you long after the last sip.

That competitive spirit influences everything we do at Po’Boy. We’re not afraid to experiment, whether it’s a unique sour, a bold IPA, or a rich, complex stout. But at the heart of it all is balance—making sure every beer and cider we put out meets the highest standard of quality while still being fun, approachable, and packed with flavor.

Craft breweries often have a signature brew or fan favorite. What are some of Po’Boy Brewery’s most popular beers and ciders, and what makes them stand out?

At Po’Boy Brewery, choosing a fan favorite is like trying to pick your favorite song—it depends on the mood, the moment, and the person sipping! We pride ourselves on brewing something for everyone, whether you love hazy IPAs, tart sours, rich ciders, or even top-tier non-alcoholic options. Here are just a few of the heavy hitters that have made their mark in our taproom:

🍻 Cloudy Mentality – NEIPA

Part of our beloved Mentality Series, this flagship New England IPA is the definition of soft, juicy, and dangerously drinkable. Brewed with oats for a velvety-smooth mouthfeel, Cloudy Mentality skips the traditional bittering hops, allowing the tropical fruit explosion to take center stage. Think mango, pineapple, and citrus all wrapped up in a luscious, hazy pour. It’s a must-try for IPA lovers and the ultimate gateway beer for anyone looking to fall in love with hoppy brews.

💜 Sour Mashup – Fruited Kettle Sour

One sip of Sour Mashup, and you’ll understand why it’s one of our top sellers. Bursting with blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry, this kettle sour delivers a tart punch that’s perfectly balanced with a subtle hint of marshmallow. It’s sweet, sour, smooth, and complex all at once—the kind of beer that keeps you coming back for more. And honestly? The first word out of most people’s mouths when they taste it is just “WOW.”

🍏 Crisp-Bee Apple Pie – Hard Cider

If fall had a flavor, this would be it. Crisp-Bee Apple Pie is crafted with a high percentage of honeycrisp apples, giving it an incredible natural sweetness that’s enhanced with just the right touch of cinnamon. The result? A cider that tastes just like the inside of a warm apple pie—without the need for a fork. Can you say YUMMMMM?! Whether you’re sipping it by a bonfire or just craving those cozy fall vibes, this one never goes out of season.

🍺 NoPo – Non-Alcoholic Beer

Craft beer should be for everyone, and NoPo is our way of making sure non-drinkers don’t miss out on the experience. This rotating non-alcoholic brew delivers all the flavor, body, and hop-forward goodness you’d expect from a full-strength beer—without the alcohol. Whether you’re cutting back, taking a break, or just looking for an awesome NA option, NoPo is changing the game for craft beer lovers.

And this is just the beginning. We’re always experimenting, always innovating, and always pushing the boundaries of what craft beer and cider can be. Whether you’re a hophead, a sour fiend, a cider lover, or just someone looking to try something new, there’s a pour at Po’Boy Brewery with your name on it.

Po’Boy Brewery isn’t just about beer—you also craft ciders. What inspired the decision to include cider in your lineup, and how does the approach to cider-making differ from beer brewing?

At Po’Boy Brewery, we’re more than just a brewery—we’re also a cidery. At any given time, we have at least four different ciders on tap, each crafted with the same passion and attention to detail as our beers. But these aren’t just any ciders. We take pride in creating flavors that you won’t find anywhere else on the market, using only real, natural fruit with no added sugar. The result? A crisp, refreshing drink that highlights the true essence of the ingredients. Plus, almost all of our ciders are gluten-free, making them a fantastic option for those with dietary restrictions.

Bob’s ciders are perfectly balanced in every way, and the proof is in the response. Even people who typically don’t like ciders can’t get enough—they take a sip, and next thing you know, they’re ordering multiple four-packs to go! We hear it all the time: “I didn’t think I liked cider, but THIS… this is different.” And that’s exactly why we do what we do.

The decision to brew cider was all about inclusivity. We recognized that not everyone who walks into a brewery is a beer drinker, and we wanted to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. By adding cider to our lineup, we opened the door for more people to join the Po’Boy family, whether they love beer, cider, or just appreciate a well-crafted drink.

That being said, cider-making is an entirely different art form from brewing beer. While beer is all about balancing grains, hops, and yeast, cider is about letting the fruit shine. The fermentation process, the levels of sweetness, and even the way we blend flavors require a completely different mindset. It’s been an exciting challenge, and seeing how much our customers love our ciders makes it all worth it.

At Po’Boy, we believe that craft beverages should be for everyone—whether you’re a beer lover, a cider fan, or someone just looking to try something new. And with our constantly rotating selection of one-of-a-kind flavors, there’s always something fresh and exciting waiting for you on tap.

Looking ahead, what’s next for Po’Boy Brewery? Are there any exciting new releases, expansions, or collaborations on the horizon?

We’re always experimenting and finding new ways to bring exciting flavors to our customers, and one of the areas we’re most excited about is expanding our non-alcoholic options. We believe that craft beverages should be inclusive, and we’ve put just as much passion and creativity into our NA lineup as we do with our beers and ciders.

Our Mo-Po Mocktails have been a huge hit in our Sour Patch area, and we’re looking forward to expanding that lineup. These handcrafted, alcohol-free drinks deliver all the complexity, depth, and experience of a great cocktail, so you can fully immerse yourself in the craft beverage scene—without the alcohol. Whether you're taking a break from drinking or just looking for a delicious, refreshing option, Mo-Po is the perfect way to still feel part of the celebration.

In addition to our non-alcoholic innovations, we’ve also started experimenting with hard iced teas, and they’ve been an absolute hit! These delicious, refreshing teas have been flying off the taps so fast that we can barely keep up. The response has been incredible, and we’re excited to continue developing new flavors to keep our customers coming back for more.

But that’s not all—there’s always something brewing at Po’Boy—literally! We’re working on some exciting small-batch experimental releases, including a few barrel-aged projects and a new twist on our sour series. We love pushing the boundaries of flavor and craftsmanship, and these upcoming releases will showcase the creativity and passion that make Po’Boy Brewery so unique.

No matter what you’re into—beer, cider, mocktails, or hard teas—there’s always something fresh and exciting to try at Po’Boy. We can’t wait to share what’s next.

At the heart of Po’Boy Brewery isn’t just the beer, the cider, or the craft—it’s the people. Our Po’Folk, (AKA or Po’Boy family, our 75 die-hard Muggers in our Exclusive Mug Club, and our ever-growing friends patiently waiting for a spot in our Mug Club have been the driving force behind everything we do since day one. Each pint poured, every laugh shared, and every unforgettable night in our taproom wouldn’t be possible without the incredible community that has embraced us and helped make this dream a reality. We truly could not have done it without them.

From the very start, we set out to create more than just great beer and cider—we wanted to build a home away from home, a space where people felt welcome, celebrated, and a part of something bigger. A place where Bobby and I wanted to hang out.  Over the past eight years, the love and support we’ve received from our loyal patrons has far exceeded our expectations. Po’Boy Brewery has become a place where memories are made, connections are formed, and the sense of belonging is felt deeply by everyone who walks through our doors.   Every visit, every toast, and every moment spent here is a reminder of just how lucky we are to be surrounded by such an amazing, supportive, and passionate group of people.

So, while we’re incredibly proud of the beer and cider we create, it’s really the people who make Po’Boy what it is. Our gratitude for them is immeasurable. They’ve made Po’Boy Brewery a true family, and we’re thankful every single day for their unwavering support. This journey wouldn’t be possible without them, and we’re excited to continue this adventure together.

To read more about Po’Boy Brewery, please visit https://www.poboybrewery.com/