Women in Craft Beverage: Pioneers of Cayuga County

Dawn Schulz – Prison City Brewing, Auburn, NY

Dawn Schulz, co-founder of Prison City Brewing, has made a mark on the craft beer industry. Alongside her husband, Marc, she has transformed Prison City into a nationally recognized brand, known for its creative brews and locally inspired cuisine.

Dawn is also a passionate advocate for women in brewing, actively participating in the Pink Boots Society, which supports women in the alcoholic beverage industry. Each March, she leads Prison City’s involvement in the Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day, celebrating International Women’s Day through the art of beer-making. In addition, she is the driving force behind the Brave Brews Festival, an event in Auburn that brings together female and non-binary professionals in the craft beverage world for a weekend of collaboration, education, and celebration. 

Her leadership in both Prison City Brewing and Brave Brews has solidified her as a key figure in the Finger Lakes craft beer scene, fostering community engagement and innovation in the industry.

Kristen Lunkenheimer – Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Weedsport, NY

Kristen Lunkenheimer is the co-founder of Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Cayuga County’s first licensed brewery since Prohibition. Established in 2013 with her husband, Derric Slocum, LCBC has become a staple in the region, known for its dedication to quality and community.

The brewery’s name reflects Kristen’s heritage, and she takes pride in fostering a space where craft beer lovers can gather and connect. With a commitment to sourcing local ingredients and brewing small-batch creations, Kristen has built a brewery that embodies the spirit of independent craft beer. Her passion for beer, people, and community continues to shape the brewery’s organic growth and commitment to high-quality, locally inspired brews.

Jennifer Giroux – Summerhill Brewing, Locke, NY

Jennifer Giroux’s journey into the craft beverage world is as unique as the brewery she now co-owns. A musician and sign language interpreter, Jennifer was first introduced to Summerhill Brewing through her performances at the venue. What started as a love for the atmosphere and community evolved into ownership when she and brewer Greg Warren took over the brewery in February 2024.

Now at the helm, Jennifer is focused on expanding Summerhill’s offerings, with plans for tiny inns on the brewery’s scenic 20-acre property and fostering a lively community hub through live events. With a vision that blends her love of music, people, and craft beer, she is redefining what a brewery can be in Cayuga County.

Though brewery ownership wasn’t always in her plans, Giroux now sees it as a meaningful endeavor—one that blends her passion for people, music, and craft beer to create a unique and welcoming destination in the region.

Elaine Ferrier – Combgrown Mead, Auburn, NY

Elaine Ferrier is the founder and owner of Combgrown Mead, a distinctive meadery located in Auburn, New York. Originally from Canada, Elaine and her husband, Michael, relocated to Auburn, recognizing a gap in the local market for mead—a honey-based alcoholic beverage—she established Combgrown Mead, which officially opened its doors on July 21, 2023.

Combgrown specializes in low-ABV(lower alcohol by volume) meads, making the honey-based beverage more accessible to a broader audience. Since opening in 2023, Elaine has impressed customers with creative flavors like Elderflower, Cherry, Pumpkin Chai, and Peach Sour Session Mead..

Elaine’s dedication to her craft and her community has positioned Combgrown Mead as a notable establishment in Auburn’s burgeoning craft beverage scene. Her innovative approach to mead-making continues to attract and inspire both connoisseurs and newcomers alike.

Gail Morse – Kelloggsville Farm Cidery & Winery, Moravia, NY

As co-founder of Kelloggsville Farm Cidery and Winery, Gail Morse is dedicated to crafting high-quality ciders and wines using locally grown apples and other fruits. Alongside her partner, Robert Gallasch, she has turned their farm into a destination for cider lovers, offering a tasting room that showcases both their beverages and handcrafted woodwork, and additionally selling at local farmers markets like Owasco Farmers’ Market in the summer.

Gail’s commitment extends beyond her business—she is actively involved in the community through her work on the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Niles, election poll worker and as a member of the Moravia Area Garden Club. Through Kelloggsville Farm Cidery, she not only contributes to the local craft beverage industry but also plays a vital role in promoting Cayuga County’s agricultural heritage.

Through Kelloggsville Farm Cidery and Winery, Gail Morse continues to support and enhance the local community by offering quality, locally sourced products and fostering a welcoming environment for visitors.