A taproom with no kitchen and no brewing equipment has quietly become one of Delmar's newest hangouts. Tap20 officially opened on October 10 at 20 Hallwood Road, taking over the former Real McCoy Beer space and pouring 12 rotating taps of craft beer alongside specialty cocktails and wine.
The taproom is owned by three friends, Evan Marsh, Matt Young and Jeff Young, who according to NEWS10 ABC decided to buy the old Real McCoy building and turn it into a taproom. Marsh has known the Young brothers since they were 10 years old, and all three graduated from Bethlehem High School together, the station reports. Outside of Tap20, Marsh runs a physical therapy business while Matt and Jeff Young own a landscaping company.
No Kitchen, No Brewing, Still Pouring
Despite its name and taps, Tap20 does not brew any of its own beer. Marsh told the station there is no brewing on site and that the trio instead works with distributors to stock the taps, though he said they may eventually partner with a local brewer to produce a Tap20 beer of their own. The taproom also has no kitchen of its own.
To fill that gap, the owners have built a food-delivery partnership rather than installing a stove. Guests can order food at the taproom from Stacked Grill, which will deliver the food directly to Tap20, the same report notes. Patrons can also place those orders from Stacked Grill through Tap20's own point of sale during the restaurant's business hours, according to the Daily Gazette. Marsh said guests are also welcome to bring their own food if they'd rather not order in.
Building a Network Instead of a Menu
The owners are continuing to build relationships with nearby restaurants to provide food options beyond Stacked Grill, leaning on a model where the taproom functions more as a hub than a traditional restaurant. The Gazette reports Tap20 has already joined forces with two local eateries, Brewtus Roasting and Stacked Grill, and plans to bring in rotating food trucks down the line.
That same outside-business strategy extends to entertainment. The owners are planning trivia nights along with private and non-private special events, the Gazette notes, and the taproom features outdoor games such as cornhole, giant Jenga and Connect 4 in a family-friendly outdoor area with picnic tables, tents and heaters.
Licensing and Hours
Tap20's liquor license was issued by the New York State Liquor Authority to Evan Marsh, Jeffrey Young and Matthew Young, according to the Times Union. The taproom opens at 4 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Friday and at noon on Saturdays and Sundays, and it stays closed on Tuesdays, per the same report.
Marsh told NEWS10 that the community response to Tap20 has been great so far, as the three childhood friends settle into running a business together more than two decades after meeting in Delmar. For now, the taproom's bet is that 12 rotating taps and a strong delivery partner can carry a space that never installed a kitchen of its own.
