Equilibrium Brewery’s founders — from engineers to entrepreneurs

MIDDLETOWN — Two MIT engineers, plus a love of craft beer, is how Equilibrium Brewery came to be.
Peter Oates and Ricardo Petroni both earned degrees at Massachusetts of Technology in environmental engineering, and started their careers working together at an engineering firm.
Oates had a passion for home-brew, and Ricardo had a knack for business.
In 2016, they made the leap, and opened Equilibrium Brewery in Middletown. Oates and Petroni, chose to open their business in Orange County in part because, unlike Vermont, “the brewery per capita” wasn’t too dense. The Hudson Valley was just becoming a budding craft beer destination.
The result of this endeavor was a brewery that uses scientific principles to create a balance of drinkables and massive flavor.
“That’s why we named it 'Equilibrium,' you have to get just the right balance of the flavors and drinkability,” Petroni said.
A popular favorite “There and Back Again” is a testament to the versatility of the brews.
This fan favorite doesn’t just come in one flavor, but original, apricot and peaches, blackberry, plum and even cherry, winning it the title “Best Beer in NY” at TAP NY 2018.
With craft beer names like "MC2" and "Photon Citra," Equilibrium certainly stays true to their roots, and boasts a large cult following. Sometimes, lines wrap around the building for a beer release.
“The lines are sort of this remarkable phenomenon,” Oates told Dirt Magazine “Really it’s about a sense of community. I think it’s actually a reason to go hang out together.”
On June 9, try some of Equilibrium’s calculated brews — and tastings from four other local breweries — during Dirt’s Brew Hop: www.dirtbrewhop.com.