Basil Lee took quite the circuitous route to co-founding a craft brewery. He attended art school on the road to becoming an architect, working for a large firm for almost 10 years. As so often happens, Basil came to a crossroads. Does he keep progressing with his current company? Does he try to open his own firm? Or is it time for a new challenge altogether?

Basil chose to dive into the craft beer world with art school friend and Finback Brewery co-founder Kevin Stafford. Together they secured a space in little-traveled Glendale, a neighborhood in Queens that’s a good 30-minute walk from the closest subway station.

Over the years, Basil has been remarkably creative in positioning the business for success, pivoting to a delivery service during the pandemic and designing each space for different experiences.

Hear how that flexibility - and his unique talents - have helped Finback grow into a beloved part of the vibrant New York City beer scene in this illuminating conversation.

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