Cottrell Brewing Company: More Than Meets The Eye

Some older folks and history buffs in the area may know the name Cottrell well. Calvin Byron Cottrell owned C.B. Cottrell and Sons from 1855 to 1989 and made printing presses where is currently located in Pawcatuck.                                     

Years later, after the closure and sale of the C.B. Cottrell building, Calvin’s great great grandson Charlie Cottrell Buffum resurrected the family name and opened Cottrell Brewing Company .

“My grandfather did not touch a drop of alcohol so he’s probably rolling in his grave,” Buffum said in a jovial tone.  

Although Buffum had generations of family in the Westerly/Pawcatuck area, after college where he earned a degree in economics, he headed for the United Kingdom to get his MBA at the London Business School. Work as a management consultant kept Buffum in London for four years but work in Boston eventually brought him back.

“Around 1985, my wife Ann gave me a home brewing kit and I made beer in my New York apartment,” Buffum said.

Visiting many brewerys and making homemade beer became Buffum’s passion. He tested the waters at Ipswitch Brewing Company to see if this was a career path he was interested in following.

“I was traveling seven days a week and in a moment of insanity, I threw in the corporate towel and decided to do this,” Buffum said. 

Now 15 years later, Cottrell Brewing is going strong with their signature Old Yankee Ale, Mystic Bridge IPA and Cottrell Summer Ale. Cottrell also crafts beer for other businesses and is currently working on two for Trader Joe’s and another based on George Washington’s famous recipe.

With big economic growth in the craft brewing industry, Cottrell Brewing produces 5,500 barrels a year and Buffum hopes to double the business eventually.

“During this recession we’ve had no down turn,” Buffum said. “There’s more of a demand for flavorful beer and supporting local is a growing movement—we are where wine was 20 years ago.”

Craft brewed beer is Buffum’s livelihood but outside of work, he’s enthusiastic about diving in this area which her refers to as paradise. 

Buffum and fellow diver Craig Harger discovered the off the Rhode Island coast in January 2011.

“We dived that site over 100 times and found six canons, possibly the ship’s main anchor, shot and iron bits,” Buffum said.

Coincidentally, Buffum and Harger discovered the after Oliver Hazard Perry wrecked the schooner in treacherous and foggy conditions. Even more coincidental is Buffum’s distant relationship to the Perry family through his great grandmother Phoebe Perry. 

Coming full circle seems to be an intrinsic part of life for Buffum and he thrives in this community, contributing a unique local product to the area. He’s content about his decision to have left corporate America to follow his heart.

“Making beer is part art and part science and a bit of magic,” Buffum said. “We make something that people appreciate and it’s fun to be able to put out a product with your name on it for people to enjoy."