OBSERVER Photo by Michael Zabrodsky From left Ghostfish Brewery Company co-owners Brian Thiel, Matt Swank, and Richard Smith discuss opening an northeast production center inside the Grape Discovery Center in Westfield.

WESTFIELD — After three years of planning, a Seattle-based craft beer brewer now produces gluten-free beer in Chautauqua County.

Ghostfish Brewing Company held a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday to officially open its east coast processing center inside the Grape Discovery Center.

“This project has taken legs, and we have been working on this project for about three years. It feels like longer,” said co-owner Richard Smith

Smith added that the beer was already beeing sold on the east coast, so it was a good idea to expand and open a production center in the northeast.

“We talked about how do get closer to the customers, and we said Westfield is perfect — right here I-90,” Smith said as he pointed in the direction of Interstate 90.

“New Yorkers like to buy from New Yorkers, so New York City is obviously a big potential opportunity for Ghostfish. So here we are.”

Co-owner, and current Westfield resident Matt Swank said the community has been very supportive.

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“Sales take you where demand is. … We are sitting on just an amazing area that’s going to have great staffing, and have people that are hungry and passionate about business. We excited to be here and we are excited to grow,” Swank said.

GBC, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency said in a statement, is a dedicated, 100 percent gluten-free focused brewery.

And at GBC, “gluten-free” means everything is gluten-free, from the ingredients and processes to the equipment and utensils. Currently the largest producer of dedicated gluten-free beer in the United States by volume, the company currently distributes to 19 states and four Canadian Provinces.

Ghostfish, the IDA statement added, offers a diverse array of full-flavored beers with seven year-round beers, several rotating seasonal varieties, and multiple special releases.

The brand has won almost 30 medals in highly competitive beer competitions, including seven Great American Beer Fest medals and three awards in non-gluten-free categories. GBC was also voted “Best Beer Brand” in the 2017 Gluten Free Buyers Guide, and Grapefruit IPA is the No. 1 selling gluten-free IPA in the U.S. GBC hand selects naturally gluten-free grains, yeast strains, and hops with the upmost care. With friends and relatives personally affected by gluten or wheat intolerance, the owners want everyone to have the ability to enjoy trendy and traditional beers, regardless of gluten or wheat intolerance.

Mark Geise, IDA CEO, said the GBR project is good on many levels, especially for tourism.

“This is a win-win,” Geise said. “Chautauqua County has seen a tremendous increase in the number of breweries and distilleries in the past several years. This new gluten-free brewery is unique and will be yet another new attraction to the county and region,” Geise said.

The IDA has been involved with and supporting GBC’s expansion from the start, and provided direct assistance in the form of $165,902 in AL Tech Revolving Loan Fund loans for working capital and equipment purchases, as well as technical assistance and coordination of economic development programs. The Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation also successfully secured an $89,000 forgivable loan through New York Housing and Community Renewal, the IDA statement added.

Several local lawmakers including County Executive PJ Wendel, state Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Westfield Town Supervisor Martha Bills as well as representatives from state Sen. George Borrello, and U.S. Rep Nick Langworthy were present, and also welcomed GBC to the county.