Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) honored Chris Sirianni, of Erie, as the first recipient of the Community Champion Award in 2025.
Sirianni, who owns The Brewerie at Union Station in Erie, co-founded the Lake Erie Ale Trail in 2014 to promote the growing craft beer industry in Northwest Pennsylvania. During his tenure, Sirianni grew the group from four to 17 local breweries. He stepped down from his executive duties with the Lake Erie Ale Trail in January 2025.
Rep. Kelly co-chairs the House Small Brewers Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Chris has been at the forefront of the local craft brewery scene for years and is most deserving of this award,” Rep. Kelly said. “It’s important to remember that local breweries are also small businesses. Chris’s hard work has created jobs, spurred economic growth in the Erie area, and has given back to the Erie community in numerous ways. I want to thank Chris for his dedication to the Erie community, and for his efforts to put our local breweries on the national stage.”
During a ceremony Tuesday at The Brewerie at Union Station, Kelly presented Sirianni with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and a Congressional commendation. Mr. Sirianni’s award also will be honored in the Congressional Record in the U.S. House of Representatives.
