Adirondack through and through.

Duncan Kincaid comes from a long line of hearty folk who landed in the Adirondacks in the late 1880's from Scotland and Ireland.

Duncan's was named after his grandfather who was born in the late 1880's in the family cabin built in Essex County. He was in his fifties when Duncan was young and was a great influence on him. Duncan spent his earliest years tromping about behind that cabin in pursuit of adventure with Gramp, in fact his first steps were to scamper out the door in an attempt to join his grandfather on a hike.

"Gramp" was the "real brewer" of the family and taught Duncan how to brew ales, porters and stouts. He was a hunter, a guide and a builder. He was always helping someone. He said many times, "My load's light. I can carry more." His parents were Duncan Kincaid, from Scotland, and Rebecca Kelley, born in Ireland. They were born around 1860, met after arriving in America, and as Gramp'd say, "Married fast and made it last."

Duncan's great-grandfather was a guide and had worked as a master builder for Durant, including stints building the Great Camps of Raquette Lake. He later worked for the Vanderbilt family with his son, Duncan's grandfather, upgrading the Vanderbilt family camp: Sagamore. His son came to be called "Dacker" short for "Adirondacker." Alfred Vanderbilt himself called them "Duncan Up" and "Duncan Down" as the younger always did the high work while the father stayed nearer the ground. It's said the Vanderbilt household staff had a particular penchant for the Dacker’s ale Duncan Up supplied for a token fee.