Located just south of Elmira in Pine City, NY, John G. Ryan, Inc. is a wholesale beverage distributor that services a large portion of the Southern Tier and southern Finger Lakes region.

Beer was legalized by the US government on April 7, 1933. In July 1933, John Ryan began working for Berner and Friedman. He worked at their grocery store as a clerk. Their store also had a wholesale beer license, financed by Harry Rubin, who then remained a silent partner for one year.

In September 1933, John was promoted to a truck driver. At this time, there were six beer distributors in Elmira. There were also two breweries in the area: Nector's Brewery in Elmira and Record's Brewery in Watkins Glen.

In 1938, John received a small stake in the business. By 1942, his stake had grown to one-third of the business. In 1948, John and Friedman bought Berner's share and became equal partners. John G, Ryan, Inc. was beginning to take shape.

In 1960, the business moved from the corner of High and Water Street to the present address at 14 Kent Rd. In 1964, John bought out Friedman's share of the business and became the sole owner. The name of the business was promptly changed to: John G. Ryan, Beer Distributor. This was the beginning of the present-day John G. Ryan, Inc.