Matthew D Allyn

Matthew D. Allyn, 53, of Corry, PA, succumbed to his injuries from a tragic car accident on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, IN.
He was born on November 21, 1971, in Erie, PA, a son of Marnee (Voegele) Booth and the late J. Michael Allyn.
Matt was raised and educated in Corry and graduated from Corry Area High School in 1990. After graduation, he entered the US Air Force and served until 1994, earning the Air Force Good Conduct Medal and National Service Medal. During his time serving, Matt became interested in the science of brewing. He built on this interest while stationed in Iceland and later apprenticed in Germany. Once he returned to the US, Matt was an apprentice at Naisbitt's Brewery in Ogden, Utah until 1995. He then moved to Jackson, Michigan and worked at the late Jackson Brewing Co., then on to the Copper Cannon Brewery in Southfield, Michigan for about four years, consulting on various projects in the meantime. In 2002, he got the chance to come back home as Erie Brewing's brewmaster, a job he held until he started planning and then running Four Sons Brewing in Titusville, PA until its closing.
In 2006, he founded/built Voodoo Brewery with his then fiancé, Erica Helmer and did his first brew there in January 2007. He owned and operated it until February 2016 when he and Erica sold to his partners. Matt helped design and build John Russell Brewing, where he was head brewer from 2021 until 2024. He ran his consulting business, Allyn Brewing Group, until his death. He consulted on many breweries, including, Sprague Farm and Brew Works, Rivertowne Pour House, Millcreek Brewing, Blue Canoe Brewing, Lavery Brewing, The Brewerie at Union Station, 7 Sins Brewery, Beer Tree (Port Crane, NY) and many more. He was a pivotal member of Michigan Brewers Guild, Brewers of Pennsylvania, and Lake Erie Ale Trails. Matt was always happily available to his fellow brewers with his overabundance of knowledge. Matt leaves behind a legacy for the local craft beer scene. He was very active in the Corry community, always volunteering, giving to fundraisers, and helping friends. Through all of his accomplishments, Matt was most proud of his children.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Fran Allyn and stepfather, Charles "Chucky" Booth.
Matt is survived by his wife, Erica Helmer-Allyn, whom he married on September 22, 2006; daughter, Samantha (Matt) Allen; son, Porter Allyn; five sisters, Judy (Mike) Snitcher, Kelee (George) Ryder, Jennifer (Matt) Necessary, Beth Pike, Tippy (Jeremy) Hamilton; three brothers, Jed Allyn, Chip (Linda) Booth, John (Crissa) Woodworth, in-laws Arthur and Joanne Helmer, Richard Helmer, Michael Helmer and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following:
• Mission 22 – Veteran foundation - https://mission22.com/ • Local VFW – Post 264, 1151 Mead Ave, Corry, PA 16407 • Hemochromatosis Information Society (HIS), 20521 Addenbrook Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.
Arrangements are under the care of Bracken Funeral Home, Inc., 315 N. Center St, Corry, PA 16407.
To sign the guest book or send condolences, please visit www.brackenfh.com.