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                                  EXHIBIT 10-18
                                  -------------


January 8, 2001



Charles S. Wehle
Chairman, Genesee Corporation
136 Sylvania Drive
Rochester, NY  14618

Dear Chip:

This letter will outline the terms of an agreement between myself and Genesee
Corporation in my capacity as an elected officer of the Corporation.

1.       Title - President. In this capacity I will oversee the execution of the
         strategic plan for liquidation of the corporation's assets and
         distribution of the proceeds to the shareholders, as approved by the
         board of directors, or as modified from time to time by board action.

         I will regularly review and monitor the progress being made and will
         coordinate the activities of the Chief Administrative Officer and Vice
         President-Treasurer, as needed. I will serve as an interface between
         the Corporation and the management of High Falls Brewing and will
         manage the relationship between Genesee Corporation and High Falls
         Brewing under the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.

2.       Term - The date of this engagement shall begin December 15, 2000 and
         may be terminated by either party upon 30 days written notice. It is
         anticipated that approximately 400 hours will be required to perform
         these duties during calendar year 2001.


3.       Compensation - $5,000 per month. It is also understood that I will not
         receive fees for attending directors meetings, committee meetings, or
         the directors retainer fee.

4.       Location of Business - It is understood that the offices of the Genesee
         Corporation will be relocated to 600 Powers Building, Rochester, NY, no
         later than March 31, 2001. This relocation will facilitate the direct
         communicate between the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Vice
         President-Treasurer, and myself.

Chip, if these terms meet the satisfaction of yourself and the Board of
Directors, I will be pleased to serve in the above-defined capacity for the
benefit of the shareholders.

Yours very truly,

/s/ Stephen B. Ashley

Stephen B. Ashley

SBA:mmg