BY: ERIK BUDRAKEY
Suddenly trips from the Capital Region to the New York City beer scene just got a bit more interesting!
I’ve always enjoyed traveling down to New York City. The beer scene is strong and the trip always gives me an excuse to swing by Keegan Ales for a bite and a brew or to stop by Captain Lawrence to try the latest offering in their taproom. Now it appears the road trip is going to get even better!
Last week, Brooklyn Brewery announced that they will be opening a second brewing facility in Brooklyn (see full article here). The new brewery, which is slated to open in 2018, will call the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard their new home. More specifically, the new brewing facility will be located in the newly renovated Building 77. This building is conveniently located next to the brewery’s Barrel Aging Facility, which is housed in Building 269. Most exciting is the news that Brooklyn will be opening a massive beer garden on the rooftop of the facility. When Steve Hindy opened Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg back in 1987, I wonder if he ever imagined that… his brewery with a divine view of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline.
Craft beer fans will be able to take a tour of the brewery from a walkway that will run above the brew house. Then they can step into an elevator and out to a beautiful beer garden on the roof of the sixteenth floor. From there, they will be able to see the Manhattan skyline and all of Brooklyn. It will be the perfect environment for a beer lover to sip a fresh-crafted beer, while enjoying the ambiance of New York City wrapped up in the charm of Brooklyn Brewery.
The Brewery also announced that they will be moving their offices from their current location to the ninth floor of the building. It’s a big moment for Brooklyn Brewery as they flex and show that they are not only here to stay, but they are doubling down with a monumental investment into the city whose name they bare on their label.
Not to worry if you’re a fan of their current brew house located on North 11th Street in Williamsburg. They will still be a brewing beer there and their Tasting Room will continue to host tours, events and samplings. But now you get to choose – Tasting Room, new brewhouse or rooftop beer garden? Rumor has it that Brooklyn is still planning to expand their brewing operations to Staten Island. We expect to hear updated details on that in the coming months.
So get ready for a road trip, Capital Region beer fans! We’re heading to Brooklyn.
For more information see Got Beer.com
Erik Budrakey
Erik Budrakey has seen it all. His career path has been focused around drinking. Be jealous. Budrakey has worked as a Home Brewer, Brewing Instructor, Brew Pub Manager, Salesman, and Craft Beer Marketing Manager. Traveling to breweries and drinking their beer is his specialty. When he’s not indulging in the finest ales, he can be seen playing ice hockey, talking beer on the radio and straight up hangin’ with his wife and kids.