Introducing New York City's New Craft Brewery

What do you get when you cross a beer-loving brewery consultant with a dedicated brewer? New York City's latest craft brewery.

The Bronx Brewery released its first brew, the Bronx Pale Ale, earlier last fall after more than a year of testing and development by brewery partners Chris Gallant, Damian Brown, Steve O'Sullivan, and Kirk Voltz. The brewery, located in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, is the second brewery to open in the borough in recent months.

 

City Spoonful: Why did you want to create another brewery in New York City?

Gallant: I love beer. I love New York City. New York City didn't have enough good breweries. It turns out there were some other guys that thought the same thing, and from there it was just putting the pieces together.

 

Why did you decide to open your brewery in the South Bronx?

We chose the South Bronx for a few reasons: It has an abundance of warehouse space for a good price; it's perfect for distribution, allowing easy access to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Westchester, and New Jersey; it's an easy commute for people coming from other parts of the city; [and] we love the energy of the area and are excited to be part of a community focused on revitalization!

One of our founders, Steve O'Sullivan, grew up in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx and is a huge Bronx supporter. Steve was the first person to recognize the potential of bringing brewing back to the Bronx. He developed the concept, formally established the company, and pulled the right team together.

 

What sets your brewery apart from other breweries, such as the Brooklyn Brewery?

We have established a brewery in a borough and a city that continue to be very underserved, from a brewery standpoint, yet consistently consume and show tremendous support for locally produced goods.

Our company is all about the Bronx, from product concepts to our plans for locally sourcing raw materials, even committing [to giving] a portion of profits back to the local community. We think that is something that will resonate with craft-beer drinkers.

We're small — very small. The Bronx Brewery is just a handful of guys that love beer trying to put the best possible product out there. We manage and oversee every aspect of the process.

 

What have been some of the challenges you've faced?

The first challenge we faced was raising enough capital to get the company off the ground. We met with more than 100 potential investors. Unfortunately, most people were unwilling to invest in a brewery without a track record of sales. In the end, our initial investors — the ones who really took a chance on us — were all friends and family. And for that we are forever grateful.

Another was getting the recipe right. We had an idea of what we wanted but spent nearly a year getting it exactly right — tweaking ingredients, making small changes to the brewing process, etc. It was a long process, but the end product was worth it.

 

What has been the most rewarding part of the experience?

Without a doubt, [the best part is] seeing the Bronx Pale Ale for sale throughout the city. Being able to walk into a bar and order "a Bronx" is a very gratifying experience after all the work.

 

What are your goals for the future of the brewery?

Right now, we're focused on getting the Bronx Pale Ale into the hands of as many New Yorkers as possible. Next year, we have plans to introduce a second and potentially a third beer.

Geographic expansion is also on our radar. Right now it's tough to go beyond New York City because there are only two of us [working] full-time to make, sell, and distribute the beer. Next year, we'll look to hire some sales and delivery employees and expand into other parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Our ultimate goal is to open our own flagship brewery in the Bronx. For now, we've partnered with another brewery and are using their facility to brew the Bronx Pale Ale.

 

Why do you believe craft brewing has become so popular in New York City?

People are becoming more conscious of what they consume — not just in beer but in all food and beverage products. And increasingly, craft beer is made from whole ingredients, by hand, locally.

People are [also] starting to venture out from their standby beer to explore the world of craft beer. And there's something for everyone — from pilsners to pale ales to porters to sours. The tastes and styles vary greatly and most people find something they really like.

 

What are some of your favorite craft beers?

The list is long, but usually when I drink a beer I go for something that fits the time and place — that is, a hot summer day versus a cold winter night. [I look for] something new and interesting [and], most of all, something local.

Right now, I find myself drinking a lot of Sixpoint Righteous [Ale], Captain Lawrence Fresh Chester [Pale Ale], Blue Point Toasted Lager, and Southern Tier's new BPA [Belgian Pale Ale], 5 Boroughs.

 

— Clare Trapasso, City Spoonful