Empire Brewing Company

EMPIRE BREWING COMPANY, est. 1994, is an award-winning brewer of handcrafted ales and lagers in the heart of downtown Syracuse. We aspire to provide customers with the finest all-natural ingredients available by utilizing fresh locally sourced products from over sixty Central New York farmers. In 2007, Empire modified its business model to focus on sustainability. We define our business philosophy with the phrases “Eat Where You Live™” and “We Grow Beer™” and attempt to embody the practice “Be Excellent” in all facets of our business. The success gained after test marketing our beers in high profile establishments located throughout New York State led Empire to expand brewing operations to Brooklyn, NY, by forming a contract-brewing alliance with Greenpoint Beer Works. GPBW produced four styles of Empire’s beer in kegs which allowed the company to distribute throughout New York State. With the recent 60 bbl expansion however, production has been moved entirely back in-house. EMPIRE FARM BREWERY, est.2016, is the largest Farm Brewery on the East Coast. Over 22 acres were developed for educational and beer production purposes. Boasting a new 60 bbl automated brewhouse, the Empire Farm Brewery is producing kegs and bottles for regional, national and international distribution. Bottled lineup includes 3 time consecutive Great American Beer Fest gold medal winner; Skinny Atlas Light, White Aphro, Slo Mo’ IPA, East Coast Amber Ale, and World Beer Cup gold medal winner; Black Magic Stout. Located in Cazenovia, NY, the property also grows hops, lavender, vegetables, herbs, and fruits for use in the brewing process and to support the needs of Empire’s downtown brewpub. The agricultural component was designed in conjunction with Professor Matthew Potteiger and the graduate student body from the Department of Landscape Architecture, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The Empire Farm Brewery was the class project for ESF’s spring 2012 semester. START-UP NY launched in 2014 and offers new and expanding businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near eligible university or college campuses in New York State. To date, 172 businesses have already joined the program, representing commitments to create nearly 4,174 new jobs and invest more than $230 million throughout New York State. As the brewery’s academic sponsor for START-UP NY, SUNY Morrisville, which is proposing a new Bachelor degree in Food Technology, will work directly with the company to help manage the facility and educate students by providing first-hand practical business experience in production brewing.