The Bronx Brewery: A Kaleidoscope of NYC and Craft Beer
The Bronx Brewery was established in 2011 by a small group of beer enthusiasts that wanted to celebrate the diverse flavors of NYC and its surrounding areas. They drew inspiration from the community’s diversity and artistic influence to create a unique kaleidoscope of NYC and craft beer.
It’s an eclectic brewery that strongly adheres to the slogan of “Community. Creativity. Inclusivity.”
They currently have two locations, with a third on the way to the Hudson Yards. You can find the original location in the South Bronx and a recently opened location in the East Village. Keep reading to learn more about what makes this brewery unique and the ways that it engages with the community.
The South Bronx Location
Let’s talk craft beer. After all, that’s why you’re here, isn’t it?
In a time of constant supply chain shortages, you will find no shortage of great craft beers here. The original location in the South Bronx is where the magic happens, and this facility holds the brewery where they masterfully create their craft beers.
If you want to dive into the world of craft brewing, this should be an essential near the top of your list of places to visit. They offer an interactive tasting experience inside what they’ve dubbed “The Lab.” The Lab holds up to 30 people and provides an inside look at the brewing process that curious beer lovers would enjoy. It also has TVs if you’re simply looking for a place to enjoy sports while enjoying an expertly crafted beer.
In addition to their indoor seating, they have a Backyard that holds up to 100 people, providing live music or events. They even have food options, so you don’t need to worry about where to find a snack when you’re only two beers in and your stomach starts growling.
The East Village Location
The Bronx Brewery Taproom and Kitchen in the East Village is the newest location, having opened two years ago in 2020. It combines a mixture of New York and Swedish culture that is responsible for the eclectic atmosphere in this location. They are even the first in the U.S. to offer the Swedish Burger brand, Bastard Burgers. Many of the murals you find painted on the walls here are artistic masterpieces created by local Bronx artists and Swedish artists.
If you’re a beer lover who enjoys challenging and testing your palate, this place will suit you quite well, as they also offer experimental and limited releases here.
“Community. Creativity. Inclusivity”
That’s the motto of The Bronx Brewery, and it is a place where everyone can feel welcome. In fact, they are so welcoming that they adopted a feline friend named Gasket. Gasket is an adorable kitty living his best life at The Bronx Brewery. If I am to be reincarnated, I can only hope I’m lucky enough to come back as a brewery cat like Gasket in my next life. You can find him on Instagram and follow his adventures at @gasketthebrewerycat.
Their staff does a great job of embodying this motto as well. If you ever feel overwhelmed by the vast options of craft beer or are simply looking to try something new, it is encouraged to reach out to one of the staff members for assistance (Shout out to Ariana if you see her!).
Since their mission focuses on involving the community, they find a variety of ways to do it.
One way they do this is by cleverly combining art and beer. This brewery works with local artists and organizations by allowing them to use their platform as an opportunity to showcase their talent by creating a design for a beer can once a month. They also entice customers to stop by and enjoy a brew by offering a beer of the month each month.
If you’re not a beer connoisseur and are just looking for some entertainment, they use their space for local artists to play live music or perform their entertainment craft, whatever that may be. There is always something new to try and experience here.