Though Queens has a reputation for being the most diverse place in the world the “World’s Borough” is also home to an eclectic mix of breweries.
From Belgian Ales to small-batch craft beer made with organic ingredients, there’s a brew for everyone in Queens. The majority of the breweries are located in Long Island City and Astoria where dedicated beer lovers work on their craft.
This summer is the perfect time to explore the borough’s breweries and take advantage of the indoor and outdoor taprooms. Take a look at six breweries that call Queens home:
53-02 11th St., Long Island City
This urban farmhouse brewery is the brainchild of Rob Kolb and Anthony Accardi. The friends first shared a beer in 2005 and years later, Kolb convinced his friend to put his old home brewing equipment to use. In 2014, Transmitter Brewery was born and the duo focuses on Belgian- and French-style Ales as well as fruited and barrel-aged beer.
Pick up a bottle to enjoy at their facility, which includes outdoor seating, or take one for the road. The brewery is open to the public on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
19-33 37th St., Astoria
Queens native Rich Buceta left his job in advertising to open SingleCut Beersmiths in 2012. Named after the body style of the guitar, Buceta’s love of music is apparent in his products, which are named after favorite musicians and songs. For example, there’s an IPA called “Is This The Real Life?” inspired by Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and a chocolate milk stout called “Eric! More Cow Bell” after the famous Saturday Night Live Sketch.
According to General Manager Dan Bronson, the brewery is “dedicated to making fresh lagers and hop-forward beers, and playing our music as loud as we wanted (take that, Mom!).”
“Owner/Brewmaster Rich Buceta is a music and hop-obsessed mad man, taking inspiration from classic west coast IPA, traditional Bavarian lagering techniques, and Black Sabbath in equal doses,” he added.
The taproom is open on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to midnight, Thursdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to midnight and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.
808 43rd Rd., Long Island City
Founders Kyle Hurst and Scott Berger opened the nano-brewery in 2013, where they make small batches of craft beer. Big aLICe Brewing is also a New York State Farm Brewery, meaning that they are required to use a percentage of locally sourced ingredients to create beers. Hurst and Berger partnered with local food co-ops and Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) to use fresh, organic ingredients to create seasonal beers.
Beer lovers can opt into their Community Supported Brew brew program and for $200 a month, members will get to pick up each month two specialty beers that aren’t available to the general public. There’s also taproom discounts and specialty merchandise. Each membership has a six-month period.
The taproom is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
45-13 34th Ave., Long Island City
By Estelle Pyper
Long Island City’s local ICONYC Brewing Company opened a new taproom on May 5 at 45-13 34th Ave., not too far from their main brewing facility. Their popular original beers, “High Ryse” and “Vexed,” and some newer craft brews like the berry-flavored “Proper Burial” are on tap.
Fully owned and operated by ICONYC’s three founders and childhood friends, Sam Bosrok, Bruno Daddi and Laszlo Fodor, the new space is the perfect place to grab a beer and relax at the end of a long day.
The founders opened their brewery four years ago, fulfilling a longtime dream. Fodor remembers Bosrok, the head brewer, brewing beer in his basement in Long Island City as a kid.
“It kind of became all our passions,” Fodor recalled. “We were always talking about running a brewery someday and then once he came back from the West Coast [after attending Oregon State University], we were like, ‘Let’s do it.’ We all saved up our life savings and went into it.”
The taproom is open on Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
46-01 5th St., Long Island City
Marcus Burnett and Ethan Long started brewing beer in their Rockaway backyard and in 2012 opened Rockaway Brewing Co. in Long Island City. The duo recently went back to their roots to open a second taproom in Rockaway, so patrons can sip on brews while looking out at the ocean.
Rockaway ESB, their flagship brew that is described as “malty and sweet,” the Black Gold, an Irish stout and 1875 Pale Ale, with notes of grapefruit and tangerine are always served along with a rotation of special brews. Visit the Rockaway location at 415 Beach 72nd St.
39-28 23rd St., Long Island City
Founded by Daniel Acosta in July 2015, LIC Beer Project was inspired by Acosta’s trip to Belgium. The former project manager decided to make a career switch and become a full-time brewer and business owner. LIC Beer Project specializes in hoppy, experimental beers that are influenced by beer that Acosta tried on his trip to Europe.
They also distribute their products to every borough, Westchester and Putnam Counties, Albany and Nyack. Their taproom is open Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Editor’s note: An earlier version included erroneous information about Big aLICe Brewing’s Community Supported Brewing program. It has since been corrected with the accurate information. We regret any confusion which may have resulted.
