After brewing for years, a Bayside local’s new business gives residents a chance to toast their hometown with its very own beer.
Anthony LoSardo first hatched the idea to found the Bayside Brewery in 2012. Shortly thereafter, he left his union job to learn how to become a businessman and brewmaster.
“All I know is Bayside,” the 28-year-old said. “Honestly, I always wanted to own my own business.”
The Bayside native trademarked the name, invested in commercial-grade equipment and got to brewing. Since then, he hasn’t looked back.
“Considering all the craft beer that’s been booming since the early 2000s … I just fell in love with [the idea],” he said.
It took about two years before LoSardo was able to brew a product he was proud enough of to give his stamp of approval. From there, he began to plan for the business’s launch.
LoSardo approached Long Island University staff to help him build a business plan and learn how to market the product. He also launched a successful Kickstarter campaign, where he raised thousands of dollars to bring the plan to fruition.
This year, LoSardo and his team officially took their brew, Bayside Ale, to market. They held an official launch for Bayside Brewery at local watering hole Bourbon Street on Superbowl Sunday.
The launch was a great success, LoSardo said. The business owner was able to engage with the community and introduce them to the new product. In the spirit of the holiday, he even used a T-shirt cannon to shoot giveaways onto the eatery’s rooftop bar.
“We’re in the beer business, so we like fun,” LoSardo said. “All the Bayside natives that were there had a chance to try [the ale] and they responded great to it.”
Locals can find Bayside Ale on tap now at locations including Bourbon Street, Outback Steakhouse at the Bay Terrace Shopping Center, LongHorn Steakhouse in Elmhurst and Patsy’s Pizzeria in Whitestone.
Currently, the brew is only available for take-home purchase in kegs from certain area beer distributors. LoSardo plans to look into bottling in the coming months.
Keep up with Bayside Brewery’s latest updates on their active website, Facebook and Instagram.
“People tend to drink local, but also tend to buy what they come to like,” LoSardo said. “We try to really make people really feel like they’re part of the brewery process.”
