Sneak Peek: Coney Island Brewing Company Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting [Photos]
The much-anticipated Coney Island Brewing Company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday — and it went down in true Coney Island fashion.
During the elaborate shindig, which featured stilt walkers, sword swallowers, and snake charmers, attendees were able to preview some of the company’s exciting new beer flavors and take a tour of the facility.
“We are grateful for the support of some of New York’s finest, who joined us to unveil the new Coney Island Brewery,” said Chris Adams, master of ceremonies for Coney Island Brewing Company. “We are thrilled to have a physical space in the heart of Coney to brew, drink and share new beers and toast to all of the fun and revelry that Coney Island has to offer.”
Many are hoping the beer maker, which is owned by a subsidiary of Boston Beer Company, maker of Sam Adams, will help revitalize the Coney Island community, which was hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy.
“We hope to bring a lot of fun exciting events, great beer, and we hope drive people out of the rest of the borough of Brooklyn and the rest of new york city and the rest of the state of new york out to Coney Island, to really invigorate the financial community here,” said Adams.
After Hurricane Sandy wiped out Coney Island’s original brewery, which locals fondly referred to as the “World’s Smallest Brewery,” it was important for the company to reopen in the place that started it all, and to capture the spirit, flavor and romance that is Coney Island, said Adams.
So far the brewery has created 10 jobs, but Adams said he expects the company to grow quickly and create more opportunities for local residents.
Is the company worried about competing with Peggy O’ Neill’s Bar next door? Not at all, according to Adams: The brewing company will supply the booze, while Peggy’s will handle the food.
All eight beers served will be brewed on-site, and guests can enjoy their suds inside the intimate 1,500-square foot space, or outside in the beer garden that faces Surf Avenue.
Craft beer enthusiasts can look forward to the brewery’s upcoming Freaktoberfest, a complex “copper infused pumpkin and espresso ale,” the classic Mermaid Pilsner, and the company’s vanilla- and licorice-infused hard root beer, among others.
The ceremony concluded with a few words from Deputy Borough President for Brooklyn Diana Reyna and New York Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte in support of the exciting business venture, followed by the cutting of the ribbon.
The crowd was tickled when one freak show performer offered to “sharpen” the scissors for Adams, swallowing it like a sword and spitting it back out.
Coney Island Brewing Company opens to the public Labor Day weekend at 1904 Surf Avenue.
