More Troubles For Empire Brewing

Established in 1994, Empire Brewing was one of the first craft beer operations to flourish in Western, NY. But in August Empire Farm Brewery declared bankruptcy and now it’s brewpub in downtown Syracuse has abruptly closed…

Here’s what we know…

When one thinks of craft brewing in Western New York, Empire Brewing’s owner David Katleski immediately comes to mind…One of region’s original craft beer champions Katleski has been credited (along with the New York State Brewers Association) for his advocacy of farm brewery license initiative that that Governor Cuomo signed into law in 2012.

That legislation designated that in order to receive a farm brewery license, at least 20% of the hops and 20% of all other ingredients used by farm breweries must be grown or produced in New York State.

And its passage led to an explosion of new breweries throughout New York Stale including Katleski’s own Empire Farm Brewery just south of Cazenovia, NY, which opened in 2016 and is now in bankruptcy proceedings…

Located on 22 acres of farmland, which in addition to growing hops also produced lavender, vegetables, herbs, and fruits, the brewery was an ambitious effort to begin with.  Developed for educational and beer production purposes it features 60 barrel automated brewhouse to support Empire’s regional, national and international distribution needs.

Unfortunately Western New York is a less traveled part of the state and winter’s not all that hospitable. And maybe that played a part in the beer destination never becoming the destination that was hoped for. Certainly a yeast problems which infected its beers in 2016 didn’t help. Nor did increased competition from a growing number of smaller brewers fighting for retail space.

Faced with more than $10 million in debts, the Empire Farm Brewery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August and is seeking to sell much of its property and assets in order to reorganize and stay open.

And if that wasn’t enough, Syracuse.com is reporting that the entrance to Empire’s much smaller brewpub in downtown Syracuse was padlocked shut this week due to unpaid rent.

Katleski owns both breweries and although they operate as separate companies the latest closing only adds to what has to be troubling times for Empire Brewing…