Rebel Sailor Brewing to Close February 28
Rebel Sailor Brewing Company in Shortsville will close its doors on February 28 after three years in business. The brewery timed its final day to coincide with its third anniversary and plans to host a celebration on February 27 and 28.
Owner Robert Payne opened Rebel Sailor in 2023 after 12 years of homebrewing. He built the 3.5 barrel brew house in a former Mark's Pizzeria on Route 21 and ran it alongside his day job in Victor. The brewery was beloved by visitors for it delicious food and creative beers.
In an Instagram post the brewery thanked its supporters. "There aren't words out there to express the gratitude we have for everyone who's supported us and all of the friends we've made along the way," the post read. "This isn't a goodbye forever, it's a see you in a while."
Stop in to this northwest FLX gem before the end of the month. Their Reindeer P, a blonde ale with a touch of local honey sounds like just the treat for these bitter cold days. Thank you Robert and the whole crew at Rebel Sailor for pouring some delicious FLX beers!
War Horse Crunch IPA Available at Syracuse Arena
Photo courtesy of Three Brothers Winery
War Horse Brewing Company and the Syracuse Crunch are continuing their collaboration beer for the 2025 to 2026 AHL season. War Horse Crunch is a New England Style IPA available on tap at the Upstate Medical University Arena during home games and in cans at Syracuse area Wegmans stores.
War Horse is the brewery arm of Three Brothers Wineries and Estates in Geneva and the Crunch are the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"Hockey and a great craft beer go hand in hand and we couldn't be happier to partner with the Syracuse Crunch," said Katharine Warner, marketing director at Three Brothers. Crunch COO Jim Sarosy called the collaboration "the flavor of the season."
Two Producers Add Canning Equipment
Grist Iron Brewing Company in Burdett has added a labeler to its canning line. The brewery said the upgrade allows for more flexibility and a wider variety of beers while also lowering prices. The brewery capped their announcement with new specials, six packs now start at $12 with additional discounts for purchases of 2 and 4.
Grist Iron opened in 2015 overlooking Seneca Lake about six miles north of Watkins Glen. The brewery also operates The Lodge at Grist Iron for overnight guests.
In Auburn, Combgrown Mead announced that a new canning machine has arrived at the meadery. Owner Elaine Ferrier teased that the equipment means "more cans, more flavors, coming soon." The new machine appears to be a Microbottler from New York manufacturer DK Advanced Technologies.
Combgrown opened in July 2023 as Auburn's first meadery. Ferrier specializes in low ABV session meads made with 100% local FLX honey. The meadery was named Cayuga County Small Business of the Year in 2024.
The mead scene is small but growing in the FLX and Combgrown is leading the way. We're excited to see what's next for this Auburn hive to glass producer. One for the wine lovers, the Mulled Mead, a cabernet franc mead mulled with cinnamon, clove, allspice and orange peel is on tap now at the Auburn meadery.
Other Half Celebrates 12 Years
Other Half Brewing marked its 12th anniversary with a week of releases at its FLX taprooms in Bloomfield and Canandaigua. The Brooklyn based brewery dropped several barrel aged imperial stouts including BA Gourmand (18–29 months) aged with vanilla, black truffles and caviar along with BA Bananaversary (30 months) and BA Bananaverse (24–38 months) featuring wild Thai banana, coconut and macadamia nuts.
New Releases
Several notable bottles hit shelves this week.
-
Lucky Hare Brewing in Hector released Fleur de Wooder, a collaboration with Forge Wine Cellars. The pilsner was aged on Riesling lees with dried chamomile and linden flowers. Bottles are $18 at both Lucky Hare locations.
-
Aurora Brewing Company debuted Nelson Bliss, a hazy IPA made with Freestyle Hops using an experimental lot of Nelson Sauvin. The brewery showcased it at the NYS Craft Beer Brewfest in Albany, where we understand it generated significant buzz, and likely a few buzzes.
-
NO BS Brew Company in Canandaigua marked its seventh anniversary with a bourbon barrel aged Coconut Vanilla Imperial Porter aged over 12 months. Limited bottles and draft available.
-
DeWolf Brewing Company in Victor released Zlatý, a 4.8 percent Czech style pilsner. The brewery describes it as clean, crisp and biscuity with a snappy finish. Na zdraví!