USA, NY: Water Street Brewing Co. about to shut down

More than a decade after it launched operations, Binghamton's oldest brewpub is about to shut down, WNBF reported on January 22.

Kristin Andrascik, owner of Water Street Brewing Co., said the business will be closing soon.

Water Street Brewing was launched by John and Michele Bleichert in 2011. Andrascik, who was a long-time employee, acquired the business in 2019.

Loyal customers filtered into the brewpub at 168 Water Street on Monday and learned that the place would soon become history.

Andrascik told WNBF News that the move to close had been in the works for quite a while. Business was down last year, especially during the summer when many of Water Street Brewing's patrons are busy with other activities.

She had been hoping business would start to pick up in the fall but that didn't happen. She noted the ongoing parking problems since the demolition of the old Water Street garage were a factor in the downturn.

Andrascik made the tough decision to close the brewpub in recent days as it became clear the business was no longer sustainable.

Andrascik said the last beer has been brewed at Water Street - Golden Goat, a double New England-style IPA. It will be released on Wednesday.

An official closing date for Water Street Brewing Co. has not been determined. Andrascik said it will be open for a few more days but it will shut down for good by the end of the month.

Galaxy Brewing Company opened a brewpub on Court Street - just around the corner from Water Street Brewing - in August 2013. Galaxy brewed its last beer in the summer of 2020, closing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

24 January, 2024