USA, NY: Young Lion Brewing Co. sells its brewing facility and taproom to Other Half Brewing Co.

Young Lion Brewing Co. has sold its brewing facility and taproom on Canandaigua Lake to Other Half Brewing Co, WROC reported on November 15.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the parties expect the transaction to close in January 2024, according to Jennifer Newman, CEO of the Canandaigua company. Young Lion, which is located in the Pinnacle North development on Lakeshore Drive, has retained ownership of the brand and is exploring creative solutions for its exciting future, Newman said.

This is the fourth company Newman, who earlier this year received the Minority or Woman Owned Business of the Year from the Ontario County Chamber of Commerce, has helped start and been part of its sale.

"It's always hard to let go of something you put so much time, energy and passion into," Newman said in a text. "But this is the right decision for Young Lion's location and its team."

Founded in 2017, Young Lion, which is a woman-owned and managed brewery, intends to continue its operations until the deal closes, during which time current ownership and management plan to have special events for its friends and customers. For instance, Young Lion is part of a Black Friday pub crawl event next week and annual keg-tree holiday lighting ceremony, which several Canandaigua breweries also participate in, in early December.

This marks the establishment of Other Half Brewing's eighth taproom location and second in the Finger Lakes region — the other is in East Bloomfield. The Brooklyn-based craft beer maker opened in 2019 at the former Nedloh’s site on state Routes 5 and 20.

A spokesman for Other Half was not immediately available for comment.

In the statement, Newman expressed enthusiasm about the future of the space.

"It was important for us to see our facilities’ next occupant be a prestigious company such as Other Half Brewing," Newman stated. "We firmly believe they are the best steward for the community moving forward as they continue to build on the excitement Young Lion has fostered on Lakeshore Drive."

Denise Chaapel, manager of the Canandaigua Downtown Business Improvment District, said Newman and Young Lion have always been an incredible tourism partner with the BID, fellow breweries and a huge asset to the community.

"Her energy will be missed," Chaapel said.

Tood Reardon, owner of Peacemaker Brewing Co. in Canandaigua, said he is hopeful that Other Half continues the local camaraderie that his and other local breweries have had with Young Lion.

"We’ve always been a friend and a fan of Young Lion," Reardon said. "If it’s what’s best for them, we are happy for them." I hope Other Half continues the local camaraderie that we’ve had with Young Lion with the local breweries."

Canandaigua City Manager John Goodwin said it will be sad to lose Young Lion, but the city is not losing a business and not losing employees.

"We're not losing a brewery, we're gaining Other Half, which has a large following," Goodwin said. "Canandaigua has always been a large player in the craft brewing scene. We're definitely part of the greater Rochester craft beer destinations, which is one of the top in the world, on top of being in the heart of the Finger Lakes, which is one of the top wineries in the world, we have that niche draw for folks."

15 November, 2023