Rockaway Brewing Company
LONG ISLAND CITY — Something new is on tap at Rockaway Brewing Company.
The suds smiths launched a Kickstarter campaign last week to help them raise funds to start selling their locally-made brews, which are currently available on tap or by the growler, in cans.
Owners Marcus Burnett and Ethan Long, who opened the Long Island City microbrewery in 2012 after several years of homebrewing in the backyards of their Far Rockaway bungalows, are hoping to raise $30,000 towards the purchase of canning equipment.
“The canning line was sort of like the obvious choice for us to put our beer into a new vessel,” said Burnett, who says canned beer stays fresher because they block out light. “A can is just the freshest way to get it to people.”
As part of the fundraiser, the brewery is offering rewards to beer lovers who donate to the campaign, including Rockaway Brewing swag such as coasters, bottle openers and pint glasses. Larger monetary pledges can earn you an invite to a backers-only party at the brewery or a private two-hour tour of the space.
Since opening two years ago, the small-scale brewery has expanded in recent months, after the owners invested in a five-barrel brewing system which lets them produce about 30 kegs a week, triple the amount they were making previously.
Their beers are sold on tap at bars and restaurants around the city as well as at their growler room at 46-01 5th St. in Long Island City, which is open Thursdays through Sundays.
If they reach their Kickstarter goal, Burnett said they plan to start producing four packs of 16 oz. cans of their original Rockaway ESB, an English-style ale that’s amber in color.
They would sell the cans to bars and restaurants that don’t have tap lines, and would also offer them for sale at the brewery.
“It just allows us to reach a wider market, and keep the beer in different ways and keep it fresh,” Burnett said.
