Beginning on June 4th, breweries in parts of the New York state which entered Phase 2 of economic reopening were allowed to serve beer and food outdoors for on-site consumption for the first time since the stay-at-home orders were given in mid-March.
It’s still at reduced capacities and only offers a fraction of relief, but breweries who were able to pivot early on and who are looking at new ways to do business going forward are optimistic. .
“I think at first it looked like the end of the world for the industry,” Chris Spinelli, co-founder of Roc Brewing said in a Democrat and Chronicle article. “I think many breweries have found ways to pivot and cut costs and do what they do best. I think we will see a large number of breweries either close and not reopen or reopen and close shortly after, especially as this lingers. Some breweries will come out stronger on the other side. It will come down to being creative and flexible. This will pass and there will be a new normal. Make sure you are ready for it,” Spinelli said.
