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A craft brewery is in the works for Lindenhurst.
And the founders couldn’t be more excited to open the new venture in their hometown.
“We couldn’t think of a better place to open our brewery than in Lindenhurst,” said 28-year-old Ryan Cooke, who is opening 27A Brewing Company with his fiancée Melissa Bates, 27.
Lindenhurst holds a special place in their hearts, especially since the two began dating back at Lindenhurst High School nearly 10 years ago.
“We have grown up here, we went to school here, we fell in love here, and are growing as adults here,” wrote Bates on Facebook.
Now, the couple wants to be a part of the village’s revitalization.
“There is so much going on [in Lindenhurst] now,” said Cooke, pointing to other new businesses such as Restoration Kitchen and Cocktails that opened nearby.
Cooke and Bates are looking to continue the area’s improvements by taking over 173 North Wellwood Avenue, a former bike shop that has been vacant for over a decade.
And the soon-to-be-married team has plenty of beer crafting in their background, too.
Cooke began home brewing in his mom’s house around five years ago.
“I would make batches all the time,” he said. “I used to bring the kegs to parties; it was awesome.”
He later went onto brewing professionally at Greenpoint Brewery in Brooklyn while working for a mobile beer-canning company called Iron Heart.
“I’ve been to almost every brewery in the entire Tri-State area canning their beers,” said Cooke.
After perfecting his craft, the idea for 27A Brewing Company was born.
“Years ago, the 40s and 50s, there were some big breweries on Montauk Highway,” said Cooke. “Now, me and other breweries are converging on the [Long Island] scene to have a space in all the downtowns.”
They’re hoping 27A Brewing Company, which will hold up to 40 people in its tasting room, will be in operation sometime this spring.
Top: Outside of the soon-to-be 27A Brewing Company. (Credit: Michael White)
