Empire Brewing Company creates another edition of Congress beer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — Nearly a year after Willow Rock Brewing Company and the Onondaga Historical Association teamed up for the comeback of Congress beer, another brewery is coming out with its own version.

Empire Brewing Company is making a batch directly with the current Haberle Congress Company, made up of the children and grandchildren of the last owner, when Haberle was Syracuse’s longest-running brewery.

The brewery opened in 1857 and survived prohibition before closing in 1962.

It’s a tradition the family is excited to have back in business.

“Both my mom and my uncle want to continue on their dad’s work and his dad’s work and his dad’s work. It’s been this family thing for over a hundred years. So it’s really their passion and we’re happy to have Empire as a partner that can really help launch this and make it something real rather than just a beer we’re brewing out of our kitchen,” said Patrick Hunt, Marketing Director for Haberle Brewing Company.

This version will be available at several spots around Central New York, including the Syracuse Cooperative Market in the Westcott Neighborhood, both Empire Brewing Company locations and the B’Ville Smoke Shop.

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