Beloved Long Ireland Beer Company Set To Bid Adieu

RIVERHEAD, NY — The Long Ireland Beer Company says it has its own version of an old Irish proverb: "Closing leaves a heartache no one can heal. Beer and friendship leaves memories no one can steal."

The words preceded an announcement on social media that left hearts broken for miles on Long Island Saturday.

"Sadly, we are making this post to let all of our loyal Hooligans know that after almost 17 years in business, we will be closing our doors for good in just a few short weeks," the post on the Long Ireland Beer Company's Facebook page said. "We have worked endlessly these past years trying to stay afloat, trying to provide a fun an welcoming atmosphere, trying to brew consistently good beer. Even with all of our hard work and dedication — we have come to the reality that it just isn’t enough."

New Year's Eve, December 31, will be the last day for the brewery, the post said.

"From first dates to last calls, crazy 'Halfway' parties to after work beers, Long Ireland has always been more than a place to drink. It’s where we made so many real friends, so many awesome memories. The community that was created here is nothing short of incredible and we’re all so thankful for that," the post said. "Over the next couple of weeks we hope you’ll join us in the tasting room and help us say good-bye on a high note. We have a few fun events left, so If you’ve ever raised a pint with us, made a memory here, or felt like part of our extended beer-loving family — now’s the time to come by and see us."

The post added: "Dan, Kevin, Lisa, Tim, Kayleigh, Joe and I (Sheila) will all be at the brewery for different shifts and events over the next couple of weeks and we hope to see all our favorites through the doors. NYE will be our final hurrah as they say, and we plan to go out partying as only we can. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Long Ireland what it was. Long Live Long Ireland — always."

In May, the Long Island Beer Company turned to social media to try valiantly save its business.

The Long Ireland Beer Company, located in Riverhead, posted a message on its Facebook page in May: "We’re not crying into our beers — but we’re definitely staring into them a little longer these days."

The post continued: "After 16 years of brewing beer on Long Island, the cost of everything has gone up, from hops and grain, to aluminum cans and cups. Sales are down everywhere, expenses are up, and this economy is rougher than the day after Half Way hangover. We are struggling to survive, like so many businesses are, and our future isn’t guaranteed. Every day we see local breweries, restaurants and local businesses we love closing their doors — and we don’t want that to be our fate, too."

The Long Ireland Beer Company was founded in 2009 by Dan Burke and Greg Martin.

"We want nothing more than to keep making beer for you and throwing fun events that we’ve all come to love," the post said. "But we can’t do it alone. So here’s how you can help keep the taps flowing here at Long Ireland."

The brewery then listed tips to help the business survive.

The post went on to say: "The more you sip, the more we survive. Let’s keep this brewery alive, one beer at a time. We hope to see all of you soon! Long live Long Ireland."

Sheila Malone, the general manager at the brewery, told Patch in May that she wrote the post "because we definitely are struggling. And it always seems to be that businesses don’t let customers know that they’re hurting until they’re closing their doors — and nothing can be done to help. We’re hoping that this will maybe get a few people back through the doors."

Malone added: "We just celebrated the 16th anniversary of the brewery in March. For our whole team, this is, of course, our livelihoods, but it’s also a community we’ve built with so many local customers."

It was heartening, Malone said, to see so many posting messages of support on social media. "Our families and friends have all been so intertwined within this business — and we’re very proud of what we do."

The Long Ireland Beer Company is located at 817 Pulaski Street in Riverhead.