Brewery Turns To Social Media To Save Business: 'We Can't Do It Alone'

RIVERHEAD, NY — One Long Island brewery has taken to social media to save its business.

The Long Ireland Beer Company, located in Riverhead, posted a message on its Facebook page Monday: "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."

Tips included:

• "Stop in with friends and knock back a few pints. We’re open seven days a week!"
• "Stock up on cans, or grab a keg and be the hero of your next barbecue."
• "Ask for us at your local beer store or distributor. We are now self distributed!"
• "Put us on tap if you own a bar or restaurant (we pair well with profits and local beer is always a good look!"
• "Host your club or group in our tasting room— our brew house or beer garden make a unique location for your outing!"

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 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's been 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.