Prison City Pub and Brewery
Prison City Pub and Brewery is a full-service brewpub which opened its doors in 2014. Prison City houses a 5bbl brewhouse, which it uses to churn out its selection of craft beers. Over 20 beers are offered at Prison City Pub and Brewery anytime you visit, including its guest taps. Non-beer drinkers can choose from the brewpub’s offering of cider, wines, and cocktails. Domestic brands of beer are also sold here. Prison City Pub and Brewery serves food to its customers via the in-house restaurant. Expect items from local cuisine or your regular pub fare.
Prison City’s success has encouraged the team to expand forward and start operations from a second address. A 14,000 square feet brewery is scheduled to open on 25 North Street in August 2020, with an outdoor courtyard and live event space, besides the tasting room. Food trucks will serve food to customers visiting the Prison City Pub and Brewery on North Street.
Meet the Owners
Prison City Pub and Brewing was dreamed up by Dan and March Schulz, as far back as in 2001. In the time that they took to finally begin operations in 2014, they came across home-brewer Dane Maeso, whose refreshing IPAs and fruit sours earned him a place in the Prison City Pub and Brewing team. The Schulz decided brewing small handcrafted batches of beers like the ones brewed by Maeso was exactly what they’d like their own brewery to offer customers with. The founders also settled on opening a kitchen to offer a lunch/dinner menu to visiting customers. Customers could then order food prepared using local ingredients and the utmost care to pair with Prison City’s artisanal cold brews.
The Beer
Prison City Pub and Brewing is an award-winning brewpub in New York, which continues to win itself accolades across various beer festivals held in the country over the year. Beers by the NY brewpub which have already won fame and recognition are:
- Bleek Worden – Belgian Pale Ale
- Run Like an Apricot – Sour Apricot
- Mass Riot IPA – New England Style IPA
- Straight Outta Locash – Porter
- Copper John – Ordinary Bitter
- Udderly S’mooove – BBL Aged Milk Stout
- Guavatanamo Bay – Fruit Sour
- Wham Whams Imperial Stout – Imperial Stout with vanilla bean and toasted coconut
- Illusion of Knowledge – Pale Ale
- Laser Brain – Mixed Fermentation Sour
Pick Up Merch
Prison City Pub and Brewery sells its own line of merchandise online from their webpage. Visit their online store to pick up branded Prison City Pub and Brewery apparel, glassware, and other accessories. You can also invest in gift certificates to share the Prison City Pub and Brewery experience with your near and dear ones.
The Auburn brewery also runs a Mug Club membership program, offered to customers in exchange for a humble annual charge. Besides displaying your mug shot on their brewery wall, it also extends other benefits, like free beer on your birthday, discounts on retail items every now and then, and early notice for limited stock bottle releases, tasting events, and invite-only Prison City Pub and Brewery parties. You can buy yourself a membership or gift it to your friend/family.
Things to Know Before Visiting
When you visit this New York brewery, you do not need to worry about hunger cravings. Prison City Pub and Brewery offers an in-house full-service restaurant with tabled seating that can accommodate up to 70 people.
Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted within the premises, as this is also a restaurant besides being a brewery. You can, however, bring your kids along – unruly or not. Prison City Pub and Brewery offers high chairs, booster seats, a kid’s special menu, and even Legos to its mini visitors.
There is ample parking available in the form of street parking when you visit. You will also find a parking lot and parking garages nearby, if you struggle with finding a spot right outside the brewpub.
If you’d like to take a brewery tour, you will have to wait until the North Street brewing facility opens. The brewpub does not offer any brewery tours.
If you wish to drop by with a group exceeding six people, you are requested to make prior reservations. You can also rent the brewery to host your private events. If you wish to buy yourself a keg from Prison City Pub and Brewery, you’ll have to let the team know beforehand. Kegs are made available on a limited-stock basis.
Prison City Pub and Brewery does not distribute its beers yet, so visiting the brewpub is the only way you can sample their craft beers. If you are strapped for time and would like to come pick up some beer, you can do so. Crowler fills are most welcome.
However, if you do drive down with some time to spare, experience the ten-seater outdoor space the brewpub makes available.
The Customers Speak
Auburn used to be home to several bottling plants in the late 19th century. Husband and wife duo, Dawn and March, have tried to pay homage to the location’s rich brewing history via their brewpub. If you’d like to visit a gastropub where you can relax and unwind with friends and family in a cozy and rustic ambiance, Prison City Pub and Brewery will appeal to you. The high-quality small batch craft brews pair wonderfully with the brewpub’s gourmet burgers, snacks, and sandwiches. The New York brewpub has been steadily gaining acclaim in the brewing scene in New York – and with good reason. The fruit sours and hazy IPAs on the menu here are unparalleled, for the most part. It’s family-friendly, with outdoor seating availability where you can soak in the sun during the summer months, so you have to visit Prison City Pub and Brewery if you’re a resident of Auburn or a passing visitor. The brewery will make you feel welcome all the same.
Prison City Pub and Brewing currently has two listed locations:
- Prison City Pub and Brewery: 28 State Street, Auburn, NY
- Prison City Brewing: 251 North Street, Auburn, NY
Any further questions about the brewery can be addressed directly to Prison City Pub and Brewery at 315-604-1277. Similarly, you could also take a look at the brewpub’s official website before finalizing your visit.
