9. Industry City is home to New York City’s first sake brewery and taproom
In 2018, Industry City became host to Brooklyn Kura, New York City’s first sake brewery and taproom. Founders Brian Polen and Brandon Doughan joined forces to open Brooklyn Kura after traveling to Japan and apprenticing at breweries where they developed their own unique recipes. Building on more than 1,000 years of Japanese brewing history, Brooklyn Kura works to make sake more accessible while also giving it a uniquely American twist that still respects its origins.
Brooklyn Kura’s craft sake, Junmai, is made entirely from American ingredients such as American-grown rice from California and Arkansas, New York City tap water, koji, and yeast. At Brooklyn Kura’s tap room, special sakes available only on-site can be purchased. A few years after opening in 2021, the brewery entered into a partnership with the Niigata-based Hakkaisan Brewery, one of the most respected in Japan. Brooklyn Kura also has a membership program where monthly subscribers can receive one bottle of the company’s limited release sakes and one bottle of its classic namazake for $65. Besides the alcoholic beverages served, Brooklyn Kura customers can also enjoy bar snacks like toasted nori, cheese plates, and charcuterie boards.
