Cicero, N.Y. — An unusual craft brewery located in a greenhouse that grew its own hops year-round is closing in August after five years in business. The 35-year-old greenhouse / garden center is closing too.
Hot House Brewing at Barone Gardens announced it closing on Facebook Tuesday morning, citing the owners’ decision to retire. The news was posted on the pages related to both the brewery and the greenhouse.
Barone Gardens greenhouse and garden center, operated by John Barone, has been in business at 6200 South Bay Road for 35 years. It began as Barone Farm and Feed in 1989. The Hot House Brewing side of the business opened in April 2019 and later opened a bistro in its tasting room.
The brewery was among the first in New York to grow hops year-round in its own greenhouse.
“We’re probably the first brewery in New York to have wet-hopped beer (made with fresh hops) in March,” brewer Paul Richer, a partner in the brewery with John Barone and his wife, Merry Beth, said at the time of the opening. Tim Parkhurst is also a partner.
The closing is set for Aug. 17.
“It is with immense gratitude that we announce our retirement, culminating 35 years of dedication and growth,” the Facebook announcement said. “We invite you to celebrate our journey and make the most of your gift certificates before our closure on August 17, 2024. From humble beginnings as Barone Farm and Feed in 1989, we have evolved into Hot House Brewing at Barone Gardens – a testament to our resilience and adaptability. We have embraced change, transforming our retail business into a thriving greenhouse, brewery and bistro. As we retire, we extend our sincerest appreciation to our patrons and staff for their unwavering support and friendship. We look forward to the next chapter in our journey.”
John Barone said today it’s “time to ride off into the sunset.” Much of the greenhouse space was sold a few years ago, and the rest of the property will now be put up for sale, he said.
The closing is the third for an Onondaga County brewery in the last four years, all located in the northern suburbs. IBU Brewing in North Syracuse closed in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic. Full Boar Brewing, also in North Syracuse, closed last fall.
Both locations have since reopened as satellite tasting rooms for other breweries: IBU is now home to a tasting room for McGraw Box Brewing of Cortland County and Full Boar’s location is now a tasting room for Heritage Hill Brewhouse of Pompey.
The most recent craft brewery to open in Onondaga County is also in the north suburbs: Van Hassler Brewing opened in October at 8045 Oswego Road (Route 57) in Clay, just a bit north of the Shops at Seneca Mall.
Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook.