Woman-Owned Brewery Talea Bringing All-Day Taproom To UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — One of New York City's fastest-growing craft breweries is expanding to the Upper West Side this fall, bringing an unusually family-friendly taproom to Amsterdam Avenue.

Talea, New York City's first woman-owned production brewery, is planning to open its sixth location at 441 Amsterdam Ave. near West 81st Street.

The company, which launched its first brewery and taproom in Williamsburg in 2021, now distributes its beers to roughly 1,500 bars, restaurants and retailers across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

But co-founder and co-CEO Tara Hankinson said the taprooms remain the heart of the business.

"We started the business with women in mind because women have always been excluded from the beer world," Hankinson told Patch. "Now our sights are even beyond that, where our goal is just to be an approachable brand that makes easy-to-love, delicious beer and has a great hospitality experience."

Unlike many traditional craft breweries, Talea focuses on lower-alcohol, fruit-forward beers with familiar flavor profiles, aiming to appeal to people who may not consider themselves beer drinkers.

Its colorful branding and bright taprooms are designed to feel welcoming rather than intimidating.

"Seeing beers that were sexist and derogatory at worst, or, at best, very sport-inspired, or kind of like comic book themed, or reptiles — that just doesn't speak to me as a consumer, and I'm sure a lot of other people, not just women, are not buying a beer called 'Raging Bitch.'"

The taprooms serve beer with approachable flavor names like "Al Dente," "Summer Camp," and "Raspberry Crush."

The Upper West Side has been on the company's radar for years, Hankinson said.

After searching for the right location, Talea landed on the long-vacant Amsterdam Avenue storefront, drawn by its exposed brick, natural light and location in one of the neighborhood's busiest dining corridors.

The taproom will open in the former St. James Gate space, which closed in 2024. When it opens, the space will serve bites to eat alongside Talea's beers, wine, cocktails and espresso drinks.

Beyond serving drinks, Talea hopes to become a community gathering place by hosting book clubs, nonprofit meetings and neighborhood events. The brewery also plans to collaborate with Upper West Side businesses on exclusive beers after opening, Hankinson said.

"I love the sense of community and localism that is associated with the craft beer world," the founder said.

Parents are another group the company hopes to attract. Like its other locations, the Upper West Side taproom will include a changing table, complimentary diapers and wipes, and stroller-friendly spaces — rare accommodations for a taproom.

"We've lived in New York City in many different phases of our life," Hankinson said. "Honestly, as a mom, I will pay so much more for an experience where I can bring my kids and feel like I'm not ruining my server or bartender's day."

Know of a business opening or closing on the Upper West Side? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.