Business Of Craft Beer Booming In Suburbs Across Tri-State

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Beer lovers don't have to travel far these days to find delicious, locally made brews with independent beer companies popping up all over and not just in the city.

From New Jersey, to Long Island and Westchester County, the suburbs are booming when it comes to the business of craft beer.

Yonkers Brewing Company co-founders Nick Califano and John Rubbo, both Yonkers natives, have definitely noticed the increased popularity of drinking craft or smaller batch, independent brews compared to big commercial beers.

"We've been open here for a year and I think we've done 47 different styles," Califano told CBS2's Andrea Grymes.

"Millennials are now, this is their beer of choice," said Rubbo. "It's something that they go out, they drink a craft beer, they drink a local beer, they want to know what's local."

The New York State Brewers Association says the number of Empire State breweries jumped from 95 in 2012 to 240 today.

In New Jersey, the Garden State Craft Brewers Guild says there are 43 and another 40 are expected to open in the next two years.

New Jersey Beer Company in North Bergen was the first craft brewery to open in Hudson County.

"To have this in the suburbs, it's fun for people to do, it's an activity for people to be proud of for people to say, 'Hey, that beer I'm drinking, it's from New Jersey," said Chairman Paul Silverman.

There were 900 different establishments that sold New Jersey Beer Company's beer last year.

"It's fantastic," said brewer Dave Manka. "You get a great feeling when you see your beer out there and people drinking it and enjoying it."

They believe the taste and the carefully selected ingredients keep people coming back for more.