Edible Images: The Bronx Brewery signs a five-year partnership with Bronx-born food lab Empanology

One of Uptown’s culinary rising stars just found a permanent home. The Bronx Brewery and Empanology just announced a long-term deal that makes the Bronx-born food lab the first official food partner in the brewery’s nine-year history. Operating out of a brand-new kitchen in The Bronx Brewery’s Backyard in the South Bronx, Empanology will fire up its signature innovative takes on Uptown classics seven days a week — with outdoor dining and pickup currently available and delivery on the horizon.

Fans can expect food and beer collabs to pour out of the partnership. Already, Empanology’s buzzworthy OG Chopped Cheese empanada and BBQ sauce uses the brewery’s World Gone Hazy IPA. Both teams are working on limited-edition menu items, tied together by the flavors coming out of the kitchen and the brewery’s Up and Comers limited-release beer series.

The collab dates back more than three years, starting with Empanology’s first Backyard popup in 2017 — before the brand officially existed. Over that time, Empanology has collaborated with Brewery over and over again in a limited capacity. Following an overseas collaboration, Empanology staged a residency at the Brewery last winter.

“Our team and I are extremely excited to call BXB our home. We are overwhelmed with excitement for this opportunity to show the world what Empanology can bring to the table,” said Jason Alicea, chef and founder of Empanology. “This partnership has been years in the making with the goal of elevating our guest experience and food with each collab. Now that we are properly equipped with a brand-new kitchen and team, we look forward to displaying our culinary artistry while continuing to serve our community the best empanadas and more in New York City.”

“Our team and I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Jason, Danny, Ruby and the entire Empanology team to bring their culinary vision to life in our Brewery, Taproom and Backyard,” said Damian Brown, president and cofounder of The Bronx Brewery. “For us, beer has always been about bringing people together and it is great to work with others who share that approach with what they create.”

This partnership has a vision beyond empanadas and craft beer: one for community and a chance to give back to the South Bronx. This year, Empanology has a goal of sponsoring a kid from owner Jason Alicea’s high school in the Bronx whose parents were affected by Covid-19. Meanwhile, the brewery has redoubled its efforts around Up and Comers — where limited releases meet local artists and foundations — and coming off a spring where it donated more than 10,000 beers to frontline workers in its Cheers To Heroes campaign.