From Transmission Shop to Taproom: The Rise of Kingston Standard

The venture began in 2019 at 22 Jansen Avenue, a former transmission shop that the founders purchased and renovated with an initial investment of $150,000. While many craft breweries at the time were chasing extreme flavors and IPA trends, Simpson and Owens focused on clean, approachable beer and a space designed for gathering. The strategy proved effective: on their opening Memorial Day weekend, 300 people showed up, quickly exhausting their supply.

Operating as a nanobrewery allowed the founders to maintain quality and agility. By rotating their taps frequently and keeping their footprint small, they fostered a loyal community of regulars whose feedback directly influenced their production. This deliberate approach to scaling has sustained steady year-over-year growth. In 2024, the brewery gained wider recognition when their barrel-aged sour, Love Is Overtaking Me, won best-in-show at the New York State Governor’s Craft Beer Cup.

Expansion is now on the horizon. Following a grant from New York’s Restore NY program, the team is transitioning to a zero-fossil-fuel facility at 2 Jansen Avenue. The upgrade will evolve their modest taproom into a full-service public house, with the founders projecting potential revenue growth between $1 million and $3 million. Despite the scaling, the core philosophy remains unchanged: listening to the local history and the community rather than chasing external trends.