Rebel Sailor Brewing Co. in Shortsville Closing Feb. 28 With Farewell Events

Rebel Sailor Brewing Co. & Kitchen in Shortsville will close its doors on Feb. 28, 2026, a date the owners timed to mark the brewery’s third anniversary. The closure announcement appeared on the brewery’s social channels, and management is inviting the community to a month of specials and two days of farewell events at the end of February.

The brewery told followers on Instagram, “It is with heavy hearts that we bring you sad news. On February 28th Rebel Sailor will be closing its doors for good.” A Facebook post echoed that tone and asked supporters to gather and celebrate: “Although it’s a sad time, we also want to celebrate those three years with all of the folks that made this such a special journey,” and “So come on in and have another drink with us while reminiscing about times gone by and make some new lasting memories.” The post also expressed deep appreciation for patrons and friends and framed the closure as a pause rather than a permanent farewell.

Co-owner Robert Payne and his partners opened Rebel Sailor in 2023 on state Route 21. The taproom and kitchen sits at 1715 Route 21 in Shortsville and lists on its official business page the hours Thursday 4:00 PM–8:00 PM, Friday 3:00 PM–9:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM–9:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 PM–6:00 PM. Contact information is 585-289-1052 and info@rebelsailorbrewco.com for inquiries about final-day plans, staff, inventory or merchandise.

Food, drink and merchandise specials will run through February, with a planned farewell celebration on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. Local beer fans have organized a “Last Chance to Visit Rebel Sailor Brewing” meetup for Saturday, Feb. 21, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, hosted by Dana with the Rochester Brew Quest group, which described the outing as one more visit to a short hop down the I-90. The Meetup post also noted the brewery’s solid kitchen offerings and included an unverified line that another brewery may open in Shortsville later this year; that claim has not been independently confirmed.

Rebel Sailor built a community profile during its run, becoming a regular at local events such as keg tree lightings and participating in the region’s Stout Month programming that helps draw customers in slow January weeks. One seasonal standout was Reindeer P, a holiday beer brewed with honey sourced from the nearby Shortsville Reindeer Farm, a local collaboration that amplified the brewery’s neighborhood ties.

The announcement did not include a reason for the closure, and details on staff impacts, lease or future plans for the space have not been provided. For readers planning a final visit, the safest steps are to check the brewery’s social posts for any schedule updates, call 585-289-1052, or email info@rebelsailorbrewco.com for specifics on specials, remaining keg releases and merchandise.

The coming weeks offer a last chance to taste Rebel Sailor’s beers, support its staff and collect memorabilia. Expect more community gatherings before Feb. 28, and watch the brewery’s social channels for any late additions to the farewell calendar or announcements about the site’s future.