STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As fresh inventory and a new winter ale populated Flagship Brewing Co.'s walk-in boxes this week, one thing became official -- the Tompkinsville brewery has officially switched over to cans. New York City can say good-bye to the glass bottles with which the six-year old company began.

The brewery’s co-owner, Jay Sykes, said he wants to share the mirth over the new packaging, some of which feature graphic images by another Staten Island business, Tom & Co.

“We’re doing a can release party from 7 p.m. to midnight to celebrate the transition from bottles to cans and showcase our five new six-pack cans," he said.

The Winter Ale, available in 16-ounce four pack cans, will also be introduced at the gathering, which will take place on Friday.

Head brewer Mark Szmaida said he loves how the Flagship Winter Ale turned out.

- Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

“I like a well-balanced beer. I don’t like spice – no nutmeg, no cinnamon, generally no pumpkin,” said Szmaida who relied on “exotic” hops to heighten the ale’s flavor profile with pine and cedar.

The Winter Ale sports an 8% ABV.

“It’s a little winter warmer, not too strong to make you crazy, but a little stronger than usual,” said Szmaida, good for hunkering down over a hearty beef stew or fragrant onion soup with Gruyere cheese crisped under the broiler.

New labels for the winter ale. Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

“It’s style is a double red ale, fairly highly hopped with numerous hops – Idaho 7, BRU1, El Dorado, Cascade, Jarrylo. That’s it,” said the brewer.

On a brisk weekday morning, a canning machine churned a conveyor belt into full production. Staffers hand-packed cardboard boxes with some of Flagship’s rebranded beers. The process took place in front of two new lagering tanks.

The massive stainless steel vessels were a feat to put into place, said staffer Michael Medrum. But with demand for Flagship’s several different styles made it a necessary investment.

Fermenters. Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

“Fresh Kills IPA is the rebranded IPA. It used to be just called ‘Flagship IPA,'" said Sykes. “We thought it was a perfect fit. ‘Fresh Kills’ used to have a negative name but now it has a new park that Staten Island can be proud of.”

And Staten Island-centric monikers were important to the borough native.

Metropolitan lager, similar looking in the past to the golden-hued pilsner and kolsch, is now an Amber Lager.

“As we did the whole refresh we decided to redo the Metropolitan Lager,” said Sykes.

New lagering tanks. Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

The Holtermann’s Crumb Cake brew, reported Szmaida, is almost a sell-out. A mere single keg remains, part of the offerings at the Tompkinsville taproom.

“We could have made more but that’s what limited editions are about,” said the brewer. He’s working on Irish Coffee Stout next. Szmaida described the impending new brew as “a little cream, a little coffee, toasted oak and Irish whiskey.”

Jason Seelal and Doug Williams. Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si

MakerPark Radio will be on site to DJ for Friday’s can release event, and the cans will be available in stores across New York City next week, according to Sykes.

Flagship Brewing Co. is located at 40 Minthorne St., Tompkinsville; 718-448-5284.

New packaging. Flagship Brewing Co. ditches bottles for cans in the Tompkinsville brewery's new packaging program. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si