7 Craft Beer Capitals In Small-Town New York
With more than 440 licensed breweries, New York’s craft beer scene is thriving, accounting for roughly $3.4 billion to the state’s economy. While you may already be familiar with some of the state’s larger craft beer hubs, such as Brooklyn and Buffalo, smaller towns across the state are developing their own scenes at an exciting pace, making it the perfect time for a craft beer road trip! If you are looking to explore some of New York’s best small-town brew scenes, these seven towns should be on your radar this year.
Lake Placid
Located in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid has seen its brewery scene grow rapidly in recent years, with several nearby spots worth checking out. Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is one of the town’s biggest staples in the beer scene, established in 1996 and serving a variety of microbrews, including lagers and ales, most notably the Ubu Ale, a once-favorite beer of President Clinton! Big Slide Brewery & Public House is a newer addition in town, opened in 2016 and serving 10 rotating beers on tap. The food at this brewery is spectacular as well, serving an extensive menu with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
Right on Main Street, travelers can also grab a drink at the conveniently located Raquette River Brewing Tasting Room, a brewery originally from Tupper Lake that expanded with a location in Lake Placid.
Beacon
If you want to be able to brewery hop without needing a car, Beacon is the town for you. This small town has multiple breweries right on its Main Street, making it easy to try several in one afternoon. Travelers can start their adventure at Melzingah Tap House, a cozy brewery that offers 23 different beers on tap, alongside a nice variety of local cuisine.
Hudson Valley Brewery is a couple of blocks away, featuring a taproom that is open from Thursday through Monday, which is especially known for its Sour Farmhouse Ales. As you continue up Main Street, you will come across a couple of other highly rated breweries, including Draught Industries and Pillow and Oats Brewing, making it a great way to round out your afternoon.
Geneva
For some award-winning beer, Geneva is the perfect destination. This town is home to the iconic Brewery Ardennes, a Belgian-inspired craft beer establishment that has earned recognition from Hop Culture Magazine and the New York International Beer Competition. There are over 16 craft beers on tap, practically guaranteeing that you will find one to your liking.
Watershed Brewing is another lively destination to have on your radar, serving 10 rotating varieties on tap and offering live music nearly every weekend. Just about a block from the lake, meanwhile, Lake Drum Brewing is a cozy brewery to stop into, with vinyls, games, and a book exchange system on-site. A few of the current beer varieties you can try here include a buckwheat stout, a juice pale ale, and a Bowen porter.
Cooperstown
Nicknamed “America’s Hometown,” Cooperstown is famous not just for its baseball scene, but also for its beer! One of the most unique breweries in town is Brewery Ommegang, which was founded in 1996 as an authentic, Belgian-style farmstead brewhouse. In addition to its guided tastings, visitors can also enjoy festivals, concerts, trivia nights, and other special events on the premises.
Council Rock Brewery is another highlight, serving a hearty menu of homestyle meals alongside its IPAs and ales. The fall is the perfect time to stop by Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard, which sits just a few minutes from Cooperstown and features fresh apples, cider mill tours, and a tasting room where you can enjoy ciders, wines, and craft beers.
Saratoga Springs
In addition to its multiple breweries, Saratoga Springs has made a name for itself in the craft beer world thanks to its beer-related festivals. The Saratoga Beer Summit is the perfect opportunity to sample a wide range of brews, featuring an impressive annual lineup of breweries and three- to four-hour tasting sessions.
Artisanal Brew Works has plenty of events going on throughout the year as well, including comedy shows, live music, and ukulele jam sessions. You can’t go wrong with Druthers Brewing Company either, which was established in Saratoga Springs in 2012 before expanding to five additional locations across New York. The year-round beers available at this brewery include a Scottish Ale, IPA, blonde ale, and a DDH NEIPA, accompanied by an extensive list of rotating seasonals.
Watkins Glen
What could be better than pairing lake views with a cold beer? In Watkins Glen, a Finger Lakes town on the shores of Seneca Lake, you can enjoy both. Although not directly on the lake, Upstate Brewing Company FLX is just a block or two from the shore, offering bingo nights, workshops, and other creative activities.
Grist Iron Brewing Co., meanwhile, is just a short drive away from Watkins Glen and sits on a 150-acre property above the lake, offering even more incredible views. It also serves a seasonal pumpkin ale for those looking to get into the fall spirit! Lucky Hare Brewing Company is just the place to do so, a lakefront brewery and pub that serves 10 craft beers on tap, along with ciders, wines, cocktails, and select domestic beers.
Hammondsport
Considering its size of just a little over 500 residents, Hammondsport has an impressive number of breweries in the area. The Brewery of Broken Dreams is a key player in the town’s brewery scene, owned by a couple that began producing their brews nearly three decades ago! Finger Lakes Beer Company is a lovely place to enjoy a pint as well, offering flights, 10-oz, and 16-oz pours that visitors can enjoy in the brewery’s picnic area or outdoor deck.
Enjoy both brews and biking? Consider a bike ride with Pedal for Pilsners, a biweekly bicycle club hosted by the town’s Steuben Brewing Company that begins with a scenic ride through the countryside and ends with food and drinks at the brewery.
Small Towns With Big Beer Scenes
You might not expect a strong beer scene in towns with only a few thousand residents, but these places prove it is very much possible. Not only do each of these towns serve delicious beer, but several of them also host exciting beer festivals and live events that attract large crowds throughout the year. Many of these towns have even more breweries than those mentioned here, so the best way to find your favorite is to head out and explore them for yourself.
