Brewery recommendations

[FedoraDave]

This is actually kind of limited in its scope, but I'm hoping some good answers will come from those who qualify.

Lemme 'splain:

I'm retired now, so I have time. And we've come into some money from an inheritance. It's earmarked for much-needed kitchen renovation, which we're in the process of starting. But both my wife and I are being put through the wringer on it, and she suggested that, for our own individual mental health, once the kitchen is done, and once things open up more health-wise, each of us should take some of the leftover funds and do something just for that individual.

And I thought about it, and I think I'd like to take a road trip; just maybe a week, and drive someplace and tour the local microbreweries and see the little brewpubs, etc., and sample what they've got while I take in the countryside nearby.

And this is where The Borg comes in. I live just outside of New York City, and this would be a driving trip, so places in Western New England, Upstate NY, or along the Southern Tier, in NJ, or PA would be the only places I could think about going. Much as I'd like to visit the breweries that Michigan or Colorado or other states have to offer, it just isn't going to happen.

So any of you who live in those areas that are less than half a day's drive from NYC, do you have recommendations? This isn't going to happen any time soon, but it's fun for me to plan things like this, and the more information and time, the better.

[HerbMeowing]

there's a place upstate we're looking forward to visiting come the 2024 eclipse.
it's a colonial-era 'theme' park where actors recreate the roles played by the early settlers. williamsburg va has something similar.
from what i've heard ...there's an olde tyme brewery there.

great! ... you say; so where is it ... you say?
east of syracuse is about all i recall at this hour.

will sift through my stack of notes and give you a call back later ...

[berryman]

Might be a little farther then you want to go, but a lot to see and do in Cooperstown, NY Where Ommegang is.https://www.ommegang.com/
If you wanted to come all the way out to Western NY (I am sure you know where that is ) We have Southern Tier, Ellicottville Brewing and a lot of good small ones to, or up to Buffalo and a lot up there.

[FedoraDave]

HerbMeowing, are you referring to Genessee Country Museum? or Museum Village at Smith's Clove, which is in Orange County, NY? The former is in Rochester, and I've been to Rochester a lot, since my wife is from there. The latter is closer to where I live, and I'd like to venture further. But if you're thinking of a different place, I'll definitely entertain it.

Berryman, I've been to Ommegang more than once. We go to Cooperstown every three years or so to visit the Baseball HoF. I might consider touring the Southern Tier, though. If I'm taking a week or so, I could easily travel a bit, find a brewery or two to visit, stay overnight and then move on the next day. I like the idea of hopscotching through an area.

[HerbMeowing]

can't find my notes on the place but the Genessee Country Museum looks to be the one.
have you been there?
looking forward to visiting in 2024.

turns out it's to the west of syracuse lol ...

[FedoraDave]

can't find my notes on the place but the Genessee Country Museum looks to be the one.
have you been there?
looking forward to visiting in 2024.

turns out it's to the west of syracuse lol ...

I have been there, but it was years ago. Also, the brewery was closed, and when a member of our group wondered why, another member of the group said, "Because they don't want you to know what real beer tastes like."

I've also been to Rohrbach's in Rochester, and had a delicious vanilla porter that can only be described as "liquid cake." Can't recommend it strongly enough.

[Crazy Climber]

Lots of good options in Western New England. And, if you're willing to stretch the trip out to Central Massachusetts, a pilgrimage to Tree House in Charlton, MA is highly recommended. To think that 10 years ago, they were four guys brewing in a shed, and now they've got this (plus 2 other locations) - click to enlarge



Oh, and they've got the gold standard for hazy IPA's.

The yellow thing at the far right of the bottom picture is a pizza oven. They also have bands sometimes, cornhole, plenty of seating (covered and uncovered), TWO bars serving pints, a gift shop, and an interior view that can only be described as Stainless Steel Porn.

Will send along other WNE recommendations when time permits.

[FedoraDave]

I was thinking Western Massachusetts would be a good option. Only a couple hours drive from my house, and then some rambling day to day after that. This is looking quite promising. I shall investigate further.

[Crazy Climber]

Too bad I moved out of Western Mass last year, I could have given you a tour!

Here's a few to ponder, besides Tree House. Listed roughly south-to-north.

Places for which I would personally vouch:

New England Brewing, Woodbridge, CT
https://newenglandbrewing.com/

Skyline Beer Co., Westfield, MA
https://skylinebeerco.com/
- Used to be my LHBS. Good people.
- There's also Westfield River Brewing down the street - classic New England setting, in an old barn, rustic and beautiful...but the beers are meh (IMO).
- And there's also Great Awakening Brewing almost walking distance from Skyline - it opened after I left town, but I've heard good things.

Two Weeks Notice Brewing, West Springfield, MA
https://www.twoweeksnoticebrewing.com/
- Nothing fancy, but good NEIPA's.

Vanished Valley Brewing, Ludlow, MA
https://vanishedvalley.com/
- Good food and very good beers. Started in a shed behind a local restaurant...eventually bought the restaurant and expanded the brewery inside. Made their name with NEIPA's, but have very good stouts, too.

Amherst Brewing Company / The Hangar Pub
https://www.hangarpubandgrill.com/
- Great buffalo wing restaurant with multiple locations, owned by Amherst Brewing. The flagship location in Amherst, MA, has a pour-your-own tap wall, and lots of retro video games.

Places that I have not visited, but have had their beers via distribution and enjoyed them:

Two Roads Brewing, Stratford, CT
https://tworoadsbrewing.com/

Back East Brewing, Bloomfield, CT
https://www.backeastbrewing.com/

Thomas Hooker Brewery, Hartford and Bloomfield, CT
https://hookerbeer.com/

White Lion Brewing, Springfield, MA
https://www.whitelionbrewing.com/
- Just opened their own brewery in the heart of downtown Springfield, after contract brewing for about 5 years.

Fort Hill Brewery, Easthampton, MA
http://www.forthillbrewery.com/
Lots of good beers, and a nice, big location. Lager-focused, but not exclusively so.

Iron Duke Brewing, Ludlow, MA
https://www.irondukebrewing.com/

Another place about which I have heard good things, but have not experienced first-hand in any way:

Bru Rm, New Haven, CT (New Haven pizza - yum)
https://www.barnightclub.com/bru-room

There are others further north, if you decided to extend the trek. For example, Tree House has a new satellite location in Deerfield, MA - https://treehousebrew.com/deerfield
There's also the Northampton Brewery - the "OG" of Western New England craft breweries, The People's Pint, Building 8, Brick and Feather......I hope you have a designated driver!

[FedoraDave]

Wow, Crazy, that's a great list! Thanks for the time it took to compile it. I can definitely see myself taking this road trip, and perhaps I'll plan on doing it next autumn, so I can look at some lovely fall foliage while I sip awesome microbrews!

Yep. Plans like a sound, don't it?