The Top Finger Lakes Breweries (and Brewpubs)
The Breweries in the Finger Lakes don’t get nearly the recognition they deserve. Here’s where to look if you’re a fan of beer and you’re in the Finger Lakes of New York State.
Now, the first thing that needs to be mentioned is that it’s indeed true that this region is known as “Finger Lakes Wine Country,” and not “Finger Lakes Beer Country,” but that doesn’t mean there isn’t good beer in the Finger Lakes.
In my humble opinion, it’s simply the case where this region devoted a lot of energy and resources to one aspect of their identity (their wine culture), but now we’re seeing that identity expand into beer.
Not all that long ago, I wrote a behemoth of an article on the best wineries in the Finger Lakes, so today is my attempt to write a companion piece to that first instalment, which has been one of the most popular articles on my site for ages.
Somewhere down the line, I’ll also write about some of the cideries down in FLX. Bri (my wife, for those who don’t know) actually just wrote an article on a particular Ontario cidery for my sister site, so I’m becoming more and more aware that cider culture is a thing, and as long as the cider is nice and dry, I’m all for it.
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely down in the Finger Lakes and you’re likely thirsty, so I’ll save you the preamble and get right down to it.
Where Are the Breweries in the Finger Lakes Located?
For those unfamiliar with the Finger Lakes, the large lake in the centre of this map is Seneca Lake. As you can see, there are a lot of breweries on Seneca Lake, just as there are a lot of wineries. The other lake which has its fair share of breweries is Keuka Lake. The Keuka Lake breweries, generally speaking, aren’t as well known as their counterparts on Seneca Lake, but that doesn’t mean they don’t produce great beer.
Not to worry about which brewery is on which lake, I’ll remark below on the top breweries in general, and note the town which they call home to make it nice and easy for you.
The Best Finger Lakes Breweries and Brewpubs to Visit in FLX
I’m including both breweries and brewpubs here because there are a number of spots in the region that do indeed brew their own beer, but in smaller batches. In light of that, they serve as both a microbrewery and pub, which I appreciate since they often serve great local beer alongside their own, and it allows me to try more beers from the region at one time.
In general, the beer scene in the Finger Lakes is still expanding, so many of the spots I’ll mention aren’t behemoth breweries, but rather small businesses that deserve support as they continue to grow. The soil in this region is famous for growing grapes, but that same soil can sure grow some excellent hops as well.
Also, the reputation of America not having a very high quality of beer is over. I’ve sipped beers in big cities across the country, and also does the opposite, and tried beer in Butler County, Pennsylvania, a formerly dry county. All that to say, I’ve tried to do it all.
Finally, this list isn’t ranked, so I’ll be mentioning them in no particular order.
Grist Iron Brewing Company (Hector, NY)
Grist Iron Brewing Co, often colloquially called GIB, was founded in 2015, and is located right in the heart of the Finger Lakes. They brew a variety of craft brews on site, and they’re known for respecting the history of the traditional American style of brewing, but also playing with twists on that tradition.
They’re also known for their food, especially their BBQ plates.
What I appreciate is how inventive they are. I think that comes out most strongly in their Life’s Lemons NEIPA, basically a lemonade IPA, and the Headless Hessian Pumpkin Ale, which is brewed with over 250 pounds of pumpkin and is ideal for a little Autumn drinking.
You may have guessed from its location right near Hector that this is indeed a Seneca Lake brewery.
Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery (Penn Yan, NY)
This is a unique spot when it comes to Finger Lakes breweries since they brew their beers with estate grown hops, and you can literally see that on the hop farm. They bill themselves as “New York State’s premier farm-to-barrel brewery,” and rightfully so.
Climbing Bines is all about small bach, hand-crafted ales brewed with local ingredients. I personally appreciate the Blonde and Honey Apricot.
Scale House Brewery (Hector, NY)
As with Grist Iron, they’re located in Hector, which, of course, also makes them a Seneca Lake brewery. Scale House is known for two things - craft beer and gourmet pizza.
There are few Finger Lakes beers that are more coveted than Scale House’s Peanut Butter Stout. I haven’t personally tried it, but I’ve been told that it just the right mix of peanut butter and chocolate with a creamy finish. I also appreciate their Dirty Blonde, simply because strong blondes aren’t easy to come by, but they’re for sure better known for their stouts than anything else.
Keuka Brewing Co. (Hammondsport, NY)
Keuka Brewing Co., as you might have gathered, is a Keuka Lake brewery. Since inception, they’ve won a few awards and accolades for their small-batch brews. It’s also worth noting that they were Keuka Lake’s first micro-brewery.
If you’re headed there in the fall, don’t pass up the chance to try their Pumpkin Cream Ale. Otherwise, try some of their well-respected flagship beers such as the Hoppy Laker IPA or Buff Point Brown Ale. If you’d like to try something that is definitely a little different, then go with their Afterburner Habanero Ale.
Lucky Hare Brewing Company (Hector, NY)
Should they just get it over with already and rename Hector “Craft Beer, NY?” Seriously though, it’s hard for me to imagine many other towns of around 5000 people that have such phenomenal access to quality breweries.
Speaking of Hector - Lucky Hare proclaims that it is they who are “Hector’s leading farm brewery.” And it may not be far off, as they really do aim to be community conscious leaders, and have a solid reputation when it comes to their beer. I love to see that they’re very much a family friendly and dog friendly Finger Lakes brewery, which isn’t something you see across the Finger Lakes at large necessarily.
If you’re looking objectively at ratings on apps such as Untappd, then it’s going to become obvious that people really like this brewery.
The Falcon Punch is probably the crowd favourite, but, more than any other brewery, I’d let your own preferences guide you here because they really don’t make anything that isn’t well made and delicious.
Liquid Shoes Brewing (Corning, NY)
Located right on Corning’s Market Street (arguably my favourite street in the Finger Lakes) is Liquid Shoes Brewing. It’s run by brothers David and Eric Shoemaker, hence the name.
I’ve been to this spot many times, and yet to be disappointed. Typically, they have a variety of their own beers on tap, as well as some guest taps to help support other folks brewing in the region.
I’m not typically a darker beer sort of fellow, but I do know that people adore their Ding Dong Daddy, which is an American Porter. I personally like their Uncle Cletus, which has citra, mosaic and cascade hops.
Railhead Brewing Company (Hornell, NY)
Railhead isn’t right by the water, but it’s definitely still a part of the Finger Lakes region, and you’d be remiss to count it out.
It’s a laid back pub on a 3 barrel brewhouse and they produce all their own stuff, though do occasionally have a guest tap or two up and running to support their brewing pals.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that they produce the best Kölsch of all the breweries in the Finger Lakes. A kölsch for those who don’t know is a German style of beer that’s clear, easy drinking and bright yellow in colour. Basically, it’s fermented like an ale, but then finished in cold temperatures like a lager.
If you’re into Oatmeal Stouts, then I’d also try theirs.
Steuben Brewing Company (Hammondsport, NY)
In 2014, this Keuka Lake brewery was formed on the west side of the lake. It’s a family operated New York State farm brewery through and through.
What I like about Steuben is how publicly they foster relationships with local farmers and individuals to source their hops, grains, and everything in between. That sort of attitude does wonders in terms of creating reciprocal relationships and building community.
Their big initiative right now is their Local Liquid series, which aims to reveal “the local terroir and expression of farmer, mallster, and brewer.” They have gotten rave reviews, so if you do visit and they still have these available, that’s what I’d be sipping on.
Otherwise, go with their Harmonyville IPA.
Abandon Brewing Company (Penn Yan, NY)
I wanted to include Abandon Brewing Co. on this list of top Finger Lakes breweries not just because of their beer, but because they’re a geothermal-powered craft brewery which calls a reused farmhouse home. I love to see environmentally conscious small businesses, and I just can’t help it.
It’s a relaxed atmosphere here, and the it’s quite picturesque between the reconditioned barn from the early 1800s and the views of Keuka Lake.
Their Farmhouse IPA certainly does the trick, and packs a nice punch as well at 7% ABV. I’m not sure whether it’ll be on tap when you’re there, but if it is, give their Reckless Abandon Belgian Double IPA a whirl. Just make sure you’re not driving as it’s 8.6% ABV.
Two Goats Brewing (Hector, NY)
A small brewpub overlooking Seneca Lake that has a clear and unapologetic identity.
Take for example how they explain that they serve one sandwich and one sandwich only - “Got a hankering for pork with charcuterie sauce, roasted roma tomatoes and fingerling potatoes sided by a cavolonero salad with pommery mustard vinaigrette? Yeah, you won’t find that here. Sink your teeth into our delicious Beef-On-Weck.”
For what it’s worth, I’m told that sandwich is absurdly good.
In terms of their beer, crowd favourites seem to be the X IPA, which is an experimental imperial IPA, and really any session IPA that they’ve made, especially the Goat-gasm. For my tastes, it’s all about the Golden Crush NEPA, which is pure hazy hoppy goodness.
Diversion Brewing Company (Chemung, NY)
If you’re looking for Diversion Brewing Co., just look for the big red barn.
That’s the outside, but what I like about the inside is that their tasting room consists almost entirely of refurbished or recycled items. It creates a fairly chill and laid-back vibe as there’s no part of Diversion that’s uppity.
You can go whenever, but if you can manage to go in the warmer months that’s ideal because they’ve got an outdoor patio with live music.
Go with the Witty Remark if you’re into wheat beers or, if not, try out the East Coast Roast, which is a coffee stout.
Upstate Brewing Company (Elmira, NY)
While some of the breweries listed above are aiming to dominate one style of beer, Upstate Brewing Co. seems to make a conscious effort to be a Finger Lakes brewery that has a little something for everybody.
It’s also worth mentioning here that if you do come for a visit to their sweet little location in Elmira and love their beer, they fill up growlers and offer sixtels and half kegs for sale. They have a bit more traction and notoriety than some of the smaller batch brewers in FLX, so they can do stuff like this and capitalize on their volume of production.
You’re good to try any of their IPAs, but if it’s cold out and they’ve got it on tap, don’t miss the chance to try their Xmas Common Sense, which is a spiced/herbed beer that’s a variant of their popular Common Sense Ale. Again, I’m not as much of a stout guy, so can’t speak to it personally, but I do know that their Concentrated Dark Matter is revered in the region.
And There’s My Own Little Beer Trail in the Finger Lakes
If you’re a big beer drinker and headed to the Finger Lakes, start at Seneca Lake, and in particular, Hector, NY.
It’s no secret that I adore this region. Not only do I have friends here, but I also know many of the business owners that make the Finger Lakes so special.
To me, it’s a part of the map that seems to be growing and evolving, but never forgetting about the roots of what makes it great in the first place. I love to see that because certainly as a Torontonian, I’ve seen what happens when you gentrify and grow, and lose history and tradition in the process.
What I see now with the Finger Lakes beer scene is the next chapter in the famed alcohol history of the region, which is fuelled by local people and businesses who know they’ve got a worthwhile product (and soil). And the very reason that I write articles like this is because I feel like it’s part of my job to let the world know, and help these deserving places thrive a little more.
I can’t wait to get back to the Finger Lakes because, suffice to say, after all this writing, I’ve got a hankering for cold beer and a beer-fuelled conversation or two. If you’ve got a chance to support any of these breweries, go down and try a flight, and I can only hope my recommendations will steer you in the right direction.
The good news is, whatever you choose and wherever you go, you’re bound to have a memorable time.