Crossing the border for a few days always brings with it the opportunity to buy an insane amount of beer with which to stock the stash. The stash is not exactly sad but it is not exactly bursting at the seams, either. It deserves better.
It's been almost a year and a half since I hit the wonder that is Finger Lake Beverages and I am wondering what you would recommend. They have a great selection of Belgians, Germans and British imports as well as a whack of US craft beers but it's those special releases that are going around I will focus on. What has been good recently? What is worth passing up? We also should be stopping at Ommegang and maybe even a few craft beer joints along the way - but this is a family jaunt so it's not like I'm dragging my butt through the taverns until the wee hours. No, between stops for ice cream, baseball games and swimming holes this is about stuffing the stash. So, what does it need to be stuffed with?
And think of me as I weep before the beer section at Wegmans... again.
Comments
Ilya Feynberg - July 11, 2010 12:40 AM
Alan, have you ever had a chance to try anything from the Kasteel line up yet?
If not, let me know I know that finding the stuff...well just about most anything up there in NY is pretty darn easy but I've got a few bottles here that I would be more than happy to send your way.
And no...I don't rep for them ;) I've just been recently surprised by the amount of beer bloggers and beer lovers that haven't tried or heard of beer and brewery.
I would recommend giving their original Kasteel Brune a try first before you do the Rouge which is the Brune but brewed with cherries. Let me know!
Other than that...probably some seasonal stuff from Real Ale Brewery in Blanco, Texas or BETTER yet...some Yeti from Great Divide Brewery in Denver, Colorado.
Either way...just skip right past the part of the isle that contains the water...errr...sorry I meant Miller light. ;)
Ed Carson - July 11, 2010 7:14 AM
Enjoy the Hall of Fame!
JW - July 11, 2010 9:56 AM
Try Rooster Fish Brewing (which is part of the Wildflower Cafe / Crooked Rooster Brewpub) if you make it to Watkins Glen.
There is also a really good meadery on the west side of seneca lake (Earle Estates Meadery).
If you make it up to Rochester, you have to check out Beers of the World (http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1266 ) - it is an incredible bottleshop that you can't miss if in the area.
There is also a really good map of all the breweries in New York here:
http://www.iloveny.com/brewerytrails/mapoftrails.html
Have a great trip!
-JW
Tim - July 11, 2010 10:39 AM
Pretty Things beers. All of them. Lots of them!
Greg - July 12, 2010 12:21 PM
Not sure if you'll get far south enough, but the southern tier has a nice little brewery scene.
Ellicottville Brewing Company (about an hour south of Buffalo on 219) makes some great beer, and is in a charming little ski town with lots of great family-friendly festivals in the summer.
Full disclosure: My grandparents live in E-ville, so I'm biased, but still it's a great place for a family/beer trip.
Another out-of-the-way place with surprisingly good beer is Horseheads Brewing, in Horseheads, NY.
Of course, Southern Tier Brewing is a nice stop, too.
Have a good trip!
-Greg
Alan - July 12, 2010 2:50 PM
Stopped by Ithaca Beer Co. and bought two new - to - me beers, their Belgian Quad called "12" (or "ex-eye-eye" if you happen to be a Roman) as well as a six of "Ground Break" their American style saison. Also, picked up a White Gold as I had one the other night that had spent a long time in the stash and was gorgeous, showing lots of tangy beer gone bad quality. Had a couple of Cascazillas last night at Moosewood, too.
Daniel Bordage - July 12, 2010 3:23 PM
I agree with the Pretty Things beers. I bought the Jack d'Or and the Field Mouse's Farewell... some of my favs...
I also tried one called Matilda. It's made in Illinois and I can't wait until I can put my hands on it again...
Mint - July 17, 2010 5:58 AM
Matilda is brewed by Goose Island. I haven't had it, but I do have a bottle of Sofie on hand. It's made by the same brewery. I'll probably drink it this weekend.