Best brewery for summer atmosphere/experience

Discussion in 'New England' started by Spaceman_Jer, Jul 17, 2021.

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  1. Spaceman_Jer

    Spaceman_Jer Pooh-Bah (1,688) Jan 27, 2015 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    A buddy and I from out West are planning a meandering trip generally from Syracuse/Cooperstown area working our way eventually to Portland, ME. We are very open as far as route is concerned.

    I'm looking for advice on breweries (or even taprooms) anywhere in that region from NY, VT, NH, and ME that offer the best atmosphere and experience to just sit and enjoy in summer time. In other words quality beer is of interest, but the feel and atmosphere is the number 1 consideration.

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and if anyone wants similiar advice for Colorado send me a message.
     
  2. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Permit me to 'start' your beer journey. A visit to Ommegang in Cooperstown is a must:

    [​IMG]

    Cheers!
     
  3. Stormfield

    Stormfield Savant (1,065) Feb 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    My favorite place to drink beer in the summer is Marshall Wharf, Belfast, ME. It’s almost two hours north of Portland, but if you take the Maine Coastal Route 1 on the way up, you will enjoy the drive tremendously. MW makes decent beers, opinions vary. I haven’t been in a few years, but I love the place, and you will find many others who agree. The atmosphere is tremendous. On your way up from Portland you can also hit Maine Beer Co. in Freeport and Oxbow in Newcastle.
     
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  4. ColdOne

    ColdOne Maven (1,346) Jan 19, 2013 New York
    Trader

    Two Goats in Hector (east side of Seneca Lake) is one of my favorite spots for a beautiful view. It's southwest of Syracuse, so probably doesn't make sense with your route.
     
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  5. skivtjerry

    skivtjerry Pooh-Bah (1,865) Mar 10, 2006 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    I always enjoy the beer garden at Lost Nation in Morrisville, VT. The von Trapp bier house in Stowe is pretty nice too.
     
  6. jonphisher

    jonphisher Grand Pooh-Bah (3,850) Aug 9, 2015 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Lawson’s is a really nice place to have a beer. Beautiful indoor as well as outdoor space. I’d rank it up there with my favorite taproom experiences.
     
  7. SABERG

    SABERG Grand Pooh-Bah (5,001) Sep 16, 2007 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    All the VT sites mentioned I completey agree with,
    New to WMass this year is
    The brewery at 4 Star farms in Northfield MA
    Cheers
     
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  8. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader

    Wayward Lane brewing in Scoharie is a must-stop. If you're coming from Cooperstown towards Albany you'll go right past it, and its got a gorgeous indoor-outdoor taproom and what they consider a big 'beer meadow.'

    If you're gonna be in 'Cuse, the best vibes are at Freight Yard like 6-7 miles north of the city. Very good beer, too, but just an awesome outdoor area.

    Meier's Creek in Cazenovia (outside 'Cuse) has gorgeous outdoor seating.

    7 Hamlets outside of Utica is a cool spot. Huge wrap-around patio to drink on, rocking chairs, plenty of other various outdoor seating.

    Bagg's Square in Utica has a nice courtyard to drink in, the indoors taproom is stunning and you're right across the street from a goddamn beautiful old art deco train station so that's cool to look at.

    S&S Farm Brewing outside of Albany is on your way to mass and has a gorgeous farm/rustic vibe and a ton of outdoor seating, but they have odd hours so make sure to check that before heading there.
     
    #8 IGaveYouPower, Jul 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2021
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  9. TomFoley

    TomFoley Pundit (945) Mar 19, 2005 Pennsylvania

    That building on the left in the Ommegang photo was not there the last time I was at BCTC.
     
  10. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader


    Whole new taproom.

    Which is great because the last one STUNK. The grounds have always been incredible but that taproom felt like you were drinking in a Mariott lobby. Which I'm very much not above but it's also not the experience I want at a place like Ommegang.
     
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  11. ColdOne

    ColdOne Maven (1,346) Jan 19, 2013 New York
    Trader

    I gotta say I was not pleased with my most recent visit to Ommegang (two weeks ago). I was camping nearby and stopped in for a few beers with some friends. They wouldn't offer us anywhere to sit if we weren't ordering food--except for a few seats on the outside of their tent that were clearly getting soaked from the rain. I've never gone to a brewery where you weren't allowed to sit down and enjoy a beer. I've been visiting Ommegang off and on from the beginning, but after this I couldn't necessarily recommend it.
     
  12. Jacobier10

    Jacobier10 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,102) Feb 23, 2004 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I thought the same exact thing when I saw Jack's photo. I've camped out for BCTC several times in that exact spot where the photo was taken and I didn't remember that building there. Glad it wasn't just my memory fading :slight_smile:
     
  13. bubseymour

    bubseymour Grand Pooh-Bah (4,800) Oct 30, 2010 Maryland
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    That drive is going to be wonderful for you. Beautiful country, If you send us you tentative planned route from Cooperstown to Portland, we could probably help with some minor beercation detours for you.
     
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  14. Greyvtrayn

    Greyvtrayn Savant (1,058) Feb 17, 2017 New Jersey
    Trader

    For atmosphere I have to second Von Trappe. The scenery is gorgeous.
     
  15. Flashy

    Flashy Pooh-Bah (1,767) Oct 22, 2003 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Von Trapp, Fort Hill. Good question, because many places are in industrial parks.
     
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  16. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader



    That's garbage, and I absolutely would not go back to a please that wouldn't allow me to sit somewhere to drink because I'm not also ordering food.
     
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  17. MNtoMA

    MNtoMA Aspirant (245) Jun 23, 2015 Massachusetts

    The NY-MA-NH-ME route: Tree House, Cambridge, Notch (Salem location), Great Marsh, Oxbow (Portland location), Allagash (yes, industrial park but they've made it cozy and, well, they're the best)
    The NY-VT-NH-ME route: Lawson's, Hill Farmstead, Schilling, Oxbow (Oxford location), Allagash
     
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  18. wasatchback

    wasatchback Pooh-Bah (1,574) Jan 12, 2014 Tajikistan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I’d second most of this but might add a few stops pre-Lawson’s. Although I guess you might need to define what your ideal feel/atmosphere is.

    Germantown/Hudson is a touch out of the way but if they open the tap room I’d highly recommend a visit to Suarez. It’s the anti-taproom really, especially in today’s craft beer scene. All low ABV and very well executed. Taproom very much reflects their brand as a whole. Clean, simple, spartan, but perfect for what it is. Dan’s brother owns and is the chef at Gaskins in town. Food is phenomenal and taplist is very tight. You can stay across the street from Gaskins at the Central House hotel. Cool old renovated B&B. Play cards on the deck while sipping some Palantine while time seems to stand still. I had a magical afternoon/evening in that little hamlet that I will never forget. Can’t recommend it enough if that’s your vibe. Chances are it might not be.

    If you decide not to go there Foley Brothers in Brandon, VT is on your way from Cooperstown to Lawson’s. (If you do go to Suarez it’s still on the way) I grew up in Brandon so if holds a special place in my heart. But this place is a unique spot IMHO. Order beers in a hundred year old barn they turned into a tasting room and sit outside on the lawn. You can even heckle some golfers if you feel the need as their lawn is about 20 feet away from the 5th green at Neshobe golf course (a cool little public track that’s very affordable). Then make your way over Brandon gap, watch out for moose, and make your way up Route 100 to Lawson’s.

    Alchemist in Stowe would be my next stop then Hill Farmstead is a must if you can get a reservation. Favorite place I’ve ever drank beer. Can’t recommend it enough.

    Schilling is stunning and the beers are very very well executed.
     
  19. IGaveYouPower

    IGaveYouPower Savant (1,070) Dec 2, 2010 New York
    Trader

    ^ To add to that, Red Clover Ale Project is also right in Brandon and one of the absolute best taprooms in all of New England. It's literally right over a river, so in the summer time you can drink in a bright, airy taproom and hear the sounds of the river underneath you. Beyond serene.

    The beer is absolutely fantastic, too.
     
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  20. BikeChef

    BikeChef Pundit (961) Dec 27, 2007 District of Columbia
    Society Trader

    Will be covering some of the same ground on the way to VT in early September. Saw Beer Tree in Port Crane on the map. Looks like a nice setting… how is the beer?
     
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