Finger lakes

Wagner, on the East side of Seneca Lake, in Lodi, is worth a stop. Beautiful location, with both a brewery and a winery. Roosterfish in Watkins Glen is worth a quick stop. I haven't been, but Horseheads Brewing isn't too far away. And of course, as long as you're in the area, hop over to Ithaca. Hit Ithaca Brewing, and there are several good beer bars in town.

 

I moved to the Finger Lakes a few years ago and have been exploring the beer scene ever since. Seneca Lake is a great place to be! On the east side of the lake, Two Goats is my favorite spot; the beer is consistently good (the IPA is good but their pale ale is their best IMO) but the ambiance/view can't be beat. On the south end of the lake in Watkins Glen, check out Rooster Fish... Great food and a good IPA in Hop Warrior (and close to Horseheads too as beertunes mentioned). In Geneva on the north side Red Dove is our favorite restaurant, they always have local beers on tap and a rotating menu based on local produce and their food is absolutely delicious. Their house ale, Naked Dove Red Dove Ale, is a local beer that is deliciously hopped and smooth.

It's a little out of the way, but just up Routes 5 and 20 the Canandaigua brewery Naked Dove is very good, very sessionable full-flavored beers, and you can always stop at MacGregor's in Canandaigua which has a ton of taps with great options (although few local beers).

You've chosen a great place to drink some beers... If I had to choose 2, it would be Red Dove for a dinner experience and Two Goats for a few pints and an extraordinary view. Cheers!

 

I think Ithaca Beer's tasting room is still closed, but Finger Lakes Beverage still had loads of their stuff in stock when I was there a few weeks ago.

The only good places I know to stay are in Ithaca. There are plenty on Seneca Lake, but I've never stayed anywhere on the lake.

 

I have stayed at the the Hampton Inn in Geneva (north tip of the lake, opposite end than Ithaca)... i have been to Wagner (decent beer, better wine) same with 3 Brothers, those are good options with both things to sample at the same place.

Def try some Naked Dove, they have good brews.

 

Check out Starkeys-spectacular new facility-beer and wine on Seneca lake west shore opposite Glenora winery

 

For red wines try Shalestone on Seneca lake. Probably the best reds you will find in the finger lakes. I would check out one of the home rental sites for places to stay since there are so many cottages on the lake. Hammondsport is a great little town on keuka lake and the keuka lake brewing has some decent brews.

 

If you don't mind "rustic" the finger lakes waterfall 'resort' is cheap and... well... rustic. But the views are spectacular and it has its own waterfall. And canoe. 5 mins from Watkins glenn. And when I say cheap I mean 85$ cheap. Can't be beat. Unless you're snooty and high maintenance =)

 

I posted a finger lakes thread last month and got some good responses. Search for it. Its prob back on page 3 or something. On my phone so no can do

 

McGregor's Vineyard on Keuka is a good one.

 

http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/finger-lakes-niagara-recommendations.36625/

i enjoyed Mcgregor's for the atmosphere (and cheese) the most. and free glass.
the best wine i had, though, was from Ravines and Shalestone.
Lakewood was pretty good, too. had a good port and mead + tej that they make along with wines.
also... Earle Estates Meadery goes without saying.

Roosterfish is a must stop. Try to go at night when there is hopefully the bluegrass band playing that was there when i was. I think it was a weekend.

and here's the website for Finger Lakes Waterfall Resort. http://home.htva.net/~goldenknightinn/finger_lake_waterfall_resort.htm

 

Here's a link to Finger Lakes Beer Trail. It's fairly comprehensive and well put together:

http://fingerlakesbeertrail.com/content/

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the beers I had at Rooster Fish in the Watkins Glen area. I recommend it. I remember after a couple beers there I walked to the lake and snapped some beautiful pictures of the lake at sunset.

 

Atwater, Damiani, Shalestone, Herman J Weimer are all great wineries on Seneca lake.

 

Have you checked out Leaf Kitchen in Geneva? It's similarly focused on local produce and they have a nice beer selection to boot. They just moved next to Dana's Time Out on 5 and 20. I generally alternate between Leaf and Red Dove and Leaf when I get up that way. Also, Microclimate a newish wine bar has some solid beers available as well.

 

Just be careful with the Beer Trail site. There are many 'Tasting Rooms' that have beer brewed for them by a brewery that are listed as either a 'Brewery' or a 'Brewpub'. Not to say that some of these places aren't worth going or that the beer isn't worth tasting, but if you are looking for a place that actually makes the beer on premise then you need to check things out a little further.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Roosterfish Hefe is one of the best you'll try
Thier Mussels are also a must have..they give you plenty and its like 11 bucks!
Also you must look up Jon at Two Goats brewing......Can't beat anything there!

 

We just want to clarify that all the locations on the Finger Lakes Beer Trail offer only beer brewed locally in the Finger Lakes region. Our mission is to promote the vibrant craft brewing culture of the Finger Lakes region and we fully support the role that all breweries and/or tasting rooms play in this experience.

Theresa Hollister and Adam Smith, co-founders Finger Lakes Beer Trail
http://fingerlakesbeertrail.com
http://www.facebook.com/FLBeerTrail
http://twitter.com/FLBeerTrail