Ithaca / Jay New York

Ithaca brewing company is always enjoyable. Finger lakes beverage center in ithaca usually has a pretty good selection of stuff.

 

Bottle shops near Jay...you pretty much found the only one. If you don't mind traveling you should check out Ausable Brewing Co. in Keeseville. I believe they are open on Th, Fr, Sat....they have rotating food trucks as well. They have some decent beer. I recommend going on a nice day and sitting outside as their tasting room is small. They are building a pavilion though which may be done by now.

 

Great beer selections at the IthAca Wegmans grocery chain store also. Hit up the excellect weekend farmers market at Steam Boat landing and hike Robert Treman State park while in Ithaca. Taughannock Falls State park features a 200 ft water fall. With the rain we have been having lately-it will be spectacular.. Buttermilk falls State park and Ithaca Falls are also in the city limits.

 

Definitely Finger Lakes Beverage. If you're looking for beer selection at a restaurant, North Star would be a good one. What else are you doing in the area? I'm in Ithaca... feel free to hit me up for other suggestions.

 

If you're driving from Jay to Ithaca, there are three breweries in the Adirondacks that are close together and on the way: Blue Line, Great Adirondack, and Lake Placid.

Besides FLBC and Wegmans in Ithaca you also have two Ithaca Coffee Company locations that sell beer to go in bottles, cans and growlers. Somewhat smaller selection, but you can sit and order samples or full pours at their on-site taverns.

And if you weren't already aware, there are many little breweries within easy striking distance of downtown Ithaca, too.

 

This is great - I'm also visiting the Finger Lakes for a few days on 4th of July weekend and have been researching beer spots. I really only have time for one brewery visit, and I was thinking of hitting Two Goats. I'll be in town from Sun-Weds so spots like Ithaca brewing and Abandon have operating hours that don't mesh well with my visit.

Would you all say that Two Goats would be the go-to spot if you had 1 place to pick, or am I overlooking another local option? As for restaurants, does North Star only pour local craft? I was also looking for a dinner spot with a local beer menu and wasn't coming up with anything too solid.

 

I love Two Goats, but for the atmosphere as much as the beer (and for the roast beef). They're improving, but it's not a required beer destination IMO. Then again, if Ithaca is out, why not? There's a distillery down the road from them that's a really fun, quick visit.

There's usually a variety at North Star, but honestly no restaurants have the selection that I'd prefer.

 

Hey mods, if this thread is going to be a thing, can we get a spelling edit on the subject heading? @FATC1TY? @blue-dream? Thanks, lovers.

 

Any smaller breweries showing any promise around 30 minutes from Ithaca? I'll be moving there at the end of July and just trying to get some intel. Any BA bottle shares or places that will you let BYOB for shares?

 

I'll second the Farmers Market stop. No beer there, but there's plenty of great food and some wine.

Here's a site that has all the breweries around the finger lakes.
http://fingerlakesbeertrail.com/content/
The Ithaca Ale house has a good selection of beers on tap as well.
Bandwagon brews some of their own beer that's on tap. Both Bandwagon and the Ale House are downtown.
Sadly you'll miss the fireworks if you're here on starting the 2nd. Ithaca is too cheap to do them on the 4th so we are doing them on the 1st this year.
Finger Lakes Beverage Center is a must stop as well.

Enjoy your visit to the Finger Lakes, and don't disappear.

 

Your wish is granted.

 

So much better. You just earned yourself a Flower Power!

 

Yes, Two Goats is worth a stop but it's a small place and can be very busy on weekends. Its deck is also one of the best brewery views in the Finger Lakes—hands down. A new brewery called Grist Iron is now open across the road. The view from its patio isn't bad either and the menu options are more extensive. Don't miss Ithaca Beer Co. though, the taproom-only offerings are usually quite good and the kitchen consistently puts out affordable, locally-sourced food. And East of Ithaca, Hopshire is a fun place too: friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere, plus 8-9 beers on tap and often a Finger Lakes cider.

 

@Keene: I'll be playing tunes at Two Goats this Friday with my band the Small Kings. Are you local?

 

Semi-local but frequently on the road. I'm not around this weekend but I'll check out the Small Kings website. Cheers!