I'm taking a ride to Ithaca from MA later this week. Wondering if there are any must-hit breweries on the way or around the area? Also looking for any really awesome beer bars or beer shops. Mainly looking to try as many good beers that I can't get in MA as possible. Any input would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Well you could go down 84 then take route 6 over to peekskill brewery. Then you could pop into Rushing Duck off of 17 in Chester, NY. Then take 17 to Binghamton and go to Galaxy Brewing. Then go 81 north and then 79 West to Ithaca.
Ommegang isn't far off your course if you're doing the 90 to 88 to 81 route. They don't usually have much there that you couldn't get anywhere, but it's a beautiful locale.
Oh crap! I didn't realize anyone had been responding. Thanks a lot guys! I'm gonna research all this stuff right now.
Feel free to BM for any more specific questions about Ithaca. Restaurants, bars, music… I've got answers!
Was just up in Ithica from PA, I'll second the Finger Lakes Beverage Center...great selection. We were going to try Bandwagon, but its only open after 4 or 5pm, so don't plan on lunch there. The Finger Lakes Beer trail link above does have some good stops on it if you're willing to travel...2 Goats on Seneca Lake, Abandon Brewing in Pen Yan is great, Naked Dove is a bit farther away.
Hit 11 breweries this weekend. Quite a few in Ithaca area or surrounding areas. Bandwagon like mentioned before has some nice beers, Ithaca brewing has remodeled and has a wonderful beer garden. Buttermilk falls state park is nearby and offers some excellent hiking and spectacular waterfalls if you're feeling ambitious. Quite a few breweries and tandom breweries/wineries along Seneca Lake. Two Goats is a must do. Great view of the lake. Look at my thread I posted. Lots of great beers were had. Ithaca Coffee Co has a nice selection of beers you can buy singles of. Landed Westbrook Gose that I can't get around here.
