Can't Miss Craft Beverages on Your Fresh Air Adventure
No Fresh Air Adventure is complete without trying something new! If you love kicking back with a pint of local brew or trying something unusual on your vacation, you’re in good company here. We’ve rounded up the best of the best on our craft beverage scene for your sipping, sampling, and tasting pleasure. Cheers!
Where: Medina, NY
Dating back to biblical times, mead was one of the earliest fermented drinks enjoyed by our ancestors. Traditionally made with honey, 810 Meadworks puts a modern twist on a classic drink with infusions of agave, pomegranates, tea leaves, and more! As the founders say, if you don’t like mead, you just haven’t tried the right one yet. Made with simple ingredients and inspired by unique pairings, you won’t try mead like this anywhere else. And best of all, there’s an ax throwing range onsite!
Where: Warsaw, NY
Opened in 2015, Amber Lantern was Wyoming County’s first brew pub. Their delicious menu of pub classics pairs perfectly with the wide selection of local beers. Family owned and operated, Amber Lantern is the epitome of small-town hospitality, with generous pours, big portions, and hearty fare. From mac and cheese to burgers and quesadillas, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here.
Where: Byron, NY
Black Creek Cidery, located in the fertile Genesee Valley in Western New York, brings a traditional hard cider reminiscent of years past. Produced with a blend of locally sourced apples, and pressed and processed within the region, Black Creek Cidery has made the commitment to presenting you with a true “tree to glass” experience. Their grandfather’s recipe, along with being crafted in a time-honored slow, cold-aged wood barrel process, has created a classic hard cider with a smooth finish. Their family-operated cidery is proud to present you with a finely crafted cider rooted in good taste and tradition.
Where: Batavia, NY
Welcome to the first brewery in downtown Batavia! Named after a pioneering brew master of the region from the 1900s, Eli Fish honors the traditions of the masters that came before while creating new stories and legacies for today. Located in a historic department store, Eli Fish shares their space with a unique restaurant incubator so there’s always something new to try with your pint. Play a round of Bocce Ball, hear live music, or just enjoy dinner. With a rotating tap of Eli Fish brews and local ciders, you just may find your new favorite beer. Not sure what to try first? The Heavy Maple won Gold and the prestigious Governor’s Cup in the 2021 NYS Craft Beer Competition, while the Tiga Queen won Best NYS Beer!
Where: Andover, NY
Kent Beer Company has been crafting farm-fresh brews since 1997, and you can taste the passion in every sip. Located on a working farm in Andover, the brewery prides themselves on crafting their beers with only the freshest local ingredients. Their unique take on classic flavors has delicious results, like the Pruners Pale Ale made with farm-grown spruce tips. Owned and operated by the same local family for decades, you can take in the scenic sights of the rolling acres and wide-open sky when you stop by for a pint!
Mortalis Brewing Company
Where: Avon
At Mortalis, beer is about more than the hops or the brewing process- it’s about the connections formed when you sit around with a good drink and better comapny. Here you’ll find a relaxed and unpretentious taproom, perfect for kicking back for a brew or two with a friend. Moratalis prides themselves on a range of delicious and often unconventional beers made from the finest ingredients. Can’t stay? Swing by and grab beer to go!
Where: Perry, NY
Just up the road from Letchworth State Park, the Siler Lake Brewing Project is the perfect place to quench your thirst after a long day of adventuring. The brewery is housed in a historic building that has also served as a newspaper printing press, movie house, luncheonette, and horse stable. The beers made here are brewed with an appreciation for the agricultural landscape of the region, and rotate to reflect the changes of season and harvest time. Described as rustic farmhouse with a bold and clean American palette, Silver Lake just may be your new favorite microbrewery.
Where: Medina
Opened in 2011, Steampunk Cider is an extension of Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Lynoaken Farms, the latter of which began in 1919. Best described as an infusion of Old-World style and New World flair, Steampunk produces a range of award-winning ciders made exclusively from apples in the orchard. Flavors range from sweet and tart to citrus and spiced. The Winery also hosts several steampunk-themed events throughout the year!
Where: Wellsville, NY
Happy hour never ends at Wellsville Brewing Company! Stop in this renovated brewery on historic Main Street and grab a pint or a flight of their custom brews while you browse the menu. They have shareable snack plates as well as menus from local restaurants. If beers aren’t pleasing to your palette, they also carry Glenora Wines. Each of their beers has a name tied to the history of the owners or the town, so be sure to ask before you order. Play a board game while you drink or put your mind to the test with a puzzle!
Where: Strykersville, NY
Welcome to the first custom brew center in Western NY! Windy Brew is more than an exceptional microbrewery – they’re also the only place where visitors can brew their own beer! Book an appointment with their master brewers and get to work crafting the beer of your dreams. While you’re there, try a flight of their microbrews, ranging from hoppy IPAs to light ales and seasonal brews. Best of all, Windy Brew is also dog friendly!
