Planning a trip to the Adirondacks and want to enjoy some of the best craft beer in New York? If so then check out this ultra-rad guide to the best breweries in Lake George, NY.
See, this wicked awesome small town in New York sits right on the lake.
But, when you’re not swimming in some of the best swimming holes in NY or skiing in the nearby mountains, you’ll wan to step inside some of the best craft breweries Lake George NY has to offer.
I mean, the food is great, the brews are unique, and the atmosphere is hella fun.
After all, I have been coming to Lake George NY at least twice a year – and have lived on and off in the region – for well over thirty years. I also love me a good brew…or two.
Therefore, I know exactly where to go if you’re looking for an epic beer that is served to you at some of the best bars in Lake George.
So, stop stressing and start enjoying your trip to the Adirondacks with this awesome local guide.
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Table of Contents
Local Guide to the Best Breweries in Lake George NY
1. Adirondack Pub and Brewery
Adirondack Pub and Brewery was founded by John Carr after he became fascinated by the beers he encountered while backpacking through Europe.
Then, once back home, he decided to brew his own beers, aiming to create natural, great-tasting, and refreshing drinks – perfect for a summer day.
He opened a cozy brewpub next door to the brewery in 1999, and you’ll find a selection of his excellent craft beers on tap.
The range includes the crisp, copper-colored Bear Naked Ale and the light, refreshing Dirty American pale ale (my personal fave and what I order when I visit).
Additionally, the cabin-inspired restaurant at this Lake George brewery gives you serious Adirondack vibes while offering a range of mouthwatering dishes.
Yeah, epic dishes on offer include steaks, salads, and burgers. Personally, I LOVE the fish fry but the ribs are good too. Just order some extra sauce on the side since they can be a bit dry for my taste.
Finally, head out to the deck/patio in the summer since a great place to eat. It’s crowded (always) but nice and the service is good.
Address: 33 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845
Hours: Open Wednesday/Thursday from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Price: Most entrees are around $15.00/$16.00 each.
2. 163 Tap Room
This Lake George craft beer bar has a well-curated selection of 16 beers on tap alongside canned and bottled beers.
The range of draft beers changes regularly, but you can expect to see beers from local Adirondack breweries (think Lake Placid breweries) and well-known national companies.
However, if you’re not feeling the beers then you can always get ciders, wines, and spirits.
Plus, the drinks at one of the best bars in Lake George are complimented by a full food menu featuring everything from nachos and quesadillas to burgers and tacos.
They also serve up excellent wings that come slathered in a range of tasty sauces, making them a great accompaniment to your craft beer!
Local Tip: The food here is kind of hit or miss but this is a good place to eat right in the center of town. I have had great things here and some not-so-good things.
Personally, I would order the fresh baked Bavarian pretzels and the BBQ Jerk/Hot Garlic Romano wings.
Address: 163 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845
Hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 12:00 am
Price: Full wings are like $12.00 each.
3. Bolton Landing Brewing Company
Bolton Landing Brewing Company was founded in 2017 by father and son brewers John and Brendan Murnane.
This family-owned Lake George brewery creates delicious beers in its own 7-barrel brewhouse.
The brewery’s taproom overlooks Lake George, NY, and serves a rotating selection of its own craft beers, including lagers, IPAs, sours, and ales.
Favorites include the Black Mountain Porter, brewed with cold brew coffee for layers of chocolate, coffee, and licorice flavor, and the Pinnacle Sunrise, which is a crisp and refreshing American light lager perfect for summer evenings.
Yeah, I am personally a Pinnacle Sunrise girl but I’ve always liked lighter beers TBH.
Also, deffo check out the food at this popular Lake George brewpub as well. The menu features pub food grub like wings, brats, and burgers to go with your beer.
Yeah, I just love that this Lake George brewery is centrally located and offers plenty of parking.
Address: 4933 Lake Shore Dr, Bolton Landing, NY 12814
Hours: Open Wednesday/Thursday from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Price: Most drinks are $8.00 and under.
4. Common Roots Brewing Company
Common Roots Brewing Company first opened its doors to the community in December 2014.
Today, this Lake George brewery is built on the core values of environmental sustainability, healthy living, social responsibility, and inclusiveness.
In fact, they operate as a non-profit community brewery and try to minimize their environmental impact as much as possible.
As well as using the latest technology to lower their carbon footprint, they send spent brewing grain to local farms to use as animal feed and compostable waste is turned into fertilizer at a local worm farm.
Their three core beers can be enjoyed on draft in the Common Roots Taproom, along with selected seasonal and rotating beers.
These include their hoppy IPAs, sours, lagers, and bold, roasty stouts.
The taproom also offers full-service dining with a menu that showcases locally sourced produce, with walk-up window service available in the outdoor Biergarten.
Just don’t leave without getting the Nashville Blues Burger. Yeah, the meat is this epic blend of beef and pork that is truly epic.
FYI, you can also get their beer at the Georgian Resort. They also make nice coffee.
Address: 58 Saratoga Ave, South Glens Falls, NY 12803
Hours: Open Monday/Wednesday/Thursday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Price: Around $6.00 per beer.
5. Northway Brewing Co.
This Adirondack brewery is located 30 miles from Lake George (it’s a lot closer than it sounds), just outside Queensbury.
They aim to create craft beers that celebrate the landscape and the people who bring you some of the best breweries in Lake George.
Popular brews include the full-bodied Burly Beard nitro oatmeal stout, the crisp German-style Perfect Day Pilsner, and their smooth Miracle on Ice golden ale, which raises much-needed funds for charities.
So, Northway Brewing Co. is one of the best Lake George breweries if you like to have a wide variety of beers to choose from.
Plus, it has a spacious taproom with 25 draft beers on tap alongside bottles and cans, with full pours, flights, and growlers all on offer (I like the Apple Pie Ale).
Then, in warmer months, you can enjoy your drink in the large outdoor seating area.
Plus, you can get BBQ from the Streaking Moose food truck on-site while enjoying live music and trivia nights.
Address: 1043 US-9, Queensbury, NY 12804
Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Price: Varies
6. Davidson Brothers Brewpub
Located ten miles south of Lake George in Glen Falls, NY, Davidson Brothers Brewpub is a relaxed brewpub.
They serve a variety of excellent handcrafted beers, brewed fresh on the premises, alongside selected guest draughts.
The Davidson Brothers Brewpub signature series includes an IPA, several different ales, and an oatmeal stout.
However, my fave is the popular Ryley Summer since it is a drinkable Irish Red Ale with a subtle hoppy zest.
Although, if you’re still struggling to choose, why not try one of their amazing beer flights?
This Lake George brewpub also has a friendly restaurant with a large outdoor patio.
The casual menu features everything from salads and sandwiches to burgers, tacos, and entrees. There’s even a canine menu that is sure to keep any of your four-legged friends happy!
My friends with kids also love coming here since there is a nice kid room upstairs. We also all love their Agave Spice rubbed wings! Yeah, they are award-winning for a reason.
Address: 184 Glen St, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Hours: Open Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm.
Price: Most food is around $18.00.
7. Mean Max Brew Works
Mean Max Brew Works is a Lake George brewery that uses traditional brewing methods to create distinctively different craft beers.
Yeah, they don’t believe in rushing beer here. Instead, they take the time to ferment their unfiltered ales and lagers naturally and without additives.
The result is that Mean Max Brew Works brews a wide range of beers. So, whether you enjoy a light lager, fruity sour, hazy New England IPA, or a dark brown ale, this is one of the best breweries in Lake George for you.
Now, while The Mean Max Brew Works brewery is in Glen Falls, they have taprooms in both Glen Falls, NY, and Troy, NY.
So, these are ideal places to relax with friends over one of Mean Max Brew Works’ excellent beers.
Just know that they do NOT serve food. However, you are allowed to bring your own food and they always have great live music too.
Address: 193 Glen St #2, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Hours: Open Tuesday through Thursday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Price: Varies
8. Cooper’s Cave Ale Company
Cooper’s Cave Ale Company believes great beer needs excellent ingredients. So, they use only the finest grains, hops, and yeast to create their fabulous craft beers.
Now, all the beers produced at this Lake George brewery are unfiltered and naturally carbonated to give you a superior drinking experience.
Plus, their popular brewpub has a regularly updated selection of draft beers from a range including ales, IPAs, porters, and stouts.
So, this might include their light Citrus Ale, creamy Black IPA, or Black and Blue, which is a tasty mix of light Bluesberry Ale and Sagamore Stout.
Alongside the excellent beers, the bar serves wine, cocktails, and gourmet sodas.
However, you can also enjoy food from an extensive menu that features burgers, wraps, and other entrees. Whatever you do, don’t forget to leave room for their homemade ice cream!
You’ll also love that happy Hour runs daily from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with great deals on beers, wines, ciders, and seltzers.
Local Tip: For anyone who doesn’t drink, the soda sampler is lovely, as are the Rueben and the delicious lava cake.
Address: 2 Sagamore St, Glens Falls, NY 12801
Hours: Open daily from 11:30 am to 8:00 pm.
Price: Beers are around $5.00 each.
Best Breweries in Lake George that are Nearby
9. Artisanal Brew Works
You’ll find Artisanal Brew Works around 30 miles south of Lake George in Saratoga Springs, NY.
This brewer-owned Lake George brewery constantly innovates and experiments in its quest for great beer.
Now, Artisanal Brew Works is famous across the USA for their Warheads® Extreme Sour candy ales and hard seltzers.
Thanks to their delicious beers, they’re also known as one of the best breweries in the Lake George area.
The range includes hazy IPAs, fruity sours, crisp Belgian-style beers, and full-bodied stouts.
So, you can relax with one of their beers in the 617 Maple Ave Taproom, which also hosts live music, trivia nights, and fundraisers.
Plus, the taproom’s menu features pub grub classics like burgers, tacos, pizzas, and homemade apple pie (whoop, whoop).
Happy hour appetizers are also available from opening to 6:00 pm from Tuesday through Friday. Oh, and they are dog-friendly and even have cornhole (HOORAY).
Address: 617 Maple Ave Unit D, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Hours: Open Tuesday/Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Thursday through Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Price: Beers start at $3.00 each for a four-ounce pour.
10. Druthers Brewing Co
Druthers Brewing Co. has just one purpose – to create excellent beer. So, this aim guides every decision they make, resulting in high-quality brews that delight craft beer enthusiasts.
Now, their microbrewery in Saratoga Springs is home to a lively brewpub with a great beer garden.
You can even enjoy a regularly changing selection of craft beers from the Druthers Brewing Co. range, with their signature beers on tap all year round.
This brewpub also serves delicious homemade food cooked using locally sourced ingredients, with its menu updated four times annually to suit the season.
Just know that the food here is good but more snacks than a full meal. That being said, the Buffalo Chicken Dip and Smoked Wings are both delish.
Plus, you’ll find other Druthers Brewing Co. locations in nearby Schenectady and Albany, NY.
Address: 381 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm.
Price: Beers are around $4.00 each.
11. Paradox Brewery (NY)
Sitting in the heart of the Adirondack mountains, Paradox Brewery is an independent craft brewery founded by former Army pilot Paul Mrocka.
Voted “Best of the Adirondacks” in 2021, Paradox Brewery creates beers using water from 600 feet below the Adirondack Park, which is so pure that it doesn’t need filtering or purification treatments.
This water is combined with the highest quality hops and malts to create exceptional Adirondack beers that everyone will love.
Additionally, many Paradox Brewery craft beers come with a European twist, including German-style helles, Czech-style pilsner, and Belgian-style dark ale.
They also brew innovative IPAs and an American amber lager too.
Paradox Brewery even offers guided brewery tours, and the tasting room at this Adirondack brewery is a great place to enjoy one of their beers with a burger, pizza, or poutine.
Address: 2781 US-9, North Hudson, NY 12855
Hours: Open Wednesday/Thursday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Price: Pizzas are like $20.00 each.
12. Slyboro Ciderhouse
If you enjoy craft beer but feel in the mood for something different, why not visit Slyboro Ciderhouse
Located 30 miles east of Lake George in Granville, NY, the team at Slyboro Ciderhouse is passionate about reviving the lost craft of “true cider.”
So, their award-winning hard ciders are made using their own orchard-grown apples, offering a refreshing alternative to wines and beers for any occasion.
This Lake George cidery also produces both still and sparkling ciders, with sweet and dry options in the range. So, there really is a cider out there for everyone.
In fact, the Black Currant and Montmorency Cherry ciders make a delicious change from regular apple cider, and the Pommore apple brandy is similar to American Calvados.
Plus, this cozy cider house is the perfect spot to relax with a cider on a cold day in winter in Lake George.
They even have a local beer on tap and offer a small range of cocktails, while on weekends, you can enjoy wood-fired pizza on the outdoor deck.
Address: 18 Hicks Rd, Granville, NY 12832
Hours: Open Monday/Thursday/Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Price: Varies
Map of the Best Breweries Lake George NY
Best Breweries in Lake George FAQs
What is the Oldest Brewery in Upstate New York?
The Genesee Brewing Company in Rochester, New York, can claim to be the oldest brewery in New York and one of the largest and oldest breweries in the USA.
The Genesee Brewing Company produces craft beers, including the iconic Genesee Original Cream Ale and the refreshing Genny Light.
See, the brewery was founded in 1878 and is now part of FIFCO USA, the largest independent beer company in the USA.
What is the Most Popular Beer in New York State?
The number crunchers at Grillio ran the figures from Google Trends and discovered that the most popular type of beer in New York State is either ale or pilsner.
Now, when it comes to beer brands, the data shows that Corona is the most popular beer brand in New York State.
What is the World’s Best Brewery?
According to Binwise, the Cantillon Brewery in Brussels, Belgium, is the best brewery in the world. Its beer cellars and brewing equipment date back to 1900, and it’s an excellent spot for beer tasting.
What is the Largest Brewery in New York State?
The largest New York State brewery is the Anheuser-Busch InBev Baldwinsville plant which has four 1,000-barrel brew kettles.
This is just one of 12 US breweries owned by AB InBev, a Belgian multinational brewing company and the world’s largest brewer.
There you have it! That just about wraps up this guide to the best breweries in Lake George.
Tell me, did your picks for the best craft breweries Lake George, NY has to offer make the list? If not then let me know!
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