If you love beer almost as much as you love life itself then this guide to the best Seneca Lake breweries is for you.
And that’s because I am a 30+ year New York local who has been to the Finger Lakes more times than I can count.
Plus, every time I am in the area I stop by the best Seneca Lake Breweries since this part of the region serves up some of the best craft beers around.
But, not all the breweries Seneca Lake has to offer are top-notch. So, use this epic local guide to figure out which breweries are worth your time.
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Table of Contents
Best Seneca Lake Breweries
1. Seneca Lake Brewing Company & The Beerocracy
The Seneca Lake Brewing Company brews and serves delicious ales since the Seneca Lake brewery was founded in 2014 by Bradley Gillett.
And with this purchase, Bradley has brought a touch of his native England to the Seneca Lake Beer Trail with his Tudor-style British pub, The Beerocracy.
They serve a range of real ales that include everything from the light biscuit (cookie) flavor of Baker Street British-style bitter to the roasted coffee and chocolate of Archie’s dark mild ale to the rich to their full-bodied Steamship stout.
In fact, this stout was a Bronze Medal winner at the 2021 NYS Craft Beer Competition.
And since Seneca Lake Brewing Company is located on the edge of Seneca Lake, this pub is the ideal place to catch up with friends and family over a drink and some pub grub.
Additionally, they host regular food and music events and offer epic spots for glamping in upstate New York, making this a perfect base for which to explore the best Seneca Lake breweries.
Also a perfect place to stop if you’re visiting Watkins Glen.
Address: 4520 NY-14, Rock Stream, NY 14878, United States
Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Sunday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Price: Beers start at $6.00 each.
2. Brewery Ardennes Taproom & Kitchen
Brewery Ardennes is a craft brewery located in Geneva, on the western coast of Seneca Lake in New York State.
They follow Belgian-style beer-making methods, using carefully sourced ingredients and traditional techniques to produce high-quality beers.
Beers available at this Seneca Lake brewery include light Belgian lagers and blonde beers, fruity sours, and rich malty ales.
In fact, they’ve even won numerous awards, including New York Belgian-Style Brewery of the Year at the 2023 New York International Beer Competition.
Their beers are also perfectly paired with a delicious farm-to-table menu, including a special Sunday brunch.
Additionally, they have on-site tasting sessions that are hosted by a Brewmaster. So, you’ll learn about their Belgian beer styles and brewing methods, while enjoying a tasting flight and barrel samplings.
Food and beer pairing sessions are also available on select dates, hosted by the Brewmaster and Head Chef.
However, spaces are strictly limited for these tasting sessions, so booking ahead is advised.
Address: 570 Snell Rd, Geneva, NY 14456, United States
Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Price: Varies
3. Big Alice Brewing Finger Lakes
Big Alice Brewing is a New York State farm brewery that opened its third location in the Finger Lakes in 2021.
Set on stunning grounds, this Seneca Lake brewery and taproom is a proud part of the Finger Lakes craft beer scene.
After all, farm breweries are established to support local and state agriculture. So, Big Alice Brewing founders Kyle Hurst and Scott Berger source their fresh organic ingredients from local hop farmers and maltsters.
They then brew creative small-batch beers, preserving seasonal flavors through their delicious beers.
These include NYS Pils Pilsner, brewed with 100% NY state ingredients, and Long Way Home American ale, a farmhouse ale brewed using NY ingredients and native yeast.
In total, the Big Alice Brewing Finger Lakes taproom has 16 draught lines pouring award-winning beers created by this Seneca Lake brewery.
It’s also a family and dog-friendly venue that regularly hosts live music events that are well complimented by a food truck, on-site Thursday through Sunday, that serves delicious wings, lobster rolls, and more.
Address: 4180 NY-14, Geneva, NY 14456, United States
Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday/Saturday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and on Sunday from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Price: Starts at $5.00 each.
4. Two Goats Brewing
Two Goats Brewing is a locally-owned brewpub overlooking Seneca Lake NY, with a name inspired by one of the owner’s childhood pets.
Today the brewery is known for great beer and its signature sandwich – Beef-on-Weck.
Initially, though, this Seneca Lake brewery was opened in 2010 by Jon and Jess Rodgers inside a renovated, 19th-century barn.
Now, all of the ingredients used to make beer at one of the best Seneca Lake breweries are locally sourced – if possible.
So, enjoy a pint or a tasting flight while watching the sunset over Seneca Lake since this brewery serves a rotating selection of 20+ beers like Goatmaster, Headbutt, and Silly Goat.
They also offer a range of Finger Lakes wines, ciders, and soft drinks if you’re not a fan of beer.
Then, alongside your drink, enjoy a sandwich filled with slow-cooked local beef that is thinly sliced and topped with a mild creamy sauce that is piled onto a home-baked kimmelweck roll.
However, vegetarians won’t walk away hungry since a homemade hummus sandwich is also on offer.
If you want, you can even enjoy live music at Two Goats Brewing Thursday through Sunday, from June through September.
Address: 5027 NY-414, Burdett, NY 14818, United States
Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Price: Beers start at $5.00 each and flights are $12.00 each.
5. Wagner Valley Brewing Co.
You’ll find the Wagner Valley Brewing Co. at the Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery on the southeast end of Seneca Lake.
Founded in 1997, they were one of the first Finger Lakes breweries of them all and use German-style brewing that strictly adheres to the German Purity Law.
In fact, this law states that beer can only be made from the finest malt, hops, yeast, and water.
Therefore, this is one of the best breweries Seneca Lake has to offer that can boast of their high standards and that has been awarded numerous honors, like the World Beer Cup and Tap New York medals.
Now, self-hosted craft beer tasting sessions are held inside a dedicated tasting room and visitors can sample their current specialty brews along with a standard range of beers.
And when the weather permits, you can enjoy a drink outside on the lawn or deck, where seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Address: Brewery, 9322 NY-414, Lodi, NY 14860, United States
Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Price: Beer flights start at $8.00 each.
6. Lucky Hare Brewing
Opened in 2015, Lucky Hare Brewing started out in a 100+ year-old barn.
However, they soon outgrew their home and in 2018, the company moved to a state-of-the-art facility in Watkins Glen.
There, they installed Deutsche Beverage Technology Equipment, allowing them to ramp up production without compromising their excellent craft beer quality.
So, today, their range of beers includes a variety of lagers, IPAs, sours, barrel-aged stouts, and a flagship Extra Special Bitter (ESB).
They’ve even revived a historic beer, the Glen Ale, which used to be produced in Watkins Glen over 90 years ago.
Additionally, brewery tours are available to members of the Hare Club and take place in the Watkins Glen production facility.
So, club members can spend the day learning about the brewing process, sampling beers, and getting their hands dirty in the brewery.
Then, after your tour, enjoy a Lucky Hare beer with a delicious burger at the Babe’s Burger quick-service burger shack.
Address: 6085 Beckhorn Rd, Hector, NY 14841, United States
Hours: Open Sunday through Tuesday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and then Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Price: Beers start at $4.00 each.
7. Scale House Brewing
The team at Scale House Brewing knows what it takes to create excellent craft beers.
In fact, their beers are so good that in 2021, they were named Finger Lakes Brewery of the Year AND picked up a Gold medal at the New York International Beer Competition.
Now, The Scale House Brewing range includes a ton of different beers like their crisp Scale House Cream Ale, a hoppy West Coast style IPA, or a rich Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels.
Or, if you’re struggling to choose, why not try one of their four-beer flights?
Availability changes frequently, so check with your server to see what beers are on tap when you visit.
However, wines, ciders, and soft drinks are also available for any non-beer drinkers out there, along with an epic food menu that includes quesadillas, calzones, and gourmet pizzas.
You can also stop by for one of their regular live music events too. Just check their website for the upcoming schedule.
Address: 5930 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841, United States
Hours: Open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Price: Beers start at $5.00 each.
8. Grist Iron Brewing
Grist Iron Brewing has been producing the finest hand-crafted ales since 2015. In fact, they promise visitors will find ‘Good Times Always On Tap.’
Centrally located on the Finger Lakes Beer Trail, this Seneca Lake brewery is situated upon 150 acres of land that sits high above Seneca Lake.
Therefore, anyone looking for the best Seneca Lake breweries can enjoy breathtaking views along with a fantastic variety of 15 different beers on tap.
And these rich and delicious beers include everything from lagers to fruited sours to IPA varieties that will satisfy any craft beer fan.
Even the food is exceptional at Grist Iron Brewing. So, just choose from a delicious array of sandwiches, pizzas, and more, with options available for vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diets.
And if you want to extend your Seneca Lake breweries visit or explore the Finger Lakes area as a whole, you can book luxurious accommodations at their historic Farmhouse overlooking Lake Seneca.
Address: 4880 NY-414, Burdett, NY 14818, United States
Hours: Open Sunday through Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Thursday from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and Friday/Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Price: Varies
9. Seneca Stag Brewing
Seneca Stag Brewing Company is a new addition to the Seneca Lake brewery scene and is an incredible farm brewery located near the village of Penn Yan on the western shore of Seneca Lake.
They combine traditional flavors, locally-sourced ingredients, and modern brewing techniques to create excellent hand-crafted beers.
The rustic setting of a refurbished hay barn also offers guests the perfect environment in which to sample their incredible brews.
In fact, the decor here pays homage to the culture of traditional German Biergarten.
Therefore, this is an ideal place to meet up with friends and enjoy a pint as you chow down on BBQ pork sandwiches, homemade beer pretzels, and tempting charcuterie plates.
Just don’t forget to check their website for details on regular live music and bingo nights.
Address: 1720 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527, United States
Hours: Open daily from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, except on Friday/Saturday nights when they are open until 9:00 pm and on Sunday when they are open until 6:00 pm.
Price: Varies
10. Climbing Bines Hop Farm
Climbing Bines Hop Farm is a small-batch, farm-to-barrel brewery in the heart of the Finger Lakes beer trail in NY State.
The adventure started in 2007 when Chris Hansen and his friends decided to experiment with growing hops to perfect their homebrew beers.
The project grew in size and success until Climbing Bines Craft Ale Company opened its doors to the public for the first time in August 2013.
Their hand-crafted ales are now produced using local barley and the freshest hops, grown on-site with sustainable and environmentally-conscious agricultural practices.
The brewery is also designed to be a welcoming and relaxing space for the community.
So, be sure to take a walk through the hop yard or enjoy a beer tasting or a pint in the taproom.
Because there’s plenty of seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Just try and bring your own chair if you visit on the weekend. since it can get busy.
Address: 511 Hansen Point Rd, Penn Yan, NY 14527, United States
Hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Price: Varies
Map of the Best Seneca Lake Breweries
Best Seneca Lake Breweries FAQs
What are the Big Three Breweries in Canada?
The big three breweries in Canada are Labatt, Molson, and Canadian Breweries Limited.
What is Seneca Lake Known For?
Seneca Lake is known as the Lake Trout capital of the world since it is the largest and deepest glacial Finger Lake in New York.
What is the Brewing Capital of the World?
The brewing capital of the world is Milwaukee.
Where are the Largest Breweries in the World?
The largest brewery in the world can be found in Leuven, Belgium, and belongs to the multi-national company Anheuser-Busch.
Additional New York Resources You’ll Love
There you have it! That just about wraps up this guide to the best Seneca Lake breweries of them all.
Tell me, did your picks for the best breweries in Seneca Lake make the list? If not then let me know in the comments below.
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