The 10 Best Craft Breweries In New York State

Maspeth, NY

Founded: 2012

Bridge and Tunnel is a one-man, Queens-based nanobrewery started by Rich Castagna, a lifelong New Yorker who has been homebrewing for over 10 years. Each of his beers is named for a neighborhood story. For example, his flagship beer, Angry Amel Dunkelweizen, recalls a neighbor he had growing up who would threaten to cut the ears off the children playing in the street.

Cooperstown, NY

Founded: 1997

Ommegang started out with only one beer, Ommegang Ale — now called Abbey Ale — a rich, brown Belgian-style Dubbel with notes of dark fruit. Now they offer a long lineup of other styles, and are experimenting with sour beers. The brewery recently partnered with HBO to produce a line of "Game of Thrones"-inspired beers, including a "Take the Black" Stout, an "Iron Throne" Blonde Ale, and their newest "Fire and Blood" Red Ale.

Brooklyn, NY

Founded: 1988

Steve Hindy and Tom Potter launched with their flagship Brooklyn Lager. It has since been joined by seven other year-round brews, and many specialty beers. Brooklyn Brewery has led not only the craft beer revolution in New York City, but also the dramatic revitalization of the Williamsburg neighborhood. Brooklyn Brewery has a taproom that hosts tastings, events, and offers free tours on weekends.

Buffalo, NY

Founded: 2012

Founded by a group of homebrewing friends and a Kickstarter campaign, CBW aims to foster the growth of craft beer in Buffalo and give back to the community (the spent grain from CBW’s beers is donated to the agriculture non-profit Massachusetts Avenue Project). In addition to a variety of seasonal and special releases, CBW makes four year-round beers.

Greenport, NY

Founded: 2012

While the North Fork of Long Island is well-known for its wineries, Greenport Harbor Brewing has captured the focus of both locals and tourists. Founders John Liegley and Rich Vandenburg create a lineup of flavorful beers that are accessible yet stay true to the innovation of the craft beer community. They plan to open a larger facility in nearby Peconic; the original location will remain in use for specialty and limited-release beers.

Ithaca, NY

Founded: 1998

Ithaca's tap handles are visible at bars and restaurants throughout the state, but a visit to the brewery itself is a worthwhile trip for seasonal and special-release beers, as well as root beer and ginger beer. The brewery is also, in a way, a farm: The fields that stretch out beyond the patio windows belong to the brewery, where future plans include growing hops and grain for brewing and produce for the taproom’s kitchen.

Newburgh, NY

Founded: 2012

Newburgh’s head brewer, Chris Basso, spent seven years brewing alongside Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver before deciding to strike out on his own and open a brewery in an old paper box factory in his upstate hometown of Newburgh. Basso takes inspiration for his beers from not only his work at Brooklyn, but also a background attending culinary school, ensuring his brews are sessionable, balanced, and drinkable.

Peekskill, NY

Founded: 2008

Family-founded Peekskill Brewery underwent a complete rebrand in 2013 when they hired brewmaster Jeff O’Neill, formerly of Ithaca Beer Company. Peekskill had always put out a solid lineup of beers, but when O’Neill took over he revamped almost the entire list with new, bold offerings like the Higher Standard Imperial IPA, which won the TAP NY Governor’s Cup for Best Beer in New York State.

Lakewood, NY

Founded: 2002

Southern Tier is undoubtedly the most widely known brewery in Western New York. Explosive growth during just over a decade in business put the brewery at No. 37 on the Brewers Association’s 2012 list of the largest craft brewers in the U.S. Equally impressive to its growth is that they've maintained the high quality of their beer, like their highly anticipated seasonal Pumking, a bready, imperial pumpkin ale available only in the fall.

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