Cooperstown isn’t called Hop City for nothing.
Once considered the hops capital of the United States for the flowers that are integral in the production of beer, Cooperstown and Otsego County have been tied to alcoholic beverages since the early 1800s.
The most delicious part of that history lives on in the variety of breweries, cideries and wineries in the area. That includes eight different spots that make up the Cooperstown Beverage Trail.
Here’s a look at what you can find in the area, no matter your drink of choice.
Brewery Ommegang
The crown jewel of Cooperstown’s beer scene is Brewery Ommegang, which has taken the success of its beer and turned it into the centerpiece of a destination space, as well as expanding into ciders.
Built on a 140-acre hop farm, Ommegang was the first farmstead brewery built in 100 years when it was erected in 1997. It now has a tap house, cafe, a nine-hole disc golf course and even hosts a summer concert series heavy on national rock bands with acts like Wilco, Lord Huron and The National. The space includes a 20-tap bar and a 10-tap tasting room.
Location: 656 County Route 33, Cooperstown
Phone: (607) 544-1800
For more information: Brewery Ommegang
Cooperstown Brewing Company
Located in Milford, just outside Cooperstown, this space combines Cooperstown’s twin passions of hops and baseball. The CBC regularly produces an Induction Ale, which highlights Hall of Fame inductees on a collector’s edition label, and is one of a number of beers with baseball themes like Bambino Amber and Old Slugger Pale Ale.
Prior to 1995, the location was initially home to the Haight Cheese Company. The beer has been brewed in Glens Falls, since 2014.
Location: 110 River Street, Milford, NY 13807
Phone: (607) 286-9330
For more information: Cooperstown Brewing Company
High Burl Brewery
Opened just two years ago, High Burl produces small-batch artisan ales and craft beers on a small, family-owned farm brewery. The brewery is located on the Bennett Family Farm just outside Cooperstown in Burlington Flats.
Location: 2803 SR 80, Burlington Flats, NY 13315
Phone: (607) 965-0038
For more information: High Burl Brewery
Honeypot Farms Meadery
Mead joins the customary collection of beers, ciders and wines An alcoholic beverage made by fermenting honey mixed with water, often with another flavors added. At Honeypot that includes things like currants and berries. Honeypot also sells other items like local honey.
Location: 5789 State Route 51, Burlington Flats
Phone: (607) 437-0463
For more information: Honeypot Farms Meadery
Rustic Ridge Winery
There’s no pretense at Rustic Ridge, which offers the most laid-back atmosphere of any winery you’ll visit. Located on the Bennett Family Farm in Burlinton, the winery amusingly bills itself as “Burlington’s Oldest Winery.”
With a population of fewer than 150 people in the hamlet, there isn’t a lot of competition.
Rustic Ridge partners with another winery in the Finger Lakes so, naturally, it specializes in its assortment of white wines.
Perhaps the most unique element of the winery is the farm itself, with guests encourages to buy a bottle and then enjoy the views overlooking the winery and vineyard.
Location: 2805 State Route 80, Burlington Flats
Phone: (607) 965-0626
For more information: Rustic Ridge Winery
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
Fly Creek has been making cider for 166 years, using a water-powered mill. It expanded its offerings to include hard cider and apple wine in 2003, and it also has a restaurant on site that makes sandwiches and macaroni and cheese.
Like any good cider mill, Fly Creek also has cider dougnuts and baked goods as well.
Location: 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek
Phone: (607) 547-9692
For more information: Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
Montezuma Winery
Montezuma Winery has been so successful that it has expanded into multiple locations in Upstate New York. The owners began their careers in the business making honey and mead in Sterling, New York, before branching out first into fruit wines, and then into other varieties.
The family also operates the Hidden Marsh Distillery out of the same location.
Location: 4841 SR28, Cooperstown
Phone: 607-400-1001
For more information: Montezuma Winery
Pail Shop Vineyards
The location is beautiful with more than 40 acres of vineyards and a pond, which sits surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Operated out of a converted barn, Pail Show crushes, presses and ferments its grapes on site. Pail Shop also touts its homemade sangria, offering local musical performances under the billing, Sangria at Sunset.
Location: 126 Goose Street, Fly Creek
Phone: (607) 282-4035
For more information: Pail Shop Vineyards
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