Updated July 2025
If you look at an Upstate New York map of breweries, as compared to one just printed only a few years ago, you’ll quickly notice a surge in the number of craft beer stops. I’ve compiled a collection of my go-to breweries, which I’ve visited during return trips to the area.
Upstate New York Breweries Worth Visiting
The Brewery of Broken Dreams (8319 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport)
Located in charming Hammondsport, The Brewery of Broken Dreams is a short drive from the scenic shoreline of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.
The owners collaborate with neighboring farms, incorporating locally grown ingredients, and feature one of 12 craft beers on tap at the tasting room. I found the 59B Belgian Blonde ale to be true to style and refreshing on a summer day. You can expect a variety of styles on draft, ranging from hefeweizen and lager to amber and stout.
Iron Flamingo Brewery (196 Baker Street, Corning)
The Blonde Ale has a crisp, yet slightly bitter, aftertaste. I wish I had ordered the Belgian Wit Ale, an unfiltered beer flavored with orange peel and coriander similar to a Blue Moon. Other guests in our party ordered the IPA but said it wasn’t their favorite during the beer tour. Six brews on tap. Check the chalkboard to try seasonal sips.
Upstate Brewing Company (3028 Lake Road, Elmira) (17 N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen)
We return to Update Brewing Company at least once a year because their taps include approaching craft brews ranging from ales to IPAs. They do a solid job of always having multiple IPAs available.At each location, patrons can expect a community vibe. Visit the food truck, grab a board game, and enjoy the sound of a musician playing as you enjoy your beer.
Horseheads Brewing Company (250 Old Ithaca Road, Horseheads)
Opening its doors in 2007, the brewery is the town’s namesake and has an extensive selection of flagship beers that are consistent in taste. Due to standing room only over the years, they expanded their tasting room and production. You can find their selections on tap across the state in restaurants.
The Pumpkin Ale and the Hot-Jala-Heim are stand-out beers. The fall pumpkin brew has won numerous awards, which adorn the walls of the tasting room. A chili beer, the Hot-Jala-Heim brings a bite due to the jalapenos and anaheims and includes a high alcohol content. It won Best Beer at the Hamburg, New York beer festival. Whenever I drink a pint of it, I crave buttered popcorn for some reason.
Liquid Shoes Brewing (26 E. Market Street, Corning)
Watch shoppers stroll downtown Gaffer District with a beer in hand from the open-air window seat at Liquid Shoes Brewing. Sample one of six or more unfiltered beers before settling on a favorite.
At Liquid Shoes, the locals are welcoming and the bartender is equally happy to serve non-drinkers a beverage. Expect two non-alcoholic beers as well.
Ithaca Beer Co. (122 Ithaca Beer Drive, Ithaca)
Near Cayuga Lake, this brewery is popular because it was one of the first craft breweries to open the east coast in the 80s. Famous for the uber hoppy Flower Power IPA, they are also known for their hop garden on the property.
Grab an Apricot Wheat and head outside to enjoy the expansive view of the treelined landscape. Adirondack chairs and tables make for community seating and opportunities to meet other patrons.
Binghamton Brewing Company (15 Avenue B. Johnson City, Binghamton)
Temporarily Closed as of March 3, 2024
Try the Citra Pale Ale that promises a well-balanced finish with a few citrus notes on your tongue, the perfect drink for a warm summer day. I loved the Purple Rain, a Concord grape beer, that was reminiscent of a grape Sweet Tarts candy thanks to its tart finish. A unique brew, the Smoked Hefeweizen, is a wheat beer that the owners claim stretches the boundaries of its category.
Water Street Brewing Co. (168 Water Street, Binghamton)
Summer Wheat Ale, a seasonal local favorite, didn’t stand up against their more flavorful Hefeweizen. It is an excellent balance of banana flavor with wheat due to the specialty yeast they use in the fermentation process.
One drawback to the experience is that is self-serve and I don’t mean the taps. You have to pick up your food and pay for it at the counter, but the waitstaff with clean up your table.
If you’re also a fan of distilleries, read 4 Reasons to Visit Four Fights Distilling in Corning, New York, another blog post I wrote after my travels. Are you planning an overnight stay in Corning? Read Experience the Best of Corning, New York’s Gaffer District.
