Keuka Lake is one of the eleven scenic Finger Lakes along the vineyard-laden rolling hills of upstate New York. Although the area has a strong reputation for its award-winning wineries, it is quickly gaining acclaim for its brewery scene. We will outline eight amazing Keuka Lake breweries to explore on your next trip to the Finger Lakes Region.
Keuka Lake
Where the other Finger Lakes are long and narrow, Keuka Lake’s distinctive Y-shape stands out when peering at a map. It was called Crooked Lake in the past. In the Iroquois language, its name means “canoe lake,” whereas, in Seneca, it stands for “lake with an elbow.”
Keuka Lake Breweries
You will find most of the breweries on our list in the towns of Hammondsport, Penn Yan, and Keuka Park. Hammondsport is at the south end of the lake, while Penn Yan is at the northeastern tip. You will find Keuka Park along the western shore of the east fork.
Keg & Barrel Brewing Company
Location: 14720 State Route 54, Dundee, NY 14837
If you seek friendly service, great craft beers, and a terrific view of Keuka Lake, head to Keg & Barrel. The brewery carries 20 taps, offering unique beers, ciders, and sours. You can also order from a selection of New York wines and domestic bottled beers.
If you are hungry, Keg & Barrel offers menu items, including a meat and cheese plate, soft pretzels, beef on weck sandwiches, paninis, flatbread pizzas, pasta salads, and steamed mussels.
The brewery hosts events like yoga, book club, trivia, live music, and comedians. Visit the Keg & Barrel site for the events schedule.
Keuka Brewing Company
Location: 8572 Briglin Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840
A family-run business established in 2008, Keuka Brewing Co. is an award-winning, small-batch craft brewery and the first micro-brewery on Keuka Lake. Their tasting room provides a laid-back experience so you can relax as you sample different brews.
The brewery carries flagship offerings and seasonal beers, touting that they have something for all tastes. You will find creative beers like:
- Ghost of Rita – a tart, award-winning Gose beer
- Afterburner Habanero – an aptly named spicy drink
- Fat Stack – a maple pecan porter aged in oak barrels
- Pumpkin Cream Ale – a rich-bodied ale brimming with fall spices and real pumpkin
- Honey Kolsch – a spring brew made with local honey
Steuben Brewing Company
Location: 10286 Judson Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840
An award-winning, family-run farm brewery, Steuben Brewing Company opened in 2014. The brewhouse prides itself on sourcing locally and relationships with local farmers.
Steuben Brewing delivers a series of beers called Local Liquid, wholly sourced from New York State ingredients. Everything about the series is modern, from the brewing methods to the sleek, bold colors of the cans.
Steuben Brewing regularly has events like live music and pizza nights. They also carry local wines.
You can join the Steuben Club if you want to be one of the first to taste new brews, attend exclusive events, and receive discounts. Visit the Steuben Brewing Company site for more information.
Finger Lakes Beer Company
Location: 8462 State Route 54, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Established in 2009, Finger Lakes Beer company is a small, award-winning craft farm brewery. The brewhouse offers pints, tasting flights, glasses of local wines, and craft cocktails.
Finger Lakes Beer Company, with its relaxed atmosphere, offers some unique flavors on tap like:
- Watermelon Wheat – a light and refreshing wheat ale perfect for summer
- Spooky Season – a fall pumpkin ale with a creamy finish
- Tart Cherry Sour – the name says it all
- Newton’s Pale Ale – hoppy with a crisp, dry finish
- Toxic Positivity – a gluten-friendly pale ale
- Ring of Fire – an amber Scotch ale with a smoky flavor
- Coffee Toffee Oatmeal Milk Stout – a flavorful stout with a smooth, creamy finish
- 11/11 Estate IPA – for hop lovers
Finger Lakes Beer Company offers a Mug Club where members receive personalized mugs and discounts. The brewery is dog friendly, even if you are not a Mug Club member.
The Brewery of Broken Dreams
Location: 8319 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Located in a historic building one mile from Hammondsport, The Brewery of Broken Dreams pours from 12 taps in their tasting room. Ten or eleven taps typically contain standard and seasonal beers, while the remaining taps pour limited-release or specialty brews.
Most of their ingredients are New York State sourced, including hops and base malts. Playing on the theme of the broken dream, they have a mantra of “tears” rather than the expected “cheers.”
The brewery offers tastings, flights, glasses, and growlers. They serve cheese curds and dilly dawgs, which are cheese-filled pickles. Or, you can bring snacks.
Note the tasting room adjusts operating hours seasonally. Visit The Brewery of Broken Dreams site before going to verify their hours.
Abandon Brewing Company
Location: 2994 Merritt Hill Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Their mission statement clearly states the goal is to make stellar beer in a cool space, all while providing exceptional service. That remarkable space is a red 1800s barn. Their beer shines a light on New York’s agricultural prowess, with nearly all ingredients coming from within 50 miles of the brewery.
The brewery changes beer offerings seasonally but regularly utilizes various worldwide brewing methods. You can drink English porters, Belgian ales, and German lagers. They often pour barrel-aged beers as well.
While enjoying a beverage, you can savor a woodfired pizza, soft pretzels, a meat and cheese board, stuffed buns, or focaccia breadsticks and carrot sticks with a delicious dip of whipped feta and hummus.
Abandon Brewing Company regularly hosts yoga activities and weekend entertainment like comedians or live music. The rustic barn, splendid view of Keuka Lake, and sprawling vineyards and gardens make this a perfect place for a wedding. Visit the Abandon Brewing Company site to view the events calendar and to obtain information on weddings and receptions.
Laurentide Beer Company
Location: 12 Maiden Lane, Penn Yan, NY 14527
The brewery, founded in 2020, is named for the Laurentide Ice Sheet and Glacier that created the Finger Lakes. All beers get brewed on-site in a 200-year-old carriage house.
Here are some of the beverages you can enjoy at Laurentide:
- Penn Yan Light – an American light lager
- Hazy Pale Ale – an American pale ale
- Double NEIPA – a New England-style IPA
- Schwarzbier – a German black lager with a roasted malt flavor and dry finish
- Rhode Island Greening – a dry to semi-dry cider
Laurentide also serves a few local wines and distilled spirits for those who prefer something other than beer. They usually host tacos and trivia night on Tuesdays and some live entertainment on weekends. Visit the Laurentide Beer Company site to learn more about their beers and the events calendar.
LyonSmith Brewing Company
Location: 2597 Assembly Avenue, Keuka Lake, NY 14478
LyonSmith Brewing pours English-style beers. Year-round brews include a mild ale, a robust porter, a red ale, and a pale ale.
Summer brings a Scotch ale and a summer ale, while fall delivers an apple ale, a pumpkin ale, and a honey-based brew. Finally, LyonSmith pours some warming ales to stave off the winter chill in the colder months.
Lyonsmith typically hosts Friday night trivia events and has live music from time to time. Visit the LyonSmith Brewing Company site for a list of beers and the events calendar.
Things To Do in Keuka Lake
There are many things to do in the Finger Lakes, from a relaxing day at a farmer’s market to a brisk hike along gushing waterfalls. Keuka Lake has a strong reputation for excellent wineries if you like wine. Beyond Keuka Lake, the highest concentration of wineries is around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes.
Boating and fishing are popular activities at Keuka Lake. Fish species include brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and landlocked salmon. Keuka Lake State Park has a boat launch ramp and offers hiking trails and camping.
With less than an hour’s drive, you can visit two of America’s best state parks:
Each park offers unparalleled views of deep gorges and cascading waterfalls.
Wrap-Up: 8 Amazing Keuka Lake Breweries
Although known for its wineries, Keuka Lake is quickly becoming just as popular for its breweries. Plan a visit to the Finger Lakes and these eight amazing Keuka Lake breweries. A beautiful view of sprawling vineyards by a tranquil lake while sipping a tasty craft beer makes for a perfect weekend getaway.
About the author
We are Scott and Julie at Miles with McConkey. After nearly 30 years, we took a leap of faith out of the corporate world to enjoy a life of travel and adventure. We hope to inspire you to find ways to travel more and enjoy life now.