Best Breweries in Syracuse NY: Must-try Brewpubs for Beer Lovers

Here are the best breweries in Syracuse NY that would be a total shame to miss. From classic IPAs to experimental Sours and good old Farmhouse Ales, Syracuse has something to offer for every type of beer lover. Check these breweries out and let us know which ones are your favorite.

Best Breweries in Syracuse	Number of Active Beers	ABV (Lowest-Highest)
Heritage Hill Brewhouse	20	4.2 – 9.4 percent
Buried Acorn Brewing Co.	40	3.4 – 17.6 percent
Willow Rock Brewing Co.	25	4.5 – 11 percent
Middle Ages Brewing	34	4.3 – 12.6 percent
Talking Cursive Brewing Co.	15	4.1 – 8 percent
Hot House Brewing	10	4.5 – 5.7 percent
Meier’s Creek Brewing Co.	16	4.75 – 12 percent
Yard Brewing	28	3.7 – 9 percent
Full Boar Craft Brewery	18	3.63 – 8.1 percent
Erie Canal Brewing	4	4.5 – 6.5 percent
Now & Later	9	4.1 – 8 percent
Local 318 Brewing Co.	15	4.5 – 8.5 percent
Bullfinch Brewpub	8	4.8 – 8 percent
Scaneateles Brewery	10	4.2 – 8 percent
Underground Beer Lab	7	5 – 7 percent

Best Syracuse Breweries That You Just Can’t Miss

When we read Central New York, these 19 breweries stand the best chance to be on the list. So pick your starting point on the Syracuse brewery tour, bring the beer enthusiast out and start exploring.

– Heritage Hill Brewhouse

Located in the Southeastern suburbs of Syracuse on top of a hill, this is one of the most famous Syracuse breweries. They have both an outdoor and indoor seating area overlooking stunning views down the hillside. This is also one of the best breweries in Syracuse with food. It is a kid-friendly space too, as they have a small kids’ area outside.

This is also known to be a farm brewery. They often host small and intimate music festivals and concerts. You can find the details on their events calendar.

Their Must-try beers

Route 20 East W/ Phantasm is a New England Hazy IPA brewed at 7.8 percent ABV. This beer is double dry-hopped and brewed with Sauvignon Blanc Grapes, which gives it a nice tropical fruit flavor.

The Sunset Seltzer Blood Orange is a Hard Seltzer at 4.6 percent ABV. This beer is made with natural spring water, pure and real blood orange and is free of any extracts.

– Buried Acorn Brewing Company

Acorn is one of the most innovative and unique CNY breweries. Located by the edge of Onondaga Lake, you would be sorry if you missed this beautiful spot to enjoy beer and some finger food. The taproom is a perfect location to relax in their outdoor beer garden and enjoy some fresh air by the lake.

They are known for mixed-fermentation Ales, Farmhouse Ales and barrel-aged Sour Ales. Whether you enjoy Sours or not, this is one place you should try their beers only to be pleased with their variety.

Their Must-try beers

Brettanomyces “The Hitman” Tart is a barrel-aged Brett Beer brewed at 7.0 percent ABV. It is richly blended in their barrel cellar for a funky and light tart touch.

Their 1000 Tiny Michael Jacksons Breakdancing in Your Mouth is a classic Belgian Blonde brewed subtly at 5.4 percent ABV. This is a collaboration brew and has an overall lemony flavor on the palate.

– Willow Rock Brewing Company

This brewery is known for brewing some delicious and artisanal beers in their expansive beer hall since 2015. Their tap room has an extremely chill vibe and is both kid and dog friendly. They also have a giant outdoor patio that is perfect for small get-togethers.

They put in a lot of research on their beers to make them fresh, crispy and full of refreshing flavors. It also makes for a great palace to enjoy a good game night. They have an extremely hospitable staff, who know their beers from the bottom and will also help you make the right order.

Their Must-try beers

Hammock Daze is an Ameircan Pale Wheat Beer brewed at 5.1 percent ABV. It is brewed with a brilliant mix of lemon, coriander, barley and wheat, making it an excellent summer beer.

Their 99 Problems But Maibock Ain’t One is a classic Bock beer or a Lentebock brewed at 6.4 percent ABV. It is brewed with an excellent selection of German malts and hops, making it a full-bodied, flavorsome beer.

– Middle Ages Brewing Company

This brewery is the oldest, locally owned and operated and has a craft beer history of over 25 years in New York. From traditional beers to highly experimental ones, they are known to be at the edge of the making out of the blue beers. They are located just 20 minutes from Syracuse, the oldest brewery Baldwinsville, NY has ever known.

They host some local food trucks every week, so you will mostly find new food varieties every day of the week. They also hold several events over the week like trivia nights, live music and many more.

Their Must-try beers

Dinosaur Ape Hanger Ale is a Golden Ale brewed using apricots with an ABV of 5.0 percent. Their Bourbon Barrel Aged Dragonslayer is a classic and robust Imperial/Double Stout brewed at 12.1 percent ABV. This beer gains its richness from being aged for two years in Buffalo Trace barrels.

– Talking Cursive Brewing Company

This brewery is located in the historic Niagara Mohawk Building. It is a woman and veteran-owned and operated brewery that focuses on innovative beers. Their taproom is a welcoming atmosphere with a wide variety of beers on tap and food specials running throughout the week. They also host special dinners for charity and fundraisers.

Their food spread is also quite interesting. They serve everything from naan pizzas to mac n cheese and some delicious Greek and American snacks.

Their Must-try beers

Rhubarb Raspberry Pie is a mouthwatering Fruited Sour brewed at 4.2 percent ABV. This was one of their first Kettle Sours that won many awards.

The Parade Day Irish Red is an Irish Red Ale brewed at 4.5 percent ABV. With a slightly lower bitterness level than other red ales, this beer is a perfectly balanced drink thanks to the finest ingredients like the dry Irish Ale Yeast.

– Hot House Brewing at Borone Gardens

This brewery primarily focuses on American Style Ales. They are located in the heart of Central New York. Over 95 percent of their grains are grown locally and over 90 percent of the hops are sourced from local networks. They brew some seasonal specials and have around 10 year-round taps.

Their taproom is located in a beautiful indoor greenhouse setting. Their bistro offers hand-crafted paninis, salads, wraps and pasta. They also have an outdoor area that is open only seasonally.

Their Must-try beers

Sorachi Blond Ace is a classic Blonde Ale brewed at 4,5 percent ABV. It has some hints of dill and lemongrass that make it an easily refreshing beer to sip on.

The Neepah Creek is a New England IPA brewed using fresh Centennial and Cashmere hops at 4.7 percent ABV. It has flavors of citrus, orange and grapefruit with mild to low bitterness.

– Red Hawk Brewing

This brewery is known for old and vintage-style Belgian Ales. They use the finest quality ingredients to bring the highest quality of beers to the table. They are also famous for farmhouse and Abby-style Ales, Lagers and Ciders. Their taproom is open from Thursday to Sunday.

This is more of a microbrewery located in a farm-like space and has a farmhouse vibe to it. Everything from the interiors to their glassware shouts vintage and old-world charm.

Their Must-try beers

Black Sea Stout is a sinfully good classic Imperial Stout with a rich deep red to brown color pour. It has complex flavors full of rich chocolate and roasted malt. The Bavarian Doppelbock is a golden Ale, medium-bodied with a malty and rich character.

– Meier’s Creek Brewing Co.

Creek Brewing is located less than 30 minutes outside of Syracuse and is rated one of the best breweries Cazenovia, NY. The taproom is full of rustic wooden furniture with a modern vibe. There is ample indoor space, well lit with a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and an overall friendly atmosphere. They also have an outdoor seating zone.

The whole property is spread across 22 acres and features an 18-disk golf course, walking and hiking trail and a hop field. All of this makes for a stunning location to enjoy great beer and delicious finger food.

Their Must-try beers

Bark Twice If You’re In Milwaukee is a classic American IPA brewed at 7.2 percent ABV. It is clean, crisp and has a light citrus finish. The Soursop Saison is a delicious Farmhouse Ale brewed at 6.5 percent ABV. It is rich, with a medium to light body and a well-balanced character.

– Yard Brewing

Since 1994, Yards has been brewing delicious beers. It all started with two college friends who started off brewing beer for some close friends. The hobby soon turned to a passion and that passion became their biggest inspiration to open a brewery for quality beer.

They have grown from a garage seized work station to their current Spring Garden location. They believe in quality, community, commitment and sustainability. They believe that good beer can be enjoyed the best with a group of people.

Their Must-try beers

Poor Richard’s Spruce Ale is a sumptuous Amber Ale brewed at 5.0 percent and is brewed with Spruce and Molasses. The Cape of Good Hope is a hoppy and adventurous Double IPA with a perfect balance with the bitterness and maltiness of the beer. It has an ABV of 9.1 percent.

– Eastwood Brewing Company

The newest microbrewery in Syracuse, NY was formerly known as Double Barrel Brewing Co. They only have a one-barrel system brewhouse where brewmaster and owner Pete Kirkgasser creates a unique mix of craft beers. Since they have just started out, their beers are only available locally.

The EBC tasting room is open seven days a week and is a cozy little space for a quick takeaway beer. From the outside, it looks like a small low-lying building and is equally low maintenance and simple from the inside.

Their Must-try beers

Their Chocolate Raspberry Stout is a delicious pour with a hefty mouthfeel of strawberry and lactose flavor. The sweetness overpowers the bitterness in this beer. Their Brown Porter is yet another tasty brew at 7.0 percent ABV. It pours a deep brown color and has a heavy mouthfeel.

– Full Boar Craft Brewery & Taproom

This is a new York State microbrewery that specializes in Ales, Stouts and Porters. It is located in the North market of Syracuse and is open from Wednesday to Sunday. The taproom is a cozy spot for small gatherings.

You can even bring your own food and enjoy a nice selection of beers to taste from. One of their all-time favorite brews is the Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, which is available all year round.

Their Must-try beers

The Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Brown Ale is an English Brown Ale brewed at 5.5 percent ABV. It is flooded with roasted oatmeal and cocoa nibs and has a smooth mouthfeel with an aftertaste of chocolate. Their Slap Me Sour Cherry Lime Sour is a Fruited Sour brewed at 3.7 percent ABV. It has delicious flavors of tart cherries and lemon juice.

– Erie Canal Brewing

This is another well-known microbrewery in the area that is family owned and operated. It is a farmhouse brewery located in Canastota, just 25 minutes from Syracuse. They offer a small batch of their own brews and some from their sister brewery Seneca Street Brewpub.

They grow their own hops on their farmland and buy their grains from local craft malt houses. They strongly believe in community living and try to maintain as much sustainability in their operations as possible.

Their Must-try beers

American Warrior Pale Ale is a classic of all time. It is brewed at 6.0 percent ABV using 1886 Malt and Cascade hops.

The Amber Waves of Grain is brewed at 5.0 percent ABV. It is brewed using pale ale malt and crystal and chocolate malts, which gives it a long-lasting deep caramel flavor and light hop bite.

– Syracuse Suds Factory

The Syracuse brewery is a special spot of fish-fry specials. It is a basic brewpub with a range of beers on tap. It is currently closed for operations, but is an excellent place to hang out with your friends once it opens up again.

The brewpub gives a unique drinking experience and offers not just good beers, but also other tasty spirits.

Their Must-try beers

Black Cherry Lambic, the Honey Light Ale and the Sweet Stout are some of their best sellers. However, they have an ever-evolving tap list, so it’s best to check with the bartender when you go.

– Now & Later

This is a small brewery producing small batches of beers on rotation. The taproom is of a slightly industrial feel and they have both indoor and outdoor patio seating. They serve pub grub food and play light music. It is a good spot for people to come along and relax over beer and conversations.

Their Must-try beers

Sloop West Coast Juice Bomb is a beer with 7.2 percent ABV with an explosion of tropical and resiny notes on the palate. The tropical flavors and the higher ABV are a good match.

Beer Tree Slightly Fuzzy Pineapple Lime is a sessionable Wiesse brewed at 4.5 percent ABV. It has the wavy sweetness of pineapple and some lime bitterness.

– Local 318 Brewing Co.

This is yet another microbrewery located less than 15 minutes away from Syracuse. They are a farm brewery that believes in the vision of farm to plate. Most of their ingredients are locally sourced and their grains and hops are locally grown on their own farm.

They have a list of events that go on all around the week and also host food trucks on different days of the week. You can check for the schedule on their social platforms.

Their Must-try beers

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Marshmallow Stout is a rich and creamy beer brewed at 8.5 percent ABV. It has all the sweetness from the marshmallow and a rich chocolatey mouthfeel and aftertaste. The Lawnmower American Wheat goes by the name and is brewed at 5.5 percent ABV. It is a perfect summer beer — light, breezy, crisp and easy to drink.

– Bullfinch Brewpub

Bullfinch has been brewing in the mind of the brewmaster for a decade. It is located at the edge of Onondaga Lake. There is a small, rather cozy front porch to enjoy beers during summers and indoor space for the cold winter days.

They have a delicious menu of sweet and savory delights. They are mostly known for their Hefeqeizen and Czech Pilsner. They also have some seasonal specials from the experimental menu of the brewer and a selected set of wines for the ones who don’t prefer beers.

Their Must-try beers

Heroes Feast is a Cheesecake Lemon Sour brewed at 7.0 percent ABV. It has a rich biscuit and toasted malt flavor infused with white chocolate, cinnamon, lemon puree and coconut. There is a light graham cracker finish, giving it the cheesecake vibe.

Modify Memory is a classic NEIPA at 7.5 percent ABV. There are some notes of prickly pear and pineapple in this delicious brew.

– Scaneateles Brewery

This brewery started in 2017 with a shared vision between two friends. They claim to use the best water from Fingerlakes to brew their beers. Their taproom gives an extremely warm and inviting vibe and makes it a perfect place to hang out and relax with friends. They are also a dog-friendly brewpub and are open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Their Must-try beers

The Skanny Dipper Blonde LG is a Blonde Ale brewed at 4.2 percent ABV. It is deliciously light beer, with a clean and crisp finish and gluten-reduced.

The On the Trail Amber Ale is a classic American Red Ale brewed with rich pale, chocolate and caramel malts. The caramel malt gives it a well-rounded toffee flavor at 5.2 percent ABV.

– Underground Beer Lab

Brian Berry and Kevin Taylor began homebrewing in 2014. UBL was incorporated in 2017 before they moved and opened again in 2021. They specialize in freshly brewed IPAs and hop-forward beers. They brew high-quality craft beer for the juicy wolves.

They release fresh cans every Friday from their small batch production facility. The list of releases is available on their social platforms. They are open only on Fridays and Saturdays.

Their Must-try beers

Shifting Hypothesis is a Hazy IPA brewed at 7.0 percent ABV. It is double dry hopped with Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo and Idaho hops, which give it a nice hazy, unfiltered look. Defy’s Logic Hazy Pale Ale is brewed at 5.6 percent ABV. It has a medium to light body, mouthfeel and hop character.

– Griffin Hill Farm Brewery

This brewery is located in Central New York and takes pride in being a farmhouse brewery. This means they source all of their ingredients locally and grow their grains and some hops in-house.

This is one brewery that does not have a taproom. Their base is the NY regional market that operates on Saturdays where they offer tasting samples and bottles for sale.

Conclusion

Craft brewing in Central New York didn’t start booming until the last decade, and today it has picked up exponentially and turned into one of the hottest locations for artisanal and delicious brews. These 19 breweries will not disappoint as they have something for everyone.

• Talking Cursive Brewery is known for its weekly specials. Follow their social space to stay up to date about their new food additions.
• Willow Rock has a food truck rodeo in summer where you can try different food trucks with different cuisines on site.
• Middle Ages is not only known for its stunning brews but also for its famous Tuesday trivia nights.

So which spot are you picking on the beer map of Syracuse? Raise your glasses and drink to a fun-filled day of beer exploring!