When one hears the name “Cooperstown,” sports aficionados think of baseball and the National Baseball Hall Of Fame, located in the quaint and beautiful village of Cooperstown. Here are miles of drives through the stunning Susquehanna River Valley Region in upstate New York.
Cooperstown Beverage Trail
In town, pick up a copy of Quench, a free state-issued magazine that serves as your guide to the eight stops on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. Breweries, wineries, a cider mill, and distillery make up the very efficient almost circular route from Cooperstown. Extend your stay at a choice of hotels, Inns, B & B’s and the Glimmerglass State Park for camping and RV’s to start.
We had the happy experience of planning our all too short visit to include another treasure: The Brewery Ommegang.
Built in 1997, this custom built farmstead brewery is a visual delight from the architecture of the farm buildings to the beauty of the 140-acre grounds surrounded by beautiful mountains. But as they say, “it’s all about the beer,” and beer at Ommegang is the first-rate priority for taste, creativity, and quality.
Ommegang crafts eleven unique beers and seasonal additions are added as are other specialty brews.
Tours are available for the public to learn about the brewing process. We found it worked well to take the 30-minute tour and then have a six-beer tasting. This is a chance to sample and learn about six different libations from the brewery and is a fun half hour. If you’re planning to dine, and trust us the food is wonderful, make your reservation on arrival. This is a very popular destination and not getting a table or a very long wait would be disappointing.
'The Three Philosophers' and Other Favorites
Of all of the offerings from Ommegang, our personal favorite is the Three Philosophers offering a rich and appealing blend that is almost wine-like in taste and packs a wallop 9.5% ABV (alcohol by volume). The first time I ordered it, the establishment served it in a brandy glass! The ten other have names to match their unique blends. Quadruple Ale, Rosetta Kriek, Nirvana, Hennepin Farmhouse, the Great Beyond and even named for the popular HBO series Game of Thrones: the Pale Sour is just a wonderfully different brew.
Cafe Ommegang
The brewery restaurant, is a casual and a fine culinary endeavor. Your chance to experience some wonderfully created sandwiches, true to Belgium tradition mussels, salads and other seasonal choices. I couldn’t stop eating the most spectacular tasting French fries (pommes frites) you can imagine! Chose and enjoy one of the draught brews on tap as well as a variety of Belgian import selections.
We had to leave for Maine the next morning so we’ll be back to cover more of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail or perhaps make a summer visit for a festival.
Events
Many events are held over the course of the year with some RV camping available. From yoga to summer concerts, to bike races. The events tend to be unique and exciting, a favorite being BCTC ("Belgium Comes to Cooperstown") and often nationally famous artists are featured.
The brewery store also offers all of the beers made at Ommegang, delicious Belgian chocolates and many other items.
Please see their website and Facebook page for these and all other things Ommegang. I think you will see why this story is headed Ommegang means “OMG” ……Oh my gosh”!
Ommegang beers are available in specialty beer shops in 46 states and the District of Columbia.
For more information:
CooperstownBeverageTrail.com
The oldest covered bridge in America is located in Cooperstown, New York at Glimmerglass State Park.
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