Best 11 Breweries in Syracuse NY: A Comprehensive Guide

Syracuse, NY is a city with a rich history and culture, and one of the things that it is known for is its thriving brewery scene. With so many breweries to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, there are a number of standout breweries in Syracuse that are worth checking out.

The Craft Beer Scene in Syracuse

Syracuse, NY is home to a thriving craft beer scene, with a variety of breweries offering unique and flavorful brews. Whether you’re a fan of IPAs, stouts, or sours, there’s something for everyone in Syracuse.

Craft beer enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Syracuse, with a range of breweries offering a diverse selection of beers. From established microbreweries to up-and-coming craft breweries, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Some of the most popular breweries in Syracuse include Talking Cursive Brewing Company, Buried Acorn Brewing Company, and Willow Rock Brewing Company. Each of these breweries offers a unique selection of beers, from classic styles to experimental brews.

In addition to the wide variety of beers on offer, many Syracuse breweries also offer food and live entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out with friends or a fun date night, the craft beer scene in Syracuse has something for everyone.

Top Breweries in Syracuse

When it comes to breweries in Syracuse, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the top breweries in the area:

Middle Ages Brewing Company

Middle Ages Brewing Company is a Syracuse staple, having been around since 1995. They offer a variety of beers, including their popular Dragonslayer IPA and Syracuse Pale Ale. They also offer brewery tours and tastings.

Website: http://middleagesbrewing.com/

Address: 120 Wilkinson St, Syracuse, NY 13204, United States

Red Hawk Brewing

Red Hawk Brewing is a newer addition to the Syracuse brewery scene, having opened in 2020. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They also have a kitchen that serves up pub fare.

Website: http://www.redhawkbrewing.com/

Address: 4504 Bussey Rd, Syracuse, NY 13215, United States

Buried Acorn Brewing Company

Buried Acorn Brewing Company is located in nearby Eastwood, but their beers are worth the trip. They offer a variety of styles, including IPAs, sours, and stouts. They also have a kitchen that serves up delicious food.

Website: http://www.buriedacorn.com/

Address: 881 Van Rensselaer St, Syracuse, NY 13204, United States

Talking Cursive Brewing Company

Talking Cursive Brewing Company is a newer addition to the Syracuse brewery scene, having opened in 2019. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. They also have a kitchen that serves up tasty food.

Website: http://talkingcursive.com/

Address: 301 Erie Blvd W, Syracuse, NY 13202, United States

Willow Rock Brewing Company

Willow Rock Brewing Company is located in a nearby Syracuse suburb, Syracuse. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They also have a kitchen that serves up delicious food.

Website: http://www.willowrockbrew.com/

Address: 115 Game Rd, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States

Stout Beard Brewing Company

Stout Beard Brewing Company is located in nearby Liverpool. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. They also have a kitchen that serves up tasty food.

Website: https://www.stoutbeardbrewery.com/

Address: 715 Old Liverpool Rd STE B1, Liverpool, NY 13088, United States

Full Boar Craft Brewery

Full Boar Craft Brewery is located in nearby North Syracuse. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. They also have a kitchen that serves up delicious food.

Website: http://www.fullboarbrew.com/

Address: 628 S Main St, North Syracuse, NY 13212, United States

Heritage Hill Brewhouse

Heritage Hill Brewhouse is located in nearby Pompey. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They also have a kitchen that serves up tasty food.

Website: https://heritagehillbrewery.com/

Address: 3149 Sweet Rd, Pompey, NY 13138, United States

Meier’s Creek Brewing Company

Meier’s Creek Brewing Company is located in nearby Cazenovia. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours.

Website: https://www.meierscreekbrewing.com/

Address: 720 Van Rensselaer St, Syracuse, NY 13204, United States

Local 315 Brewing Company

Local 315 Brewing Company is located in nearby Camillus. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours.

Website: https://local315brewing.com/

Address: 3160 Warners Rd, Warners, NY 13164, United States

Eastwood Brewing Company

Eastwood Brewing Company is located in the heart of Syracuse’s Eastwood neighborhood. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and sours. They also have a kitchen that serves up delicious food.

Website: http://www.facebook.com/eastwoodbrewingcompany

Address: 108 Walter Dr, Syracuse, NY 13206, United States

Unique Features of Syracuse Breweries

Syracuse is home to numerous breweries, each with its unique features that make them stand out. Here are some of the unique features of Syracuse breweries:

Outdoor Seating

Many Syracuse breweries offer outdoor seating, providing a relaxing ambiance for visitors to enjoy their beer. For instance, Heritage Hill Brewhouse features a hilltop outdoor seating area with stunning views of downtown Syracuse. Similarly, Willow Rock Brewing Company has a spacious outdoor patio with plenty of seating options.

Variety of Beers

Syracuse breweries offer a broad range of beers, from traditional ales to experimental brews. For example, Buried Acorn Brewing Company is known for its eclectic beers with groovy names, while Middle Ages Brewing Company has a long-standing reputation for brewing classic English-style ales.

Music and Events

Syracuse breweries often host live music and events, making them popular hangout spots for locals and visitors alike. For instance, Talking Cursive Brewing Company hosts a variety of events, including trivia nights, live music, and comedy shows. Meanwhile, Full Boar Craft Brewing offers weekly live music performances.

Food Trucks

Many Syracuse breweries partner with food trucks to offer delicious food options to their customers. For example, Stout Beard Brewing Company frequently hosts food trucks, such as The Brunch Box and The Chicken Bandit. Similarly, Bullfinch Brewing partners with local food trucks to provide a variety of food options.

Beer Styles and Specialties

When it comes to beer styles and specialties, Syracuse breweries have a lot to offer. From traditional styles like stouts and lagers to experimental sours and barrel-aged sours, there’s something for every beer lover.

Stouts

Stouts are a dark, full-bodied beer with a roasted flavor. Syracuse breweries like Middle Ages Brewing Company and Stout Beard Brewing Company offer a variety of stouts, including oatmeal stouts, imperial stouts, and milk stouts.

IPAs

IPAs, or India Pale Ales, are a hoppy beer style that originated in England. Syracuse breweries like Buried Acorn Brewing Company and Heritage Hill Brewhouse offer a variety of IPAs, including West Coast IPAs, New England IPAs, and double IPAs.

Lagers

Lagers are a light, crisp beer style that is fermented at a low temperature. Syracuse breweries like Full Boar Craft Brewery and Tap Room offer a variety of lagers, including pilsners, Helles, and Vienna lagers.

Sours

Sours are a tart, fruity beer style that is brewed with wild yeast or bacteria. Syracuse breweries like Talking Cursive Brewing Company and Willow Rock Brewing Company offer a variety of sours, including Berliner Weisse, Gose, and fruited sours.

Ciders

Ciders are an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apples. Syracuse breweries like Red Hawk Brewing and Now & Later offer a variety of ciders, including dry ciders, sweet ciders, and fruit-infused ciders.

Farmhouse Ales

Farmhouse ales are a rustic, Belgian-style beer that is brewed with wild yeast. Syracuse breweries like Local 315 Brewing Company and Meier’s Creek Brewing Company offer a variety of farmhouse ales, including saison, biere de garde, and Belgian pale ale.

Barrel-Aged Sours

Barrel-aged sours are sour beer that is aged in oak barrels. Syracuse breweries like Hot House Brewing and Congress Beer offer a variety of barrel-aged sours, including Flanders red ale, lambic, and oud bruin.

Brewery Experiences

Syracuse, NY is home to a variety of breweries that offer unique experiences for beer enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned beer lover or just starting to explore the world of craft beer, there’s something for everyone in Syracuse.

One of the most popular brewery experiences in the area is brewery tours. Many breweries offer guided tours of their facilities, giving visitors an inside look at the brewing process and a chance to sample some of their best beers. Some breweries even offer private tours for groups, making it a great option for a fun and unique outing with friends or family.

For those who prefer a more casual brewery experience, many breweries have taprooms or outdoor seating areas where visitors can relax and enjoy a cold beer. Some breweries even have food trucks or offer their own food menu, making it a great spot for a casual lunch or dinner.

Another popular brewery experience in Syracuse is beer festivals. Throughout the year, there are several beer festivals held in the area that bring together local breweries and beer enthusiasts. These festivals are a great way to try a variety of beers from different breweries and meet other beer lovers.

Awards and Recognition

Syracuse, NY is home to several award-winning breweries that have gained recognition for their high-quality beers and unique flavors. These breweries have won numerous awards in local, national, and international competitions, cementing their place as some of the best in the industry.

One such brewery is Buried Acorn Brewing Company, which has won several awards for its craft beers. In 2019, the brewery won a gold medal at the TAP New York Craft Beer & Food Festival for its “Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.” The same year, Buried Acorn also won a gold medal at the Great International Beer, Cider, Mead & Sake Competition for its “Bourbon Barrel Aged Rye IPA.” These awards are a testament to the brewery’s commitment to quality and innovation.

Another award-winning brewery in Syracuse is Middle Ages Brewing Company. The brewery has won several awards over the years, including a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its “Duke of Winship” English-style barleywine. The brewery has also won several awards at the TAP New York Craft Beer & Food Festival, including a gold medal for its “Imperial Wizard” imperial stout.

Heritage Hill Brewhouse is another brewery that has gained recognition for its high-quality beers. The brewery won a gold medal at the 2019 New York State Craft Beer Competition for its “Hoppy Red Ale.” The brewery has also won several awards at the TAP New York Craft Beer & Food Festival, including a gold medal for its “Saison” farmhouse ale.

These are just a few examples of the award-winning breweries in Syracuse, NY. Each brewery has its unique flavors and styles, making them a must-visit for beer enthusiasts.