Greetings, Great Beer Now fans and followers! This is the first entry in a multi- part series of blog posts relating to the Great Beer Now Country Bales and Autumn Ales Beer Tour 2018, which took place in west central New York. I made my way from Syracuse to Binghamton and back, stopping along the way to visit some of the best breweries, wineries, and distilleries the area has to offer. Grab a beer and follow along on my journey through this scenic section of New York State. Cheers!
Living in a large city like I do, I look forward to times when I can take a break and get away. I anticipate a visit to a smaller city, a ride through open spaces, and anything else that is the antithesis of what I’m used to. When I was planning for a visit to Central New York and its growing beer scene, I envisioned natural scenery, small villages, and plenty of fresh air. This is precisely what I experienced when I paid a visit to the small town of Port Crane and Beer Tree Brew Co., a brewery located at 197 State Route 369 in Port Crane, New York.
Beer with Charm
Beer Tree Brew Co. is a larger than expected brewery with a stand- alone structure that, at least from the outside, doesn’t seem like it would house a brewery. The exterior and interior feature plenty of wood accents, giving it a barn- like persona. The inside tap room is large and well- lit, with a centrally located bar. There is an outdoor bar, too, perfect for when the weather is right.
Beer Tree Brew offers a good deal of seating, both indoors and outdoors, and a large parking lot so you should have no trouble finding a spot to place your vehicle. The establishment is kid and dog friendly and guests can grab a bite to eat from the food truck if the hunger pangs get intense.
Beer With Roots
Here is a listing of the beers I tried, listed alphabetically by name, followed by the style and my Untappd rating on a five point scale:
- Finding Bigfoot, Russian Imperial Stout, 3.75
- Mashing Pumpkins, Pumpkin Beer, 3.5
- Salute Your Shorts, New England Double IPA, 4.5
- Seeking Sasquatch, Porter, 4
- Staycation Guava, Farmhouse Ale, 4
Average Rating: 3.95
My top choice at Beer Tree Brew Co is definitely Salute Your Shorts New England Double IPA. This was not only a good representation of the style, it was also a beer that packed some punch, with 8.4 percent alcohol by volume. There were other noteworthy beers, too, and everything they served was solid and well- crafted all around.
Beer With Soul
Beer Tree Brew Co. was the first brewery I visited on my fall tour of the west central New York region and it proved an excellent place to start. This brewery is part of Brew Central New York and if you’re a regular Great Beer Now reader, you might recall that I previously visited Central New York in the spring of this year, focusing my time in the east Central New York region. I loved what I saw and tasted and decided that a return visit was necessary in order to experience more of what this region offers.
This brewery is located just minutes north of more populous Binghamton and it maintains a good deal of small town charm, from the facility to the beer to the personnel. Like I said, based on the outside appearance, I would not have guessed that a brewery was housed inside this wooden building. It looks different from the big city breweries to which I am accustomed. But it is definitely befitting of a rural brewery and its charm captures you to moment you pull into the parking lot and it doesn’t let go.
When I visited Beer Tree Brew Co, they were celebrating an anniversary so there were larger crowds than usual and lots of outdoor activities. In spite of the crowds, it still felt warm and welcoming at Beer Tree and the atmosphere and personnel are the reasons. With the wood accents and friendly servers and owners, you feel like you’ve been invited to a friend’s country home for a casual gathering. I’ve been told that, due to its popularity, Beer Tree Brew Co. can get crowded at any moment, but there is still enough space to drink and converse in comfort.
Beer Tree Brew Co. is family friendly and one thing I really appreciated with the inside is the abundance of natural light. Many breweries I visit offer almost no natural light on the inside, but Beer Tree Brew Co. is different. The inside space has plenty of windows and it makes for a bright, cheerful setting, perfect for taking Instagram- worthy photos.
Beer Tree Brew Co. serves a solid lineup of craft beer and from chatting with the owners, they are enjoying a good deal of growth. It isn’t difficult to understand why. The beer is tasty, the service is prompt, the people are friendly, and the mood is positive and convivial. They put their heart and soul into each aspect of the experience, and locals have responded in kind.
Central New York is a far cry from Great Beer Now’s home base of Houston, Texas and it offers a much needed respite from the concrete and steel I encounter each day. Beer Tree Brew Co. represents what a small town brewery is all about and its charm will easily win over craft beer aficionados and most anyone else who enjoys a place that is unpretentious and welcoming to all. It has all the ingredients of a first class operation, so be sure to visit Beer Tree Brew Co. the next time you’re in the Port Crane/Binghamton New York area. And tell them Great Beer Now sent you.
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