After a summer spent close to home (and an unexpected hiatus for our Wagoneer as it awaits a new engine), we were itching for a mini road trip this month. We made a quick trip to Cooperstown last fall, but the one thing on our list that we didn’t have time for was a stop at Brewery Ommegang. So, with the forecast calling for sunny skies and 80 degrees, we decided there was no better location for a quick adventure.
You know your destination is going to be good when you wind up using barns as landmarks along the way. We oohed and ahhed at the farms, fields, and views along our drive, and upon pulling up to the farmstead Brewery, with its welcoming white archway framing the rolling hills behind it, we immediately decided that a trip back during foliage season is a must. If you’re looking for a mini road trip destination this fall, read on for our favorites from our trip to Brewery Ommegang.
EAT + DRINK
Café Ommegang | First things first - after a couple of hours on the road, we were ready for a bite to eat, and of course, a beer! Brewery Ommegang just recently renovated its Visitors’ Center + Café and we were excited to enjoy it from a table under their new outdoor pavilion, with views of the hills and hops behind us. We picked our favorites after a flight (Witte for me + the Nirvana IPA for Tom), and ordered some snacks, which we quickly devoured before our tour.
Don’t miss: the frites! Served with truffle mayo, garlic aioli, and my fav - the sun-dried tomato pesto - they were gone in an embarrassing amount of time.
SEE + STROLL
The Grounds | The brewery grounds are a destination in and of itself. With no shortage of space to roam, we grabbed our beers, sipped, and strolled. A quick walk up the back hill had us exploring the rows of hops, and two pretty perches await for you to rest and take in the view of the brewery below. Highly recommend for sunset!
Tour + Tasting | It wouldn’t be a visit here without a behind the scenes look at the brewing process and an even more extensive sampling of their beer. We found new favorites (Fruition for me, Hopstate for Tom), and of course, made our way into the shop afterward to grab some to take home. Get there early on weekends, because tours + tastings filled up fast!
Don’t miss: the events! Firepit Fridays with live music, drink specials and you guessed it - a bonfire; Brunch Bingo on Sundays, complete with a beermosa (yes, please!); and Bed and Brew - an exclusive craft beer experience in collaboration with The Inn at Cooperstown, including a beer and food pairing dinner (sign me up!). I already have my eyes peeled for their concert schedule next summer - Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats played there this past summer and I can only imagine what a fun show that must’ve been!
And lastly, please oh please, drink responsibly, and arrange for a designated driver or a ride back into town if you’re planning to indulge. Brewery Ommegang recommends A & D Taxi or Uber.
*This post was in partnership with our friends at Brewery Ommegang, a destination we’ve had on our list to visit for years. We were thrilled to finally make the trip and it exceeded our expectations. We’ve since recommended it to our friends and family, and happily now, to you! Thanks for supporting the businesses that support The Yellow Note.