The Ultimate Guide to Syracuse Breweries

Last updated on July 13, 2022.

The craft beer industry has taken the world by storm, and Syracuse has been no stranger to this. In the past few years, we have seen several new breweries pop up around town. So many that there are now over 20 breweries within 40 minutes of Syracuse! Luckily, I’ve been to them all and I’ve done the research for you. Here’s a rundown of each of the Syracuse breweries – and those nearby – so you can plan your own CNY brewery tour. And remember, always have a designated driver or other means of responsible transportation if you plan on doing several in one day.

Before you start heading out to all the breweries in Syracuse, make sure you download the NYS Craft Beer App. You can “stamp your passport” at every different brewery in New York and earn prizes. Plus the map in the app is a great way to find new breweries you haven’t visited yet!

Syracuse Breweries

Bullfinch Brewing
Buried Acorn Brewing Company
Critz Farms Brewing & Cider Co.
Eastwood Brewing Company
Full Boar Craft Brewery
Freight Yard Brewing
Griffin Hill Farm Brewery
Heritage Hill Farmhouse
Hot House Brewing
Local 315 Brewing Company
Meier’s Creek Brewing Company
Middle Ages Brewing Company
ONCO Fermentations
Red Hawk Brewing Company
Seneca Street Brew Pub
Skaneateles Brewery
Stout Beard Brewing Company
Talking Cursive Brewing Company
Underground Beer Lab
Willow Rock Brewing Company
WT Brews

Bullfinch Brewing

306 Hiawatha Blvd (inside Destiny USA)
Syracuse, NY 13204

Bullfinch Brewing might be the newest brewery to open in Syracuse, but they are already serving some of the best beers in town. With experience at both Gordon Biersch and Resurgence Brewing, head brewer Dave Collins has perfected his craft. The tap list at Bullfinch includes styles for everyone’s palate. My favorite? The Hex Hefe – it’s a perfect hefeweizen reminiscent of my time in Germany. Other beers include Mind Flayer – a fantastic coffee stout, a handful of IPAs, and two standout sour ales.

One of the best parts of Bullfinch? It’s themed after Dungeons and Dragons. You’ll see nods to the popular game in the brewery logo, beer names, and décor. It’s only appropriate that they host board game meet-ups with CuseCon every Tuesday, and trivia on Thursdays.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Yes. NYS wine, liquor, and non-alcohol options.
To-go options?	Growler fills.
Food available?	Yes.
Dog-friendly?	No.
Outdoor Seating?	No.
Weekly events?	Tuesdays – board games with CuseCon Thursdays – trivia

Buried Acorn

881 Van Renssalaer Street
Syracuse, NY 13204

One of the newer breweries in town, Buried Acorn is located right near Destiny USA mall, so it’s got a prime location! Inside, you’ll find a great atmosphere and awesome bartenders, outside is a dog-friendly patio.

Buried Acorn specializes in barrel-aged sours and farmhouse beers, but has other styles that are great too. Timothy Lucien Shore has been brewing up creative concoctions for years. He’s excited to now have a brewery to share his brews with other people. Their second location opened up near Ithaca, and the third location is opening soon in downtown Syracuse!

When you visit the brewery, be sure to take some time to appreciate the really awesome art murals by Jeff, AKA @cafescrambler.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Heron Hill wines.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Tuesday Trivia

Critz Farms Brewing & Cider Co.

3232 Rippleton Rd.
State Route 13 South
Cazenovia, NY 13035

As a family-owned business, Critz Farms has been leading the agricultural scene in Central New York for several decades. Enjoy maple syrup in the spring, blueberries and sunflowers in the summer, apple and pumpkin picking in the fall, and Christmas trees in the winter. So it’s no surprise that they’ve added brewing and cider making to their expertise!

Critz Farms Brewery & Cidery uses almost entirely locally grown ingredients, many times right from their own fields. Their Harvest Moon cider line came along first. It ranges from dry to sweet, and features many of the fruits grown on the property. Then they expanded into brewing, and now create a mix of core and seasonal beers. So next time you’re at the farm for a seasonal favorite activity, stop into the tap room and enjoy a drink or two.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Cider (hard and fresh), wine, and soda.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Yes, at the cafe.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Seasonal festivals and live music.

Eastwood Brewing Company

108 Walter Drive
Syracuse, NY 13206

Eastwood started in 2013 as Double Barrel Brewing Company. But, due to copyright issues, the brewery was forced to change its name and settled on Eastwood, representative of the neighborhood where it is located. If you’re lucky, the brewery dog, Nessie (a yellow lab), will be there when you visit! (RIP Sally; you are dearly missed!)

Eastwood is full of Syracuse sports memorabilia. From the color of the paint to the decor on the walls, Syracuse is everywhere! Also, the tap list is always changing. Pete likes to experiment with different hops and flavors, so you’ll never know what will be on tap when you visit! Unless you visit their Facebook page of course.

A few highlights from their tap list include the Kubal Espresso Stout (using espresso from Café Kubal) and the C-4 IPA.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Crowlers and Growlers.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Limited.
Weekly events?	Not currently.

Freight Yard Brewing Company

4975 State Route 31
Clay, NY 13041

Freight Yard Brewing Company is one of the few women-owned breweries in New York. Not just owned, but the head brewer is a woman. That’s right, Lou Sotherden makes all the beer for Freight Yard, and owns the brewery along with her husband, Bryan. She learned how to brew while she was at Chatham Brewery, south of Albany.

Since it’s a farm brewery, their beers are made from almost entirely New York ingredients – most beers are over 90% locally sourced! The brewery gets its name from the location – on the railroad tracks on Route 31 in Clay. The taproom has some awesome bar stools made form giant springs – so be careful if you have two many brews! There is also a nice biergarten outside where you can enjoy a beer and get some food from one of the many food trucks that visit regularly.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	NY spirits, cider, and soda.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Not currently.

Full Boar Craft Brewery

628 S. Main Street
North Syracuse, NY 13212

The closest brewery to our house, we are regular customers and proud mug club members at Full Boar Craft Brewery. We’ve gotten to know the owners, Dave and Eric, pretty well. Both of them are local guys with a passion for beer, and they are fantastic at what they do. A few years ago they brought Blaine in to be the head brewer to round out the team.

Full Boar hosts a variety of events at the brewery including live music trivia, and food trucks. They do collaborations with other local businesses. Most recently they have done a beer-and-donut pairing and a beer-and-wing night.

While you’re in the taproom, say hello to “Heavy G” – the real boar’s head on the wall above the taps. I highly recommend visiting on a Wednesday because that’s the Randall night. Every week they take a different beer of theirs and infuse it with fruits, candies, or spices.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	NY wine, cider, and craft soda.
To-go options?	Crowlers, growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Sunday Crowler Specials, Wednesday Randall, & Thursday Trivia

Griffin Hill Farm Brewery

Griffin Hill Farm Brewery is the only one of the Syracuse breweries that does not have a taproom. But that doesn’t mean we leave them off the list! Griffin Hill’s home base is the CNY Regional Market on Saturdays in Syracuse, where they offer tastings and bottles for sale. You can also call to place an order and pick it up at the brewery.

Since they are a farm brewery, Griffin Hill sources most of their ingredients from New York State. That includes all of the fresh hops grown right on their property. Guaranteed to make their beers fresh and delicious.

Looking for more local breweries? Check out these breweries in Utica and more breweries in Hammondsport!

Heritage Hill Brewhouse

3149 Sweet Road
Jamesville, NY 13078

If you’re looking for the brewery with the best view near Syracuse, Heritage Hill Brewhouse wins, hands down. You just can’t beat the sunsets over the rolling hills of farmland from their outdoor seating area. And, of course, the beers are great too! The brewhouse has a full menu of food available, featuring beef grown directly on the farm. No frozen stuff here!

The brewery got its start when Dan Palladino wanted to carry on his family’s farming roots. But he needed a brewer to lead the charge. That’s where his friend John Frazee came in. John had been brewing at Gravity out in Colorado, but after a fruitful conversation among friends, he moved home to Pompey to brew at Heritage Hill. The brewery opened its doors to the public on October 12, 2018.

If you’re looking for a great place to hold an event, large or small, consider the brewhouse. They have an hourly rental space for groups of up to 35, and the private barn for up to 130 guests. They also offer party packages for the kiddos to enjoy a tractor ride, play on the playground, and visit the farm animals. Don’t worry – you can say hi to the animals at the brewery too.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Yes
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Yes – a full, delicious menu!
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Wednesday Trivia

Hot House Brewing

6200 South Bay Road
Cicero, NY 13039

When Hot House Brewing joined the Syracuse brew scene, they did so in the most unique setting. The brewery is located in the greenhouse at the corner of South Bay and Thompson Rd in Cicero. You won’t expect it to be a brewery from its exterior, but if you walk through the front shop, you’ll get to the bar in the back! But take some time to wander around the shop – there is some awesome artwork and food from local artisans and vendors for sale.

I remember as a kid going to Barone Gardens to get plants for our garden and food for our animals. Now, as an adult, I can go there with my dog and grab a pint to drink in the greenhouse. How cool is that?!
Also, not surprisingly, they grow their own hops. Their goal is to be able to utilize LED lighting in the greenhouses to produce multiple hop harvests throughout the year.

Fun fact: Hot House names their beers after local places in Cicero.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	A bistro serving paninis, apps, and salads.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Not quite, unless you count drinking in the greenhouse!
Weekly events?	Live music & trivia.

Local 315 Brewing Company

3160 Warners Road
Camillus, NY 13164

Local 315 Brewing Company is is located out in the countryside south of the city. The taproom is a bit out of the way, but worth the drive! Plus, you can see some cool Syracuse artifacts in the taproom.

The brewery has gotten pretty popular in the past year due to the expansive outdoor area. They often host live music and various food trucks on site. Inside, they highlight the history of Central New York with artifacts and patents on the walls. Did you know that the foldable pocket knife and the adjustable shoe sizer were made in Syracuse? Well now you do!

Outside you can also say hi to the goats. That’s important. And they have a pink tractor. You can’t beat that.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes, lots!
Weekly events?	Live music on Fridays and Saturdays.

Meier’s Creek Brewing Company

33 Rippleton Road
Cazenovia, NY 13035

You may recognize Meier’s Creek Brewing Company if you’re visiting for the first time. That’s because it used to be Empire Farm Brewery. Located in the rolling hills of Cazenovia, the brewery building itself is a beauty. It’s surrounded by a field of hop vines and a beautiful outdoor patio with fire pits in the back.

The beers at Meier’s Creek are all originals, since Empire sold their recipes to Ellicottville. But I think they are even better than before! Sours, IPAs, stouts… something for everyone. Grab a flight served on a paddle to try a few different styles. The whole vibe of the brewery is very outdoorsy, and they even have their own disc golf course on the property. They also host live music regularly.

Meier’s Creek is also one of the only Syracuse-area breweries to serve a full menu. The Wagyu beef comes from a nearby farm, and most of the ingredients are sourced locally. I highly recommend the truffle parmesan fries and the brisket!

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Wine.
To-go options?	Growlers, crowlers, bottles, and cans.
Food available?	Yes – a full menu of deliciousness.
Dog-friendly?	Yes, outside only.
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Live music.

Middle Ages Brewing Company

120 Wilkinson Street
Syracuse, NY 13204

Syracuse’s 2nd oldest brewery, Middle Ages, has been around since 1995. Located in the former Sealtest ice cream factory, Middle Ages has expanded from its small tap room to a beautiful new public house (right next door!). The picnic tables and fireplace make the place so warm and inviting – plus their hours have expanded!

As the name suggests, Middle Ages is themed after the medieval time period, and most of the beers reflect that and are British-inspired. To start, a full-size knight is there to greet you when you enter the brewery (unfortunately he is nameless; I asked). Every summer the brewery holds a huge anniversary celebration, complete with live music, food, and other festivities. They also offer a yearly membership which provides you with discounts on beer and merchandise.

Lastly, Middle Ages also brews the Ape Hanger Ale and Smoked Porter specifically for another Syracuse favorite – you can find the beers exclusively at nearby Dinosaur BBQ.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Growlers, crowlers, bottles, and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks & popcorn.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Not currently.

ONCO Fermentations

397 NY RT 281
Tully, NY 13159

Located south of Syracuse in Tully, ONCO Fermentations is crafting up some great brews. Brian and Erin Bullard opened the brewery in the spring of 2019. While it took roughly 10 years to realize their dream of opening a brewery, they’ve quickly earned a reputation for great beer. Brian is the head brewer – and also the architect of the building. Erin is the taproom manager and marketing specialist.

For craft beer lovers local to the brewery, they offer a “Friends in Fermentation Club” for a yearly membership fee. Benefits include larger pours, free birthday beers, discounts on beer to-go and mercy, access to exclusive releases.

When visiting the brewery, make sure to check in your beers on Untappd to receive free rewards! (The first is a brewery sticker.)

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	New York wine and cider.
To-go options?	Cans.
Food available?	Their in-house chef operates a food truck in the summer and kitchen in the winter.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Thursday Trivia and live music.

Red Hawk Brewing Company

4504 Bussey Rd
Syracuse, NY 13215

Red Hawk Brewing Company is one of the only local breweries to be led by a female brewer. And when you visit, she’ll be happy to tell you stories about learning to cook and brew from her grandmother and how that inspired her.

They specialize in Old World and Belgian style ales, which tend to be more on the tart side. Following in the European theme, the brewery serves cheddar brats along with cheese plates to enjoy while you drink. If you’re interested in learning more about the brewery and the brewing process, they offer tours with samples of the beer. Tours are not offered on weekends and are subject to availability.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	NY wine, cider, and soda.
To-go options?	Growlers.
Food available?	A small menu of brats, pizza, and nachos.
Dog-friendly?	No.
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Not currently.

Seneca Street Brew Pub

315 East Seneca Street
Manlius, New York 13104

A family-owned farm brewery, Seneca Street Brew Pub opened in 2016. The brewery is located in the old baptist church in the center of Manlius. Many of the hops they use are grown on the Menikheim family’s farm nearby. They specialize in brewing ales and lagers with a variety of flavors seasonally. The brew pub also has a sister brewery owned by the family in Canastota, Erie Canal Brewing Company.

The brew pub lives up to its name, offering both beer and food. Their menu is small, but features several different gourmet grilled cheeses, pizza, and soft pretzels. Yum! The pub has a full bar with an impressive 28 tap lines. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a private event room.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Wine, cider, and spirits.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Yes.
Dog-friendly?	Yes, outside.
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Tuesday Trivia.

Skaneateles Brewery

4022 Mill Rd
Skaneateles, NY 13152

When you first drive up to Skaneateles Brewery, you might think you’re in the wrong place. It has a strong farm vibe and no paved parking lot, so it feels like you’re visiting someone’s house. And that feeling remains throughout your whole visit – in the best way possible! I finally had the chance to visit Skaneateles Brewery recently and I have to say I loved it. Everyone there felt like old friends, they were so welcoming and friendly. Other guests commentated on our game of Giant Uno, and visitors brought their dogs to us to say hello. In other words, my dream afternoon.

Skaneateles Brewery was established in an old mill by two friends with a dream. The building is full of history and charm, and now beer! When visiting the taproom, you can get a great view of the brewing floor below. They offer the full variety of beers, from IPAs and sours, to blondes and lagers, to stouts. Their pumpkin beer is incredible!

Last Shot Distillery is also located in the building, and they offer some delicious spirits. I highly recommend their chocolate creme brûlée liqueur.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Spirits from Last Shot Distilling.
To-go options?	Growlers and crowlers.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Thirsty Thursday – $5 pints & live music on the weekends.

Stout Beard Brewing Company

New location in Liverpool coming soon!

Contrary to what the name suggests, Stout Beard Brewery Company makes more than just stouts. They brew up a variety of wheat beers, IPAs, and other ales in addition to their stouts. As a NYS farm brewery, they source as many ingredients as possible from local growers.

The brewery originally opened in 2016 on the corner of Geddes and Fayette Streets. But due to zoning limitations, they closed the small taproom a year later. In 2018 they reopened in a bigger, better location in the Westcott neighborhood. Now, they are currently renovating the old bowling alley in Liverpool with hopes of opening up by the end of Summer 2022.

The name comes from the epic beards grown by the original two owners and their love of dark beers. They still brew at their original location.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Cold brew coffee and spirits.
To-go options?	Growlers.
Food available?	Yes – pretzels, tacos, and pizzas.
Dog-friendly?	No.
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Wednesday Trivia

Talking Cursive Brewing Company

301 Erie Blvd W.
Syracuse, NY 13202

Before Talking Cursive even opened, they already had won medals for their beer. The brewery opening was in the works for a few years, so they were brewing long before the taproom/restaurant opened. According to their website, they visited 175 different breweries while doing research for Talking Cursive. Now that’s dedication!

Owned by Andrew Brooks, Patricia Brooks, and Susan Kimmel, Talking Cursive pays respect to Syracuse’s brewing history. They are determined to bring back the grandeur of brewing that once was in the city. The fermenters at the brewery are named after former brewers throughout Syracuse’s history.

One of the best things about Talking Cursive is that they give a small percentage of their profits back to local charities. Also, they have “Hero Night” every Thursday from 4-8pm where military, police, firefighters, nurses, teachers, and other heroes get BOGO on their first beer. How cool is that?!

Their menu has weekly specials that are both delicious and constantly changing. So make sure you are following them on social media to see what’s on the menu for the week! You won’t regret it. They also do seasonal brewer’s dinners featuring food and beer pairings.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Wine, cider, and spirits.
To-go options?	Crowlers and cans.
Food available?	Yes – naan pizza, mac & cheese, and weekly specials
Dog-friendly?	Outside only.
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Hero Thursday.

Underground Beer Lab

7000 Airways Park Dr, Suite D
East Syracuse NY 13057

Longtime friends Brian Berry and Kevin Taylor decided they wanted to start their own brewery in 2017. Together they established Underground Beer Lab, basing their concept on brewing experimental beers in the basement. While trying to get the brewery started, they met Keith Lindner. Keith had several years of professional brewing experience – at Eastwood, Stout Beard, Critz, and Heritage Hill. It was a match made in brewery heaven and the duo soon became a trio.

When you visit Underground Beer Lab, you’ll notice they specialize in IPAs and pale ales. Why? They brew what they like to drink! And they know what they’re doing because their taproom opened this spring, and they already won two awards from the NYS Brewers Association. Defies Logic Hazy Pale Ale won silver and the Connectivity I Farmhouse Ale took home bronze.

Pro tip: If you’re a fan of Treehouse beer, you’ll love UGL. And you don’t have to drive to Massachusetts to get it!

Currently Underground’s beers are only available in cans. No kegs, no drafts, just cans. And while UGL has some staples in their lineup, they are being creative with their rotating series. A handful of their beers are parts of series – so you’ll notice numbers in the names and QR codes on the labels. Scan the QR code to find out the exact type of hops that were used in that version of the beer. Those ones are always changing, living up to their experimental nature.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Cans.
Food available?	No.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Limited.
Weekly events?	Not currently.

Willow Rock Brewing Company

115 Game Road
Syracuse, NY 13210

We were super excited when Willow Rock opened in November 2015. That’s because we knew one of the guys who started the brewery! It has been a joy to watch Kevin and Rockney grow their business that began as a home-brewing hobby in their houses. Willow Rock has quickly become a favorite place to hang out to watch Syracuse sports and enjoy the local food truck scene.

If you ask them, Kev and Rock say that they have the best brewery beards in Syracuse. If you ask me? The atmosphere and company is great! The guys are laid back and they are always looking to try out new events and get involved in the Syracuse community. They also host a food truck rodeo every week in the summer with rotating trucks available. Inside you’ll find foosball, shuffleboard, and corn hole. And the tv is always airing sports! SU basketball and football, Buffalo Bills, and NY Rangers are the guys’ favorites.

As for the beer, it’s pretty great. And I don’t just say that because they’re my friends! They make lots of great brews for every style. Mister Zero, Brunch, Jorts, and Membeer Berries are a few fan favorites. And while everyone seems to be jumping on the seltzer train lately, Willow Rock’s seltzers are far better than any other I’ve tried. Plus, the mint lime one tastes like a mojito and there’s nothing better than that.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	No.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Wednesday Food Truck Rodeo, Thursday Trivia

WT Brews

18 E. Genesee St.
Baldwinsville, NY 13027

WT Brews has seen a lot of growth and change since it first opened. It began as a farm brewery on Patchett Road with a small taproom. Then it moved into the village of Baldwinsville with a pretty tiny taproom. Now they have a slightly larger space right on the waterfront, behind the Bville Diner. Even better, they recently opened a second location in Seneca Falls, also on the water.

WT hosts limited release events for their beer throughout their year. If they announce the peanut butter fudge beer or the Grodziskie, you better hurry! They don’t last long. Because they are extra delicious.

Brewery Info

Non-beer options?	Local wine and cocktails.
To-go options?	Growlers and cans.
Food available?	Rotating food trucks.
Dog-friendly?	Yes!
Outdoor Seating?	Yes.
Weekly events?	Wednesday Trivia.

Which of these breweries in and around Syracuse is your favorite and why? Tell me in the comments! Then, get back out there and keep supporting our local brewers. 🙂

Also, follow me on Untappd to see what I’m currently drinking. Cheers!