Gov. Kathy Hochul has declared Friday, April 11, as New York Craft Beer Day.
Well, if the governor says it’s OK to have a craft beer, why not? Make it two, if you have a driver or another safe way to get home.
So, what happens on New York Craft Beer Day?
It’s a day to celebrate and in doing so, honor New York’s more than 500 independent craft breweries who support 22,000 jobs and generate a $4.8 billion economic impact, according to the folks at the New York State Brewers Association.
New York Craft Beer Day is also an opportunity to honor the beer makers who drive this evolving industry with their creativity and dedication, they go on to say.
Dan Hicks enjoys a Girl Scout cookie and Orange Creamsicle Sour beer during a pairing event recently at Noble Shepherd Craft Brewery. The governor has declared April 11 as New York Craft Beer Day as a way to encourage folks to visit and celebrate craft brewers.
What, you say you have to work on New York Craft Beer Day?
Paul Leone, executive director of the organization, has a sample letter at https://thinknydrinkny.com/governor-kathy-hochul-declares-april-11-new-york-craft-beer-day/ to help you get out of work and support the local, regional and New York state economy, like any good New Yorker would and should do, especially in these uncertain economic times.
In fact, a beer might help you forget about all that!
Hopefully Leone’s letter carries more weight than, dating myself here, a note signed by Epstein’s mother (you forgot all about “Welcome Back, Kotter,” didn’t you?). Here goes:
To whom it may concern:
Please accept this letter as a written notice that our friend and loyal fan (your name goes here) is unable to attend work and/or any other obligations on Friday, April 11, 2025, in observance of New York Craft Beer Day.
Sincerely,
Paul Leone
Executive Director
New York State Brewers Association
P.S. You should join (your supervisor’s name here).
Ways to enjoy New York Craft Beer Day
While I didn’t get a “get out of work free card” for Friday, it might work for you — give it a try.
Then, try a style of beer you haven’t tried before. Visit a new place. Visit a familiar place but try an unfamiliar beer.
Obviously, you can’t hit up all 500-plus breweries in New York in one day, so make a list of places to go. Make every day New York Craft Beer Day.
Suggestions on where to go on New York Craft Beer Day
If my boss had given me the day off to celebrate*, here are the places I’d go.
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Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. is a Buffalo operation that opened in March at the site that used to house Roc Brewing Co. and, for a time, F.L.X. Wienery. It’s on South Union Street in downtown Rochester. Go for its IPAs, stouts or lagers.
Head out for a visit to Belgium, or at the next best place in the Finger Lakes.
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Brewery Ardennes, which is at 570 Snell Road, Geneva. was named New York Belgian-Style Brewery of the Year at the New York International Beer Competition in 2024 and One of the World’s Best Breweries to Watch in 2024 by Hop Culture Magazine. A brewmaster dinner pairing event is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 11 and 12 (this special Beersperience is limited to 16 guests each evening), featuring house-smoked scallops, pan-seared fresh catch and poached pear, each paired with some of this award-winning brewery’s finest.
Kegs are stacked and ready for filling at the Strangebird brewpub on Marshall Street in Rochester Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.
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Two Rochester recommendations: Strangebird, an award-winner in its own right, and Three Heads Brewing. Both are fun and both offer great selections. Strangebird is at 62 Marshall St.; Three Heads is at 186 Atlantic Ave.
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Out Canandaigua way, you can visit several in one trip: Frequentem Brewing Co. and Peacemaker Brewing Co. are practically neighbors in downtown Canandaigua. The Other Half Canandaigua, which is across Lakeshore Drive from Canandaigua Lake, is nearby as is Naked Dove Brewing Co., which is just outside the city on state Routes 5 and 20. If you head towrd the Thruway, ReInvention Brewery and Rebel Sailor in Manchester and Shortsville, respectively, also offer fine and varied beers to celebrate the day.
A few fun-named beers to try on New York Craft Beer Day
A while back, I wrote a column on beers with fun names to try. Here’s a five more:
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When in Naples, Engine 14 Brewing Co., 52 West Ave., Naples, — yes, the brewery with the red fire truck — offers this one: Sergeant Piper’s, a Scottish ale. I can almost hear the bagpipes a calling’ from a Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A flight of beers at Canandaigua’s Peacemaker Brewing.
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Peacemaker Brewing Co. in Canandaigua, which names its beers after titles and snippets of lyrics of songs by Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, brewer and owner Todd Reardon’s favorite band, has one on the menu for the way I feel looking out at the lawn and seeing all the work that needs to be done. Before tackling winter’s debris, yes, I’ll have a Captain Suburbia Cream Ale, please.
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Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., which recently brewed the New York Farm Bureau’s branded AGRO-NYS cream ale, offers Uncle Gilbert Porter, named in honor of Gilbert Porter. Not sure who that it is, but maybe it’s time to get to know him. Lunkenheimer is at 8931 N. Seneca St., Weedsport, Cayuga County.
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And because it’s that baseball time of year, Red Wing Red Ale from Rohrback Brewing Co. in Rochester. Go Wings!
* Now that this column is done, I feel a sniffle coming on. Maybe I better call in sick Friday.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: New York Craft Beer Day is April 11: Breweries to visit, beers to try
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