Central New York Beer: A History of Brewing in the Heart of the Empire State

Withso many small towns loyal to local farms, food and drink, it’s no surprise thatCentral New York’s thriving brewing community stretches back to the early1800s. After Rome lost two breweries to fire in 1858, at least a dozen moreopened in the city over the next century. A group of Oneonta gentlemen decidedthe town needed a brewery in 1909, and in 2012, similar thinking launched RootsBrewing Company. Cooperstown is a beer destination, thanks to Brewery Ommegangand Council Rock, and breweries in nearby Canastota, Cazenovia, Garrettsville,Hamilton and Milford are now also drawing the thirsty masses. Local historianof hops Dan Shumway explores the long and sudsy story of beer in Central NewYork.