Craft beverages enjoy
business boom in Otsego
New places are popping up along
the Beverage Trail with interesting takes on classic locally sourced fare
By Kevin Limiti • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
Otsego County is famous for its Baseball Hall of Fame, art museums, hiking trails and more but there is also another thing that draws people to the region, its craft beverages.
Otsego County has its own beverage trail and is home to the internationally known Ommegang Brewery. But new places are popping, each with their own unique history, many of which source their ingredients locally.
Two of these places is Rustic Ridge Winery and the High Burl Brewery, which are on state Route 80, nestled between adjacent farms. The brewery and winery dogs, Ruger and Jake, greet the patrons as they beg for animal crackers and popcorn. Inside is a homey place filled with wine and good vibes, and bartended by Holly Bennett, no relation to the Bennett family who owns the winery.
“It’s a big family get-together here,” Bennett said and the winery/brewery pairing is the only one in the area with both that she knows about.