The Beer Diviner grew from Dr. Jonathan Post’s 2003 encounter with West African diviners, who told him to discover what the title meant for himself. After leaving academia, he built a small brewery on his property in Cherry Plain, where he continues to pursue that question through locally rooted brewing. The company identifies itself as New York State’s first farm brewery.
New York State Farm Brewery
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Twisted Rail Brewing CompanyTwisted Rail Brewing Company grew from founder John’s home-brewing hobby into a Finger Lakes brewery opened in 2013, now run by Ian and his wife Megan. Its small-batch beer is made under New York’s farm-brewery license, with local sourcing built into the operation and spent grain returned to nearby farmers as livestock feed. The company also brews for New York businesses seeking private-label beer.CANANDAIGUA, NY
Hopshire Farm and BreweryFamily-owned and run by Chris and Holly Rakow, Hopshire Farm & Brewery has brewed New York farm beer in Freeville since opening in 2013 as the state’s fifth farm brewery. The brewery uses locally sourced ingredients, sends spent grain to a nearby farm, and operates an onsite market garden, while its taproom doubles as a community gathering place for local food and live music.FREEVILLE, NY
Climbing Bines Craft Ale CompanyClimbing Bines Craft Ale Company grew from an eight-plant home-brewing experiment into a Finger Lakes farm brewery making small-batch ales with hops grown on its own 1.5-acre hop yard. Founded by Chris Hansen and Matt Klehammer, the brewery opened in 2013 in Chris Hansen’s grandfather’s renovated farm shed and now pairs fresh-off-the-farm beer with views of Seneca Lake and a community taproom. Its 16-acre property also serves as an event venue, including a 4,000-square-foot indoor space.PENN YAN, NY