Things to do, places to eat, shows to see, places to stay in Madison County, NY      

After a couple of years of hard work, it was time to celebrate last night for Matt Whalen and Carrie Blackmore.  The pair are the owners of Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton, and their fledgling brewery took over the main line taps at the Colgate Inn last night in Hamilton.

A crowd of well over 100 people were waiting at 5:30 for the first keg to be tapped and the crowd stayed strong for several hours as people enjoyed the five different beers that Good Nature has developed. 
It was clear from the reception that everyone enjoyed the beers and Good Nature is off to a good start as Madison County's first brewery.  You can still grab a taste for yourself as their tasting room will continue regular hours from here on out.  You can taste their beers Tuesday-Thursday from Noon until 7 and Friday and Saturday from Noon until 8.  Their beers will also continue to be on tap at the Colgate Inn.  From all of us here at Madison County Tourism, CHEERS!

As many of you know, the good folks at Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton have been not so quietly celebrating their soft opening at the brewery and tasting room.  The response has been great so far. 

Now Matt and Carrie plan to storm in and take over the taps at the Colgate Inn this Friday night.  The takeover begins at 5:30 on January 27th and will last until the bar closes at in the wee hours of Saturday morning. 

All five varieties of beers brewed by Good Nature will be available for flights, tastes and enjoying by the pint.  Good Nature will be selling merchandise and owners Carrie Blackmore and Matt Whalen will be available to answer questions about their start up business and its beers. 

Madison County at one time was among the world leaders in hop production for the brewing of beer.  Good Nature Brewing’s grand opening is part of the resurgence of the hop industry and the craft brewing industry in Central New York.  Using as many local ingredients, including100% locally sourced hops, Good Nature currently offers five varieties of beers.  Those beers include, India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Chicory Mocha Porter, American Brown Ale and their newly released ‘Nor Easter.

_The Farm Bureau released this press release yesterday:

S.5078, a bill sponsored by Senator David Valesky, took an important step toward adoption today when it cleared the State Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business. The goal of the bill is to recreate the once vibrant New York hops growing industry and add to the already booming agri-tourism business.

_The agriculture and beer industries in New York State are already major job creating engines, pumping more than $4.7 and $1.2 billion into our economy each year respectively. The Farm Brewery license bill will allow for better synergy between these two important industries by allowing farmers to operate on and off premise accounts and also supply hops to other craft breweries.

The bill requires that a large percentage of the hops and other ingredients used to brew beer at a farm brewery be purchased within New York State. In the late 19th century, New York grew about 90 percent of the nation’s supply of hops, only to see the industry disappear with the advent of industrialized beer production. The rise of smaller niche and craft breweries represents a unique opportunity for hops farming to once again flourish in New York State.

“This bill represents a true win-win,” said Julie Suarez, director of public policy for New York Farm Bureau. “The licensing provisions will allow a farm brewer to bottle and sell their products on or off premises and in the wholesale or retail markets. This opens up new and exciting opportunities for farmers to enter the craft beer business and to increase farm related tourism. At the same time, the provisions that require farm brewers to use an escalating percentage of locally grown hops, will stimulate new opportunities for growers. Hop barns once dotted New York’s landscape, and if this bill is enacted, they will again.”

"This legislation is a real victory for the agricultural community and small businesses. In addition to providing new opportunities for farmers through increasing demand for local products used in beer production, it will stimulate agri-tourism much like we’ve seen with farm wineries in New York, and has the potential to create new jobs," Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida), sponsor of the legislation.

S.5078 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further review. A companion bill is carried by Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Magee in the New York State Assembly.

_Madison County has a long and storied hop farming tradition.  However, Madison County has never, ever been home to a commercial brewery.  That all changes officially tomorrow as Good Nature Brewing will open its doors and tap lines to the public. Owners Matt and Carrie sent out the good news via email this morning:

The big day is finally here!  We are fully licensed, and will be opening our tasting room for tastes and growler fills this Thursday (TOMORROW!), Friday, and Saturday.  Thursday we'll open from 3-7PM, Friday from 3-8PM, and Saturday from 12-8PM.  We have GNB growlers available here, but feel free to bring your own for filling.

We'll also be taking orders for our second generation of GNB pint glasses!  If you order now (instead of waiting until they come in) you get a dollar off!  

We are located at 37 Milford Street Suite #3 in Hamilton (across from Ray's and next door to M&M Press.  Look for the sign!  Call or email if you need help finding us.   

(315)824-1560

Starting next week, we'll go to our regular tasting room hours. 
Sunday/Monday:  Closed
Tues-Thurs:  12-7PM
Fri-Sat:  12-8PM

Tours by appointment!  

Cheers! 

Carrie & Matt 

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