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!

The Colgate Inn in Hamilton has put together an incredible feast for February 2nd that will feature game meats, wines and beers.  Stretched out over five courses, dessert and cocktails the staff at the inn have designed a deep and well thought out menu.

You can check out the complete menu here, but it is obvious that a lot of time was spent picking beers, wines and game meats that not only showcased the flavors inherent in each, but also that showcase many local products too. 
The beer list includes beers from Good Nature Brewing Company, Ommegang and Middle Ages Brewing, all regional CNY breweries.  The wine list features Finger Lake beauties from Dr. Konstantin Frank, and Lamoreaux Landing. 
Local foods enhance a menu that will feature venison, duck, salmon, trout, and wild mushrooms.  Dessert will be a Sherry Wine with Blackberry Compote. 
The dinner begins with cocktails and a meet and greet at 6pm and the meal begins at 6:30.  You should make reservations soon, as this may be one of the best meals served in Central New York all year long. 

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.

It's a celebration of everything Scotland this weekend as the Brae Loch Inn in Cazenovia hosts its annual Burns Night.  In fact the celebration of the famous Scottish poet has turned into a three day weekend event.

Friday night the festivities kick off with Scotch tastings, Scottish finger foods and great Celtic rock by the Causeway Giants.  The music begins at 9pm and goes in to the wee morning hours. 
Saturday is the big day when the annual Burns dinner takes place.  There may or may not be a table left for reservations, so give the Brae Loch a call and find out at 315-655-3431.  If you can't make it this year, this an event for your bucket list.  It is a true Scottish celebration including cocktails and dinner at 6pm and the festivities which includes traditional Scottish music, pipers, dancers, poetry reading, stilling minstrels,  and the Address to the Haggis.
On Sunday the festivities wrap up with a Celtic brunch from 11am-2pm.  Enjoy the Brae Loch's famous Sunday Brunch with Scottish favorites while listening to Fiddle and Guitar with Ten Strings Duo.  

_ Cooking is and should be a lot of fun, but many don't even know where to start.  The Peppermill in Hamilton has your solution with their winter and spring cooking classes.  Here is the upcoming schedule.  Make sure you book early and Leslie's classes will sell out.

Thursday, February 16th –ONE DISH WONDERS – One pot is all it takes to prepare dishes that range from rustic to elegant - and all are good enough to share with company! Just add a salad and dinner is ready.  Bridle Creek Bed & Breakfast 6:30pm - $35.00

Thursday, March 15th –SUPER SUPPER SOUPS & SALADS – Go beyond your mom’s chicken soup.  In this class you will learn how to make 2 hearty and delicious soups and 2 go-with salads for a quick and delicious meal that even your kids will eat.  Bridle Creek Bed & Breakfast 6:30pm - $35.00

Thursday, April 19 – COOKING WITH BOURBON – Bourbon has been around since the late 1700’s.  Its unique and complex taste will be used in 4 different recipes.  Leslie will show you how easy it is to add depth to a variety of dishes using the sweet flavor of bourbon.  Bridle Creek Bed & Breakfast 6:30pm - $35.00

Thursday, May 24th- CLASSICAL ITALIAN – Learning to prepare Italian cuisine is more than learning to just cook.  It’s about the people, the food, the atmosphere and of course, the wine.  Four dishes from Italy will be prepared – some old favorites and some newer creations.  Bridle Creek Bed & Breakfast 6:30pm - $35.00

Thursday, June 14th - CHICKEN 4 WAYS – Chicken is a staple in most family menus, so why not learn some new ways to prepare it.  If you are looking for a way to spiff up you nightly menus, this is the class for you.  Guaranteed all new and different recipes!

Bridle Creek Bed & Breakfast 6:30pm - $35.00

Thursday, July 19th – 2ND ANNUAL BACK PORCH BBQ CLASS – Last year’s class was a blast so I am serving up another one for you.  All entrees will be cooked and served right off the grill.  Come sit, sip some wine and watch Leslie prepare 4 different grilled dishes that you will use all year long. 6:30pm till???  Leslie’s Back Porch.  Please note space is limited so register early!

Chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas will present a cooking demonstration Saturday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m., at the Colgate Inn, 1 Payne St. Seating will be limited, so advance ticket purchase is recommended at colgatebookstore.com/cookingdemo. Tickets are $10 and include admission to the event, food samples and a credit towards a cookbook.

The demonstration menu will include mom’s crab dip, grilled spice-rubbed salmon with spicy corn crepe and sweet goat cheese turnovers with hazelnuts, mint, and honey.

Douglas, along with his wife and business partner Jackie Cross, owns 10 of Seattle’s most exciting restaurants: Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, Palace Kitchen, Lola, Serious Pie (with two locations), Seatown Snack Bar, Cuoco, Ting Momo and Brave Horse Tavern.

With almost 30 years in the restaurant business, Douglas helped put Seattle on the culinary map by cooking global cuisine using regional and seasonal ingredients. He also runs a retail bakery, Dahlia Bakery, now with a second counter, the Dahlia Workshop; a catering business, Tom Douglas’ Catering and Events; and an event space, Palace Ballroom.

All of his restaurants are located in the downtown Seattle and South Lake Union neighborhood.

Douglas is the author of three cookbooks: Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen (Morrow, 2001), Tom’s Big Dinners (Morrow, 2003) and I Love Crab Cakes (Morrow, 2006), with two more in the works. In addition, Tom’s specialty food line, which includes “Rub with Love” spice rubs plus barbecue and teriyaki sauces, is sold nationwide.

The grapes are growing in preparation for the fall harvest at Owera Vineyards and the anticipation is building for an evening of celebration at the annual Taste of Cazenovia which will take place under the big tent at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia on Wednesday, September 21st from 6-9 pm.  For 40 years, the community has supported and embraced the mission and work of the Cazenovia Children’s House.  Cazenovia Children’s House, a not-for-profit charitable organization, proudly provides quality early care and education to the children of Cazenovia and surrounding areas. The Taste of Cazenovia is the largest fundraiser for the Children’s House and all proceeds support programming and tuition assistance for qualifying families with financial need.

 

This year’s Taste is generously hosted by our Valued Partner, Owera Vineyards and Presented by Willowbank Company, L.LC.  Event sponsors: Bryant & Stratton, Dannible & McKee, L.L.P., East Lake Designs - Maggie Borio, Ecologic LLC, Marquardt Switches, Inc., Key Bank, Pelco Component Technologies and GHD; Entertainment Sponsor: The Noisy Boys; Media Sponsors: Eagle Newspapers, Oneida Daily Dispatch, Southern Madison County Living and Table-Hopping Newspapers; Graphic Design Sponsor: bzdesign; Printing Sponsor: Avalon Printing Services.