Best Adirondack Breweries and Wineries: Where to Drink Well Up North
The best Adirondack breweries and wineries are worth planning a stop around, and if you have never explored the craft beverage scene up here, you are going to be surprised by how good it actually is. The Adirondack region has quietly built up a solid collection of local breweries, craft cideries, and small-batch wineries scattered across the park and surrounding towns. Whether you are stopping in Lake George, heading through Lake Placid, or passing through Saranac Lake, there are spots worth pulling over for.
This is not a list of tourist traps. These are places where the locals actually go, where the beer is brewed on-site, and where the view from the taproom is half the reason to visit.
Why Breweries in the Adirondacks Are Worth Seeking Out
The Adirondacks do not have a massive brewery scene like you would find in Burlington or Albany, but what is here tends to be good. Small operations that actually care about what they make. A lot of them source local ingredients, lean into the mountain identity, and offer outdoor seating or taproom setups that are genuinely enjoyable places to sit for a while. The breweries in the Adirondacks that have survived are the ones worth visiting because they earned their regulars.
If you are planning an Adirondack getaway, adding a brewery or winery stop is an easy way to break up a day of hiking or exploring without it feeling like you are rushing anywhere.
Best Adirondack Craft Beer Stops
These are the spots that consistently come up when locals talk about Adirondack craft beer. Each one is worth a visit on its own, and if you are doing a multi-day trip through the park you can realistically hit two or three without going far out of your way.
Lake Placid Pub and Brewery
Located right in the heart of Lake Placid on Mirror Lake Drive, this pub has been around since 1996 and became well known for its Ubu Ale, a strong English-style ale with a loyal following. The taproom is casual, the food is solid pub fare, and you can often see the brewing setup from inside. If you are in Lake Placid for any reason, this is a worthwhile stop. They distribute widely, but drinking it fresh in the taproom is a different experience than grabbing a six-pack from a grocery store downstate.
Paradox Brewery
Paradox Brewery is located in Schroon Lake and is one of the more scenically situated breweries in the Adirondacks. The taproom overlooks the property and the surrounding landscape, and they brew a range of styles from IPAs to stouts. It is a smaller operation but the quality is consistent and the setting is genuinely beautiful. Worth a drive if you are in the Schroon Lake or North Hudson area. Check their current tap list on the Paradox Brewery website before you go.
Big Slide Brewery and Public House
Located in Lake Placid, Big Slide is a newer addition to the local scene and has quickly become a regular hangout. They brew everything in-house and the menu pairs well with the beer. Named after one of the High Peaks trails, Big Slide leans into the outdoor culture of the area without being obnoxious about it. Good Adirondack craft beer with a more polished taproom experience than some of the older spots in the region.
Oval Wood Dish Brewing
Based in Tupper Lake, Oval Wood Dish is named after a local historical reference and is a community-focused spot that draws regulars from around the area. The beers tend toward approachable styles with some seasonals mixed in. Tupper Lake is an underrated town in the western Adirondacks and this brewery is a good reason to explore that side of the park.
Best Adirondack Taproom Experiences
The Adirondack taproom experience is different from a standard bar visit. You are usually in a building with character, surrounded by people who drove a little bit to get there, and the person pouring your beer probably brewed it. Here are a few spots where the taproom itself is part of the draw.
Donnelly’s Irish Pub and Lake George Brewing
Lake George has a growing brewery footprint and Donnelly’s is a good starting point if you are in the village. Casual atmosphere, local brews on tap, and the kind of place that does not take itself too seriously. A solid Adirondack taproom for a late afternoon pint after a day on the lake. Lake George has a number of bars worth walking between if you are spending time in the village.
Best Adirondack Winery Options
The Adirondack Park is not a traditional wine region the way the Finger Lakes is, but the areas just outside the park have a growing number of small wineries. If you are willing to drive a short distance from the main park boundaries, there are some solid options for Adirondack winery visits.
Adirondack Winery
Adirondack Winery has two tasting room locations, one in Lake George and one in Bolton Landing, which makes it the most accessible Adirondack winery for park visitors. They produce their wines locally and carry a wide range from dry reds to sweet fruit wines. The Lake George tasting room is right in the village, walkable from most accommodations, and a good rainy-day activity. They also ship to most states. More on their current offerings at the Adirondack Winery website.
Ledge Rock Hill Winery
Located in Corinth at the southern edge of the Adirondack region, Ledge Rock Hill is a family-run winery with a relaxed tasting room and a mix of fruit wines and grape wines suited to the local climate. The owners are typically on-site and happy to talk through what they make. A good stop if you are coming from the Capital Region or heading toward Lake George from the south. Hours are seasonal so call ahead.
Saratoga Winery
Technically in Saratoga Springs rather than inside the park, Saratoga Winery is worth mentioning because it is very accessible if you are coming from the south. They have a solid selection of locally produced wines and the tasting room is open most days. Pair a stop here with Saratoga Spa State Park or the Race Course if the timing lines up.
Tips for Visiting the Best Adirondack Breweries and Wineries
- Call ahead or check social media before visiting smaller spots. Hours change seasonally and some close for private events.
- Most taprooms and tasting rooms take cards but cash is always good to have.
- If you are hitting multiple stops, have a designated driver or use rideshare. Uber and Lyft do operate in the region.
- Pair a brewery stop with a meal at one of the other restaurants in the Adirondacks for a full evening out.
- Fall is the best season for taproom visits. Foliage adds to the atmosphere and outdoor seating is worth using before winter hits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adirondack Breweries and Wineries
Are there breweries inside Adirondack Park?
Yes. Paradox Brewery in Schroon Lake, Big Slide Brewery in Lake Placid, Oval Wood Dish in Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid Pub and Brewery are all inside or directly adjacent to the park boundaries. The park covers six million acres so distances between them are significant. Plan your route before you go.
Is there a wine trail in the Adirondacks?
There is no formal Adirondack wine trail, but Adirondack Winery has two locations in the Lake George area and Ledge Rock Hill is accessible from the southern Adirondack region. The Upper Hudson Valley and Saratoga area have additional wineries within easy driving distance.
What is the most popular brewery in the Adirondacks?
Lake Placid Pub and Brewery is the most recognized name, largely because of how long it has been around and because its Ubu Ale is distributed regionally. Big Slide Brewery in Lake Placid also gets consistently strong reviews from both locals and visitors.
Can I do a brewery tour in the Adirondacks?
Some breweries offer informal tours if you ask, particularly smaller operations like Paradox Brewery. There is no organized multi-stop brewery tour company in the Adirondacks currently, but building your own route through two or three spots in a day is very doable, especially if you are based in Lake Placid.
When is the best time to visit Adirondack breweries?
Summer and fall are the best seasons. Summer keeps all taprooms open with extended hours. Fall adds the foliage backdrop and is typically less crowded than peak summer. Winter is possible but some smaller spots cut their hours significantly. The Adirondacks in winter guide covers what is open and worth doing in the cold months.
Do Adirondack wineries and breweries offer food?
It varies. Lake Placid Pub and Brewery and Big Slide Brewery both serve food. Most tasting rooms at smaller wineries do not offer full meals but many allow outside food or carry light snacks. Check ahead if food is important to your visit.
