New trail promotes area breweries

    FINGER LAKES—The Finger Lakes are already known for wine, but what about beer?
    Adam Smith and Theresa Hollister have started a Finger Lakes Beer Trail.
    They wanted to increase awareness and promotion of the region’s growing beer culture, so in February they co-founded Finger Lakes Beer Trail Marketing & Tourism Associates. While Smith and Hollister modeled the concept of the Finger Lakes Beer Trail after the wine trails of Seneca, Cayuga, Keuka and Canandaigua, the beer trail is not limited to just the outlines of the lakes. They have mapped out an area that spans roughly 135 miles across the central part of New York state.
    The primary means of promoting and marketing the Finger Lakes Beer Trail will be via the newly launched Web site, http://www.fingerlakesbeertrail.com, designed to showcase the microbreweries, brew pubs, tap houses, and brewing-affiliated businesses that constitute the Finger Lakes Beer Trail. Area breweries listed include Wagner Valley Brewing Company, Two Goats Brewing, The Crooked Rooster Brewpub (Roosterfish Brewing), Seneca Lodge Craft Brewing (Seneca Lodge), Finger Lakes Beer Company and Keuka Brewing Company.
    “The site is meant to provide information and inspiration for all things related to the beer culture of the Finger Lakes region,” said Hollister. “It’s a great way to build awareness of the area’s craft brewers, not only to tourists but also to local residents, many of whom may not be familiar with the variety of breweries and brew pubs we have here.”
    Among the Web site’s features are an interactive map and directory of brewing-related destination points, searchable by location and category. Also featured is a calendar of events aggregated from over two dozen different sources, making it the area’s most comprehensive resource for finding craft beer and brewing-related events and promotions. Visitors to the site can also comment on and rate the breweries they have visited.
For more, please contact Theresa Hollister at 607-759-4390 or via e-mail at theresa@fingerlakesbeertrail.com.