We hiked Watkins Glen and needed some food and adult beverages. Grist Iron Brewing was the place!…read more It's set up on a hill so have a great view of Seneca Lake. They have a lot of beer choices, seltzers where you can add your own flavoring, and a decent selection of wine. Food options are good too and the portions... huge! We got the pulled pork nachos and the buffalo chicken wing dip. Both were delicious. They have reasonable priced merch so be sure to check that out as well. We put this on our "favorites" list :)

Pretty nice venue, large open areas, high ceilings. very friendly bartenders who allowed samples. I…read morehad a flight, we didn't order any food, but it all looked amazing! beer was good, had good flavor and the flights were relatively cheap. Great view as well!

Best pizza I've ever had ... could Use a little sauce for…read morethe crust but the Hector Hot Chicken hit different! Super tasty! Side salad was also super fresh and made with love. The view on the deck with the sunset and live music was ALL THE VIBE! And the service ... wow ... literally a stream of folks checking on us, clearing dishes, bringing us water, food ... never needed a thing ... super attentive and helpful. 10 out of 10 would highly recommend ...

4 - I'd drive 30 minutes out of my way just to come here. Skip to the end to see my rating scale…read more First time at Scale House but not our first trip to the FLX. There are a few really good breweries in the area and Scale House is right up there with them. If you've read any of my other brewery reviews, you know my top three considerations are outdoor seating (meaning it's dog friendly), convenient food choices, and of course the quality of the beer. They have a spacious covered deck and a great lawn area, so their outdoor seating is excellent. They have an outdoor stage and we were fortunate to get to see some of the local talent performing the afternoon we were there. The inside area is also pretty roomy for a brewery and has more of the industrial/earthy feel that I dig, rather than a contemporary vibe. They also have a built-in pizza shop and it appears as though many patrons go there as much for the pizza as the beer. My one regret from our trip is that I didn't take advantage of the opportunity to grab a pie there...it looked fantastic. Top it all off with a solid beer selection and Scale House is definitely a place that I'd go a little out of my way to visit. I am going to try to talk my wife into heading back there...mostly to get a shot at trying a Meat Special. My rating scale: 1 - Just don't 2 - You'll survive, but there are better choices close by 3 - Good choice if you're in the area 4 - I'd drive 30 minutes out of my way just to come here 5 - I'd try to convince my wife to drive an hour just to come here

Lovely space with lots of interesting decor...even the bathrooms!…read more Staff was great on my recent late afternoon visit. He was very friendly and provided some great information on the cask-brewing process and how it differs from the American process. The few beers in my flight (about $12ish) all tasted great but lacked the traditional carbonation found in most typical beers. This, along with being served at room temperature, is a major difference from other beer I learned. The cask ales are naturally carbonated giving it a milder, less harsh, and maybe flatter taste. Most other beers are force-carbonated. While not available on the day I visited, I would loved to have tried some of their food options. Maybe I will the next time I am in the area. There is a small "shop" in the corner which sells British-based foods including teas and sweets. Some lovely views on the back deck!

I have so many great things to say about this place, from the people to the food…read more Food: We were politely provided some chips (fries) and curry from the owner (which I did not know at the time). Both the fries and the curry were exceptionally flavorful and made me rethink about English cuisine (kidding). My wife bought a gin and tonic with a great citrus gin and Mediterranean tonic which went down smooth and was actually tasteful even to myself as a non-drinker. Service: Nicky who helped us with the drink inside was so kind and patient and gave my wife recommendations which is how she ended up with her great G&T. The owner, Bradley, was not only an amazing gentleman but super funny and kind. This is the type of place you go to because it makes you feel warm and at home. Aesthetic: English goods line the back wall and artifacts from England line all the other walls, feeling like you are in a pub somewhere in southern England. Such a cool feel.

Had the girls come in town for a wellness weekend of Yoga, sounds baths, cheese tastings,…read morewaterfalls, and the lake. I live in Hector and have been to Lucky Hare a couple of times. Once for a bonfire! Lol It's a local thing. They have a wonderful casual deck. I love sitting out there. On this last visit, we skipped the beers, and went straight for Babe's burgers. They are stationed on the deck. I ordered their burger with carmelized onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Pickle on the side. The tomato was a farm fresh Tomato which is AWESOME! It was a local farm grown tomato, and the burger was delish. We ordered a small fries, and 3 of us shared them, and still threw some out. Yes, a small is that large. They don't sell drinks at the babes burger window. We got those at the bar. They had a free water jug, with plastic cups. I ordered a Waterloo sparking water, one friend had regular water, and the last had a soda. Because the owner makes their own beer there. I highly recommend checking them out, for beers and burgers. We didn't order any this time, because we were getting ready to go on a long drive. But....Since I live there, I can confirm their beer is worth it! I love their casual atmosphere, it's a great place to go to talk and dine. It's a local place, so it wouldn't be awkward to see go there and run into friends and start combining tables. Everyone is super friendly, so if you're ever lonely or bored, it's a great place to stop by, and hang out, you're almost guaranteed to make new friends. Parking can be tricky if they are busy, but people park on the street as long as they don't block any cars from getting by. I also love that they allow dogs, on leash, and they can't beg. Common sense rules, so don't leave your dog at home. Bring them out!

We loved that we could bring our pup and eat outside. We ordered a beer (lemon) and a cider at the…read morebar and we ordered a bacon burger with a small fries and a side apple salad...all delicious. The burger was good but I warn you about the fries....they are super good but a small fries is about a half of pound plenty for 3 people. I heard from another customer that the large size is a full pound....holy cow! The salad was delicious too. You can tell it was fresh lettuce (I think butter lettuce) with lots a blue cheese, walnuts and apples. One order is a meal. I am so glad we got it to share because we were satisfied with that. It's fun to sit outside and we met some really nice people (locals) who made us feel welcome. I recommend for sure. The parking was full so that tells you something.

Great wines here and Kevin Sommelier retired pm for Corning was charming and kind deserves 5 stars!…read moreBeautiful water view adorned with vines, all wines locally grown varietals with Austrian heritage like Blaufrankisch!

Well it was a rather ho-hum experience partly because they had too many patron show up at the same…read moretime. The serving was very slow and the flight of reds we selected, or rather were recommended, appeared flat and average. Three stars for good views from the top and adirondack chairs to take in the fresh air. Rest is just a footnote.

Gorgeous views of Seneca Lake paired with excellent wines. The service is friendly and…read moreknowledgeable.

The wines are absolutely horrible - not a single drinkable glass in three different tasting…read moreflights. The charcuterie plates are basic crackers and a full block of cheese - no presentation, no portioning. Just odd. The service was minimal and inattentive. The setting is beautiful - great view of the lake and perched atop a hill - but that is not enough to save this terrible wine. Skip this experience!!!

5 - I'd try to convince my wife to drive an hour just to come here Skip to the end to see my rating…read morescale. Although it's more of the modern feel than the earthy feel that I prefer, Tin Barn more than makes up for it with an awesome view of Seneca Lake, an expansive outdoor seating area, and friendly staff. Although we didn't eat while there, they do have a food menu, so Tin Barn really hits all the important aspects I look for in a brewery - good beer, welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, dog friendly outdoor seating, and availability to get some snacks. It all creates an inviting atmosphere that I'd be happy to visit again next time we're in the FLX Region, even if we stay on one of the other Lakes. My rating scale: 1 - Just don't 2 - You'll survive, but there are better choices close by 3 - Good choice if you're in the area 4 - I'd drive 30 minutes out of my way just to come here 5 - I'd try to convince my wife to drive an hour just to come here

I was quite impressed with their beer. I'm not sure why I thought that a brewery on the East Coast…read morewouldn't make good hazy beer, but I was wrong. Pretty much all their Hazy IPAs were quite nice. And they had a large selection of them. All the way from sessions to triples. I also tried the fruit sour - which is not really my type of beer - but I think they did a good job on that one too, very fruity. Hazy IPA's are their thing - they did have a couple others like the sour and a blonde, but this is mostly a place to go for a hazy. We also got food. I thought the pretzel sticks with mustard where quite good - although I ordered the beer cheese with them and was pretty unimpressed with that and wished I had just stuck with the mustard. I also go the Buffalo chicken nachos which were decent. Not blow me away, but tasty. And very filling. Great space. Huge indoor and outdoor space. Big patio with a gorgeous view of Seneca Lake. I saw games inside.

Our next stop of the day took us to our first distillery visit of the trip, and wow--Finger Lakes…read moreDistilling did not disappoint. What surprised us most? This was our very first time visiting, and we hadn't even realized they had been established since 2007! Knowing that they had been perfecting their craft for over 17 years, we were eager to dive into the tasting experience and see what they had to offer. The tasting room had a laid-back yet polished feel, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to guide us through their lineup of small-batch, handcrafted spirits. The distillery prides itself on using locally sourced grains and fruits, and you could tell from the first sip that quality and attention to detail were at the heart of their process. The Tasting Lineup I opted for a tasting of four different spirits, and after enjoying those, I was encouraged to try two more--a bonus that made the experience even better. Here's what I sampled: 1 Straight Bourbon - This was beautifully balanced, with sweet corn and vanilla upfront, followed by a warming spicy rye kick on the finish. Smooth yet complex, it was a fantastic introduction to their bourbon lineup. 2 Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon - A true standout, this one had rich caramel and toasted oak flavors, along with the perfect balance of spice and warmth. Aged for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof, it had a bold yet refined character that made it easy to appreciate. 3 McKenzie Straight Rye - If you're a fan of rye whiskey, this one is for you. It had that signature spicy rye bite, but what really made it unique was the sweet sherry cask finish, adding a layer of richness and complexity that lingered beautifully. 4 Bottled-in-Bond Rye - One of the most interesting pours of the day, this rye was bursting with flavors of chocolate, nougat, and dried red fruit. The influence of the barrel aging was prominent, giving it a decadent, almost dessert-like quality while still holding onto its classic rye spice. After those four, I couldn't resist trying two additional spirits: 5 Apple Brandy (Aged 10 Years) - A masterfully aged apple brandy that showcased deep, caramelized apple flavors, balanced with warm baking spices and oak influence. The 10 years in the barrel really allowed this spirit to develop incredible depth and smoothness. 6 Grappa - This was an unexpected favorite--simply sensational. Grappa can sometimes be overpowering, but this one was smooth, refined, and packed with rich grape flavors, making it one of the best versions I've tried. Taking a Piece of Finger Lakes Distilling Home While every single pour was impressive, the one that stood out the most for me was the Straight Bourbon--so much so that I had to bring a bottle home. It reminded me of a classic Rye Whiskey, with just enough spice to keep things interesting but smooth enough to sip neat. Final Thoughts Finger Lakes Distilling far exceeded expectations, and I can't believe it took us this long to visit! With their commitment to quality, incredible range of spirits, and inviting tasting experience, this is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Finger Lakes region--whether you're a bourbon lover, rye enthusiast, or just appreciate finely crafted spirits. It was the perfect stop to break up a day of wineries and breweries, offering something distinctly different yet equally enjoyable. Next time, I'd love to stay a little longer, maybe sip on a whiskey cocktail and take in the atmosphere even more. Cheers to great whiskey and new discoveries!

I had a good feeling I was going to like Finger Lakes Distilling, but I didn't realize how much I…read morewould love it. Had tried their McKensie bourbon at a bar or top and liked it, so was happy that it was on the itinerary of our wine and spirits tour. The space, like most wineries/distilleries/breweries up here, overlooks a lake (Seneca in this case) which is very scenic. Inside of the place was very nice and the staff could not be friendlier. I can't underscore the importance of the latter. Selection here is awesome. Some places make 2 bourbons and call themselves a distillery. These guys do whiskey, gin, vodka, varietals and other specialty stuff. I focused on the whiskeys which were awesome. I can see why these guys have won so many medals. I tried the small batch, cannoli infused bourbon, applejack, rye, straight bourbon, bottled in bond, single malt and Applejack. Everything was at least noteworthy. Single malt was awesome, which is the biggest thing I look for as the true test of a distillery. They had just started making the applejack, and it one of these best I've tried. People don't what the hell this is, but it's basically cider-based whiskey; it's great for cooking, drinking and was the first American-invented spirit going back to colonial times. Don't sleep on it. Only one I wish I had tried was the pot stilled, but I had enough to know it's probably good. I took home the applejack and the single malt, as those are really my go to's, however there was a lot worth trying. Also nice to see them offer number of cool cocktail options for those less inclined to drink pure alcohol. We ended the visit with some cigars infused with their cordials, which were an awesome surprise. This place is destination worthy. People think of wine when they think Finger Lakes, but there's more up here than that. This places exemplifies that. Will be back, and will buy their stuff locally.

This is such a cute place. Staff are so friendly and the British vibe is cool. I didn't…read moreparticularly enjoy the Luke warm raspberry beer but the ambiance is awesome. Definitely recommend a stop.

The brewery was surprisingly full for a Monday at one. The bartender was very thoroughly explaining…read morecask ale. I assumed unseasoned beer drinkers are not accustomed to the style and she did not leave anything up for chance. There were also many cocktails and gin pairing section in the menu. I used the covered patio to enjoy my beer and the lake view. There is also an event facility called the Snug that had a large patio with many style seating. I also loved the brewery dog that called this quaint place home.

Love the beer here. Truly excellent wild ales - these guys really know what they're doing and I've…read morenever had anything from them I didn't like. This is saying a lot considering this style of beer is easily and frequently screwed up by breweries. I pass through this area often and I'll drive out of my way to come here. Bake That Pie is probably my favorite offering from them so far. I bought one to drink immediately and I'm going to age one for a few months and try it sometime next year. Ordering online for pickup is easy and I'm always in and out quickly. The coronavirus shutdowns suck for everyone but I really wish their taproom was open, even if it were for very limited hours or by appointment only. Also wish they shipped to PA. The product is what counts though and it is absolutely five stars.

Permanently closed. No information if they will be reopening…read more They were a really nice place to go when open.