Quench your Thirst at These Up & Coming Breweries on the East End
Tired of wineries in the Hamptons and on the North Fork? Try Beer! While the East End may be known as a wine lover’s paradise, farm breweries and microbreweries are making a splash with beer drinkers everywhere. It’s not just “farm to table” anymore, but “farm to pint” that’s getting all the action these days on the East End. With live music, farm animals, family activities and weekly special events, breweries are the up and coming “go to” places for adult and family fun. Some of our favorites:
Long Island Farm Brewery
663 Wading River Road, Manorville
www.longislandfarmbrewery.com
Located right next to family fun favorite, Waterdrinker Family Farm, Long Island Farm Brewery (“LIFB”) is housed in a converted potato barn on 80+ acres, which is soon to include a field of the hops used in brewing LIFB libations. The brewers use only New York State ingredients in their variety of beers, which includes ales, IPA’s, lagers and porters. LIFB also serves hard cider, an assortment of local wines and non-alcoholic drinks such as root beer, Kombucha, green tea and coffee. Proximity to Waterdrinker’s seasonal festivals, farm animals, endless flower fields and children’s activities is all the entertainment you need!
North Fork Brewing Co.
24 East 2nd Street, Riverhead
www.northforkbrewingco.com
North Fork Brewing Co. takes the concept of farm brewery seriously, growing its own ingredients or sourcing them locally in order to imbue its craft beer with the “true flavor of the North Fork’’. Emphasizing its commitment to truly local product, North Fork Brewing Co.’s offerings are seasonal, based on the available produce, crops and yeast. Given the establishment’s farming of multiple varieties of hops (including Nugget, Chinook, Perle, Liberty, Cascade and Magnum), you’ll find a large variety of IPA’s here — available by the glass to drink on the premises or to go in cans. Reservations are required for indoor tables (75 minute time limit during peak hours) and outdoor tables are first come, first served (weather permitting). Food trucks are booked for most weekends; empanadas and chips are available at other times and outside food is permitted.
North Fork Brewing Co.
Jamesport Farm Brewery
5873 Sound Avenue, Riverhead
www.jfbrewery.com/home
Jamesport Farm Brewery is an excursion for the whole family. Located on 43 acres of what was once a working potato farm, the property remains a modern, sustainable working farm and wholesale nursery, growing and harvesting the majority of the ingredients used for its craft beers, including hops and barley. An historic potato barn houses the tasting room, which serves up an array of microbrews, ciders, wine, cocktails and soft drinks. Relax with your drink of choice, enjoying the “Farm to Pint” experience while overlooking rows of hop bines, acres of barley and fields of sunflowers. Live music most weekends, as well as numerous special events, including Comedy Nights and artisan markets. The Catered Fork food truck is on the premises daily, serving such fare as shrimp tacos, duck confit quesadillas and truffle fries. Check the website for more details.
Eastern Front Brewing Co.
13100 Main Road, Mattituck
Eastern Front Brewing Co. is a love story between owners Doug and Christina — who first fell in love with beer and then with each other! East End is a small brewery recently relocated to Main Road in Mattituck and serving craft European style beers (ales, lagers, pilseners, wheat beers). Their tasting room plays host to a number of weekly events, including Open Mic/Karaoke on Tuesday nights and live music most weekends.
Peconic County Brewing
221 East Main Street, Riverhead
www.peconiccountybrewing.com
The latest entry into the local microbrew scene, Peconic County Brewing overlooks the Peconic River in downtown Riverhead. Proprietor Jeff Schaeffer, the creator of Long Island Beer Authority blog and podcast, opened the 8,500-square-foot-space on the east end of Main Street in Riverhead last September. Enjoy river views from the large outdoor deck, while imbibing one of the 10 beers available on tap and named after places on the East End (like Hampton Haze NEIPA and Bananagansett Hefeweizen) and listening to some local musicians. There’s a full kitchen serving such treats as lobster rolls, sliders, pretzels and grilled cheese sandwiches with “Hoppy Hour” specials Monday through Thursday, 4-6pm.
Westhampton Beach Brewing Co.
220 Roger’s Way, Suite I, WHB
(at Gabreski Airport)
www.westhamptonbeachbrewingco.com
“Every day’s a beach day” at Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. Now hosting beer drinkers at their newly-renovated and spacious brewery, you can order any of their beach-themed beers on tap — such as Jetty 4 Lager or Hurricane IPA — or one of their new offerings: Dune Road Hard Seltzer (in pina colada, sex on the beach or mojito flavors). Open every day; live music and special daily events including Wednesday Trivia Nights and Thursday Auto Nights.
