It’s easy to find the Ausable Brewing Co. when they are open. It stands in stark contrast to the adjacent farmland because there’s usually a crowd of people and a lot of cars filling the converted field that now serves as a parking lot.
Ausable Brewing Co. is located at 765 Mace Chasm Rd. in Keeseville, N.Y. They offer tastings, pints, and growlers to go (when supplies allow) from Thursday to Saturday from spring well into the winter.
It’s a great destination, but may I suggest that the fun atmosphere, live music, food trucks, and variety of beers here can also be nicely paired with any one of the following popular activities available on the Adirondack Coast of Lake Champlain?
A Hike
There is a huge list of great hikes amongst the Champlain Area Trails, but here is a recommendation that goes well with an Imperial Pale Ale.
Part of the Split Rock Wild Forest, the hike to Snake Den Harbor Outlook includes a view of the lake as a reward for reaching the end!
Or you might take a historic walking tour of an entire village that’s on the National Register of Historic Places. Essex has one of the most intact collections of pre-Civil War village architecture in America.
Paddle and a Pint
I find that a nice paddle on Lake Champlain is a good prelude to a brewery visit. The recommended put-in to go with a stout or porter: NYS DEC boat launch on Willsboro Bay. A large, protected bay popular with sailboats, ths is a great launch for a paddle on the big lake. Look out for rock climbers on the cliffs to the north of the bay while you’re out there!
Surf AND Turf: Ausable Chasm
For the discerning and energetic beer aficionado, a trip to Ausable Chasm, one of the country’s first attractions, will provide spectacular scenery and an opportunity to hike and paddle or float on the last leg of the tour via a raft or tube!
Bike and Brew
The Ausable Brewing Co. is located right on the famous Lake Champlain Bikeway, which circumnavigates all of Lake Champlain through Vermont, Quebec, and New York. Here’s a favorite loop that can end with a refreshing lager - the Waters Edge Trail.
If you prefer knobby tires, check out the great mountain biking trails at Ausable Chasm Campground and Recreation Center!
Swing and Swig
There are two nine-hole golf course gems within a short drive of the brewery. Check out Willsboro Golf Course or Harmony Golf Club right on Lake Champlain!
There are less energetic and educational pairings available, too, such as a visit to the North Star Underground Railroad Museum to learn about the hidden history of the Champlain line of the Underground Railroad.
Or, you could just go straight to the Brewery and pair a pint with friends, conversation, locally-sourced food, or another pint!
