Madison County Hop Farms & Farm Brewery Trail — 30 Hop Farms + 12 Breweries 25 Miles from Syracuse

Muddy River Farm Brewery is a charming, family-owned New York State Farm Brewery located directly on the scenic banks of the Susquehanna River in Unadilla, NY. Founded by cousins Dustin and Jared Wood, the brewery operates a seasonal taproom in Unadilla from May through October alongside a year-round location in nearby Oneonta. It is highly regarded for its approachable craft ales, one-acre estate hop yard, and vibrant, family-friendly outdoor community space.

The Taproom & Beer Experience

• Farm-Fresh Ingredients: The brewery holds a NYS Farm Brewery license, specializing in accessible craft ales brewed using Delaware County hops grown right in their on-site one-acre hop yard.
• Rotating Selections: The taproom features an eight-tap pouring system serving flagship styles like the Hellbender Cascadian Black IPA and DELCO IPA, alongside local guest ciders and wines.
• Rustic Atmosphere: The indoor bar area accommodates up to 40 people and features unique custom details, including a tap system built out of a 200-pound piece of Susquehanna River driftwood.

Outdoor Space & Community Vibe

• Riverside Relaxation: Situated on the headwaters of the Susquehanna River, the venue offers a massive lawn ideal for bringing lawn chairs, relaxing by the water, or playing frisbee.
• Food & Entertainment: Guests can enjoy a rotating selection of local food trucks (such as Ty's Taco-ria and Smoke Out BBQ) alongside live music performances and events held regularly on the weekends.
• Amenities: The venue is entirely wheelchair accessible, kid-friendly, and dog-friendly (dogs must remain leashed), making it a popular neighborhood gathering spot.

Operating Hours & Location

• Address: 15544 County Highway 23, Unadilla, NY 13849 (Back River Road at Tryon's Corner between Sidney and Unadilla)
• Seasonal Schedule May-Oct: Thursday 3-9pm, Friday 3-9pm, Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-8pm. Year-round location: Oneonta.
• Tasting: Pints $7-9, Flights $10-12, Growler fills $18-24, Free parking 60 spaces

Critz Farms — Cazenovia, Maple + Apples + Hops + Brewery + Cidery $12 Tasting

Address: 3232 Anderson Rd, Cazenovia NY 13035 • Hours: Daily 10am-5pm year-round, Brewery Fri-Sun 12-6pm • Tasting: Brewery flight $12 4x5oz, Cider flight $12 4x5oz, Maple tasting free, Apples pick your own $25/bag, Free parking 100 spaces

• Farm: 300 acres, 5th generation Critz family 1850s, 50 acres apples 20 varieties, maple syrup 2,000 taps, hops 3 acres, pumpkins Sept-Oct $10 pick, Christmas trees Nov-Dec $60
• Brewery: Critz Farms Brewing & Cider Co, farm license 60% NY, Harvest Ale 6% with own hops + apples, Maple Porter 6.5% with own maple syrup $9 pint, Hard Cider $8 pint 6% from own apples
• Activities: Apple picking Sept-Oct $25 bag 20 lbs, Maple Weekends March $10 pancake breakfast, Corn maze Sept-Oct $12 adult $8 kids, Harvest Fest 2nd Sat Oct free 5k people
• Store: Farm store maple syrup $15/qt, apple cider $8/gal, hops $20/lb homebrew, pies $18, donuts $12/dozen

Madison County Hop History + 30 Modern Farms

History: 1850 Madison County grew 80% US hops 3,000 farms, 6M lbs yearly, Wickwire Works Cortland made hop wire, Oneida Community made hop presses, blight 1909 downy mildew + Prohibition 1920 killed industry, 2008 revival.

• Modern Farms 30: Empire Hop Farm Morrisville 10 acres, Pedersen Farms Seneca Falls 8 acres, Foothill Hops Munnsville 6 acres, 3C Hops Cazenovia 5 acres, all sell to breweries + homebrew $20/lb, tours free Sat by appt
• Hop Varieties: Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Nugget, Willamette — same as 1800s English varieties, organic many farms, harvest Aug-Sept hand picked, drying oast barns 1850s restored
• Why Revival: NY Farm Brewery License 2012 requires 60% NY ingredients 20% NY hops now 90% by 2024, created market 12 breweries Madison County, 150 statewide, hops $20/lb vs $8/lb Yakima but local premium
• Tours: Madison County Hop Fest 3rd Sat Aug Morrisville free 2k people, hop farm tours free Aug harvest, pick your own hops $20/bushel Aug-Sept

Farm Brewery Trail — 12 Breweries, Tasting $8-12, About 45-Mile Loop from Syracuse

Loop: Start Syracuse → Route 20 east to Cazenovia 25 min Critz Farms → Morrisville 15 min → Canastota 20 min → Syracuse 25 min Route 31. Total 90 miles 2 hrs driving. Note: Muddy River Unadilla is 70 min south — worth detour for riverside.

• Cazenovia Area (25 min): Critz Farms Brewing $12 flight, Meier's Creek Brewing $10 flight 4x5oz Route 20, 2 breweries 5 min apart, free parking
• Hamilton / New Hartford Area (35-50 min): Lower Lake Brewery, 14 Utica St, Hamilton, NY — cozy taproom traditional slow-poured crisp lagers and ales, plus wine, cider, light bites. Grow Brewing Co., 2 Campion Rd, New Hartford — small-batch brewery and tasting room. Brewery Ommegang 40 min south Cooperstown $12 flight Belgian ales.
• Morrisville/Canastota (30 min): Canastota Brewing $9 flight, Erie Canal Brewing Company & Tap Room, 135 S Peterboro St, Canastota, NY, Oneida Lake Brew Haus 6266 Lakeshore Rd S, and Foothill Hops Farm Brewery, 5024 Bear Path Rd, Munnsville, NY — farm brewery with estate hops.
• Unadilla Riverside (70 min detour): Muddy River Farm Brewery, 15544 County Hwy 23, Unadilla — 8 taps Hellbender Black IPA DELCO IPA, 1-acre hop yard, lawn on Susquehanna River, food trucks Ty's Taco-ria, driftwood bar 40 seats.
• Rules: All farm breweries must use 60% NY ingredients 90% NY hops 2024, tasting $8-12 flight, pints $7-9, growlers $18-24, food trucks weekends $10-15, free parking 30-100 spaces each, kids + dogs allowed outside, open Wed-Sun most
• Designated Driver: Farm Cider $8 pint non-alcoholic options, root beer $4, food $12-18 pizza, many close 9pm, plan 2-3 breweries max day

Harvest — Aug 15-Sept 15 Peak, Wet Hop Beers Same Day

• When: Hop cones ready late Aug-early Sept, sticky yellow lupulin, hand pick, 3 week window, check farm Facebook for dates — Muddy River posts daily Aug, Critz Farms posts daily
• Pick Your Own: $20/bushel (about 5 lbs), takes 1 hr, ladder + gloves provided, kids free, take home freeze or brew same day, homebrew shops buy $20/lb dried
• Wet Hop Beers: Brewed same day fresh hops not dried, 24 hr window, Muddy River Wet Hop IPA $8 pint Aug-Sept only, Critz Farms Wet Hop $9 pint, best fresh hop flavor grassy citrus, sells out in 3 days
• Festivals: Madison County Hop Fest 3rd Sat Aug Morrisville free 2k people, hops + breweries + food $10-15, Central NY Brewfest June Syracuse $50 ticket 40 breweries