Page 31 - Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau

QUENCH YOUR THIRST IN CORTLAND COUNTY
Craft

Cortland County has joined nearly
Beverages State in its passion for brewing with
every other county in New York

local hops and grains—from farm
breweries, to dragon-inspired
distilleries, to wine tasting-rooms.
LOCALLY POURED: NEW BREWERY

COMING TO CORTLAND COUNTY IN 2020

The town of Homer will soon welcome its first craft brewery!
Homer Hops Brewing, located roughly five miles outside of downtown Cortland,
is set to open in the spring of 2020, giving craft-beer locals a place to enjoy
a beverage made by their own neighbors. The brewery’s story began in 2015,
when co-owner Jason Kristof first started home-brewing with a kit given to
him by his wife. “All but one of the beers were a success,” Kristof recollected.
“I made a chocolate peanut butter porter once, and it was gross.” “We want to make Homer
Home brewing took a backseat when Kristof and his siblings planted hops on the property used for his
small-batch beer creations. “Unfortunately, my day job got really busy and I was never home long enough Hops a destination.
to brew,” he added. “I thought hops would be easy because they were seasonal, but man, was I wrong.”
We don’t want people to
The switch was flipped on for good though when Jason’s friend Shawn Potts expressed interest in the beer-
making process. “Jason said he wanted me to brew beer for him, and I said I wanted to be a partner if he
was planning to open a brewery,” said Shawn. come just for our beer,
After making sure it wasn’t the beer talking the following day, Potts and but to stay awhile and
Kristof joined forces, and roped in help from family and friends—Jason’s
wife Dina, Shawn’s wife Beth, Jason’s brothers Tony and Wally, Tony’s wife enjoy the atmosphere.”
Katie, and family friend Steve Romer. They began pouring fresh brews for
Cortland County craft beer fans to enjoy, and the process of building a real
brewery began a few years later. BETH POTTS
The team broke ground in August 2019 on the site of the Homer Hops
Farm on Route 90, just west of the village of Homer. The facility will house
a brewery and taproom, and the farm’s hops will continue to supply the brewing operation. The property will
also feature an outdoor patio and live music. Eventually, they hope to host weddings and private events.
The small-batch, five-barrel brewhouse will brew stouts, porters, and multiple varieties of the incredibly
popular IPA (including some hazy New England styles). Kristof also plans to have guest taps availabe to
highlight beers from outside of Cortland County.

Until the new tasting room opens, you can find their “neon green hop” at Cortland County festivals, the
Homer Farmers Market, and local hangouts like BRU64 and Red Jug Pub. Their regular selections include the
Chocolate Coffee-flavored “Sweet Mama’s Java” and “Exit 12”, a Pale Ale named for the exit to Homer from
1-81. If you find yourself at a Cortland Crush baseball game during the warmer months, you might find their
seasonal blonde ale, “Summer Crush.”

Homer is a great little village,” Beth added. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and if we can do something to lift
Homer even more, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”

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