Roscoe, NY is one of those blink and you’ll miss it towns located along I-86 between Binghamton and New York City. However, area attractions like the Roscoe Beer Company are trying to entice new visitors and re-ignite interest in the community fondly known as Trout Town, USA.
I had never even heard of the Roscoe Beer Company until I saw signs for it as I was driving through the town on my way to Cooperstown, NY. Of course I had to check it out and soon found myself parked in front of a very nondescript building. The tasting room actually feels more like a gift shop and I wasn’t even sure if they had beer there when I walked in! Lots of merchandise fills the walls and floor space in front of the small tasting area. I was proudly told that everything sold here is made in the USA. Their hometown pride is pervasive and is a hallmark of all they do and stand for.
Roscoe Beer Company opened its doors in May of 2013. They are still working on obtaining a license so cannot brew their own beer yet. I found this quite odd for a brewery that already has such a large collection of items for sale. However, they have created one beer which we were able to try.
- 6% ABV
- American Amber Ale
- Light and clean, average beer designed to be a crowd pleaser.
Trout Town Amber Ale is actually contract brewed by John Carr over at the Adirondack Pub and Brewery in Lake George, NY. The recipe itself was created by the folks at Roscoe who are looking to hire an onsite brewmaster.
The one and only beer with Roscoe’s name on it can be found locally on draft and in bottles. Roscoe Beer Company is a very community orientated business and local artists create the art work for the beer and logos. The people who started the brewery are local to the area and wanted to give back to the community.
I have mixed feelings regarding my visit to this brewery. On the one hand, it could definitely be a big boost to the town and help contribute to the local economy. However, I am not sure if they are really ready to be open yet. When you only produce one beer, do you immediately open a tasting room? I felt like the beer was playing second fiddle to the many shirts, hats, mugs, beer cozies, coasters, and more that were sold in the store. The employee we met on our visit was very enthusiastic and I hope that business continues to grow for them. If you are passing through the area, it makes for a quick diversion but needs to have more then one beer available in order to make it the destination the owners are hoping it will become.
Located in a town that is noted for its fly fishing industry, it is no surprise that artists, inspired by the beer industry, designed a Barleyhopper fishing fly. The fly is composed of all the ingredients one would use to prepare beer, minus the water of course! If you are so inclined, you can also visit the nearby Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum to reel in some more information on this popular sport.
Roscoe Beer Company
Roscoe Beer Company Facebook Page
145 Rockland Road, Roscoe, NY 12776
Visited July 15, 2013
Blog post written by Thomas Andersen.
Liquid Alchemy 
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