It’s only been a week and we’ve already hit a few breweries since returning home. Actually, we stopped at Raquette River ON the way home. Then over the weekend our good friends Allan and Jeanette visited (see blog post Amo l’Italia, June 2018). We lounged lakeside while Allan cast his impotent fishing lures. We ate and drank and laughed a lot. Jeanette crushed me at Scrabble and Bananagrams, not unexpectedly, and we started a ridiculously hard puzzle. On Saturday we headed into Saranac Lake for their first Streetfest party which was somewhat underwhelming although the music lineup looked good. We stayed to listen to Crackin’ Foxy but then the extreme heat (89degrees) had us move on. Seeking airconditioning and beer, we arrived at the newly opened Raybrook Brewery located in the former Raybrook Frog gift shop, replete with the original large stuffed moose head over the stone fireplace. Greg and I had already visited here a few times and enjoyed their brews. Remarkably, they did not have airconditioning! Allan had their stout, which he liked, Jeanette had the Wild Integrity lager which I have enjoyed in the past but it seemed more like a sour beer today although it had some complex fruity flavors. Greg had the Pond Foam DIPA which he liked. We have eaten here in the past, though not today. The menu looked updated with new dishes including a few with Thai flavor. I have enjoyed their smash burger, was underwhelmed by their soba noodle salad, and everyone has loved their tater tots poutine. We then headed towards Lake Placid to continue our search for air conditioning and more beer.
Across from the Olympic skating rink and the Lake Placid high school is the new Valcour Brewhouse. Located in the the former Fireside restaurant, the interior is a little dark and Bavarianesque but at least the airconditioning was working and the parking was free. Greg did not think too much of his DIPA, not being ‘hoppy’ enough. I actually thought it was tasty so it must have been pretty light in the IBU category. The rest of us had maple whiskey lemonades which were delicious! Our server Autumn was adorable. The shrimp skewers and nachodillas were good, although the Syracha bread was smokin’ spicy hot. Our next stop: Big Slide Brewery, just down the road.
Big Slide Brewery is Greg’s favorite place and he always orders the Giant IPA. Greg is actually a ‘member’ here, has his own mug and visits here after most of his high peak hikes. I actually prefer their cucumber margaritas, alternately jalapeno flavored in winter and strawberry in summer. The poutine is delicious and most of their flatbreads are as well. BSB is a sister brewery to Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, home of UBU, and some of their beers are shared. LP Pub and Brewery has a delicious burger and BSB has the Meatless hamburger which is ok, not my favorite.
We did not stop this weekend but also in Saranac Lake is Blue Line Brewery, it’s first microbrewery and family owned and operated. It’s located in a former car wash and is more garage-like than all the other places. Greg likes their Leaning Pine IPA and again, I go for the lighter lagers. He also likes their Rocky Marciano calzone pizza and their flatbreads are very good. The owner is a big Boston team fan so there’s some familiarity here.
A visit to Donnelly’s for their delicious ice cream (peach melba mixed with black raspberry, yum) ended our brew tour and we headed home to finish this lovely weekend visit.
Photo credit: Jeanette
My new reality 