Genesee Brew House: Enjoy the Sparkling Waters of the Genesee

High above the “sparkling” waters of the Genesee River in Rochester NY, is the Genesee Brew House, once a century-old packaging center, the  Brew House has transformed the 9,200 square-foot space into a beer destination, featuring interactive exhibits, multimedia content, gift shop, pilot brewery and pub-style restaurant.

The Brew Pub offers all the classic Genesee Beers plus a changing array of delicious microbrews, I loved the Expresso Porter. The bar upstairs was built from old beer barrel boards. It was opened in September of 2012, after a LONG restoration process which is well documented.

The  retail store sells irresistible “Beer Gear,” the great selection of vintage t-shirts, with the full “Brew-story”. We were not wowed by the food, but the beer on the terrace with this fabulous view was well worth the price.

Hours: Mon-Wed 11am – 9pm Thurs-Sat 11am – 10pm Sunday Noon – 9pm 25 Cataract St. Rochester, NY, 14605 Get Directions 585-263-9200 Check out their reviews on Yelp.

F. Olivers takes flavor further on Park Avenue in Rochester

New location on Park Avenue, Rochester

Last year I wrote about a new store in Canandaigua featuring flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars. F. Olivers has flourished on the main street of Canandaigua and have just expanded to Park Avenue in Rochester. They are in a perfect location right sandwiched between a bakery and wine store.

Michelle Cardulla, Director of MOCA

I was there to attend a special fundraising event for the Museum of Children’s Art, in Rochester.

While I was there I picked up a bottle of Squash Seed infused Olive Oil and a couple bottles of Pineapple Balsamic (2.00 of each bottle goes to MOCA). Everything tastes better in our kitchen. The balsamic makes a killer dip or stuffing for baby peppers, with cream cheese, shredded cheddar and a little thai hot sauce.

Locations:

Canandaigua:  129 South Main Street // Canandaigua, NY 14424 // 585.396.2585
Rochester:  747 Park Avenue // Rochester, NY 14607 // 585.244.2585

Book Barning at Phoenix

Take a massive barn and fill it floor to ceiling with room after room of books. Add a curmudgeon at the register, a bee hive located somewhere deep inside, and you have a visit to Phoenix Books.

Finger Lakes Summer Says Don’t Miss Greentopia Festival

The Greentopia Festival is a two-day “World’s Fair” of environmental education, arts, music, activism and inspiration taking place in Rochester New York, Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18.

Join us at Rochester’s sustainability celebration to explore green living, Rochester style. It’s a two-day “World’s Fair” of inspiration through art, music, ideas and activism.

Speakers like Author and Activist Ed Begley Jr and Author, Educator, Environmentalist Bill McKibben. There will be workshops, how tos and films  Learn how you can think greens and how to apply it creatively in everyday life. There will be unusual family activities, community recycled art installations, mouthwatering organic and local food and beverages, and all kinds of live music.

There will even be an opportunity to “Bike the Bridges.” This ride allows Rochesterians and their families a highly accessible way to view and experience the bridges and falls of Rochester up close with other cyclists in a fun and celebratory way.

Some Local Environmental Groups appearing at Greentopia that I am exceptionally fond of: Will be showcased Saturday, 12:30 – 1:20 pm @ The Atrium in Max at High Falls

Jim Howe, The Nature Conservancy
Protecting Hemlock & Canadice Lakes – Rochester’s Drinking Water

Gay Mills, Genesee Land Trust
Connecting to Nature in the City and other Projects of Genesee Land Trust

June Summers, Genesee Valley Audobon Society
Native and Invasive Plants

You can help keep Lake Ontario beautiful

Paul Sawyko, Water Education Collaborative & H2O Hero
Lake Ontario Needs Heros

ALSO:  Sunday, 11:00 – 11:30 @ Seneca Room in Max at High Falls. Sarah Meyer, Finger Lakes Institute & Paul Sawyko are doing a demonstration on Rain Barrels & Rain Gardens.

The Driftwood Sailors

Sunday at 12:30 there will be music by The Driftwood Sailors, who I just heard on the Sunday night Shakedown with Frank DeBlaise. Lead singer Amanda Lee Peers haas a lovely voice reminiscent of Amy Winehouse.

Greentopia will provide incentives for participants using greener modes of transportation. Everything that can be recycled at the festival will be recycled. Every plate, fork, spoon, knife, cup, bowl, napkin, coffee stirrer and sample cup will be 100% compostable. And all food scraps will be collected and composted. All Greentopia collateral will be made with recycled and/or earth-friendly materials. Every event sign will be designed with reuse in mind. Each piece will be made from environmentally friendly materials.

Greentopia is being produced by the The GardenAerial.

The GardenAerial is a 501(c)3 non-profit grassroots organization advocating for the conversion of pre-existing structures and trails along the Genesee Gorge at High Falls into a multi-use, extraordinary public green space.

It is their vision to transform the perimeter of the Genesee Gorge,  including the Ponte de Rennes bridge, into a magical hanging outdoor arboretum – becoming a real and lasting symbol of the “Flower City”.

Happy Cows at the Muranda Cheese Company

This blog post is a continuation from the previous. While traveling the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail we met Tom Murray of the Muranda Cheese Company. Miranda makes 13 different kinds of raw milk cheese. Raw milk cheese is made from unpasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk has bacteria in it, which contributes to greater flavor.

Make Friends at Creekside Books and Coffee, Skaneateles, NY

A cup of coffee and a good book is one of life’s simple pleasures. Creekside Books and Coffee has both under one roof and a relaxed attitude about browsing. It is located on the corner of Kelly and Fennel Streets in Skaneateles , across from the local grocery.