By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 19, Meier’s Creek Brewing Company (MCBC) held its grand opening. Ever since, the brewery/taproom has been open five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, offering a full tap list, a seasonal food menu, and outdoor seating.
MCBC is located at 33 Rippleton Rd., Cazenovia — the former home of Empire Farm Brewery.
Prior to opening, MCBC completed a renovation project that involved raising the taproom ceiling, installing floor-to-ceiling windows, and revamping the bar.
The brewery currently has 13 Meier’s Creek beers on tap, ranging in style from classic light ales to hazy IPAs, sours, and porters.
“All our beers are continuously rotating as taps run out and as we brew new styles,” said Lela Feldmeier, head of brand and creative for the business.
Earlier this summer, MCBC had four different beers available for pickup, sold in packages of four 16 ounce cans.
“[We’ve] just recently sold out of them,” Feldmeier said. “New ones will be coming soon. In the meantime, we have 32 oz. crowlers available that can be filled with anything available on tap to take home and enjoy.”
In addition to its beer offerings, MCBC also has two local ciders on tap and a limited selection of wine and liquor available.
New York State guidelines now require the purchase of food with alcohol.
The taproom’s lunch and dinner menu is available via table service only.
According to Feldmeier, the menu will rotate seasonally.
“Our head chef, Christopher Griffin, has created a summer menu . . . with elevated classics that emphasize local ingredients,” Feldmeier said. “The menu currently consists of small plates, like chicken wings in MCBC hot sauce, farmer’s market salad with local vegetables and whipped goat cheese, and fries with roasted garlic and parmesan aioli; heartier fare, including Korean beef tacos and a local Wagyu burger; and 12-inch Neapolitan pizzas.”
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the brewing company has implemented a number of safety protocols.
In addition to cutting its overall capacity in half, MCBC is requiring its employees to wear masks at all times, spreading tables six feet apart, limiting groups to 10 people, and requiring patrons to wear masks when not seated.
“We are taking every COVID-19 precaution seriously in order to keep our community and our staff safe,” said Feldmeier. “We are continuously monitoring the COVID situation in our community and across the country and will be making decisions such as adjusting hours, accepting events, etc. as the situation becomes safe.”
MCBC is currently open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We are extremely thankful for all of the support we have received already from the local community,” said Feldmeier. “Since opening our doors in August, we’ve had a steady stream of folks visiting for lunch, dinner, and every time in between. While we are not taking reservations at this time, we are trying our best to keep wait times low given our lower capacity due to COVID.”
For more information on MCBC, visit meierscreekbrewing.com.
