251423 Tue Jul 02 00:27:12 -0700 2002 9 20 Tristate Region 0 1335608 I am thinking of heading up to Ommegang Brewery and Cooperstown for five day 4th of July holiday camping trip. Anyone been to the brewery tour? I hear thay have some big festival on saturday the 6th. By the way, I think thay make the best Belgian style brew in the US (hell, maybe one of the best brews among all) and are in a tight fight for North and South America against Uni-Broue in Canada. Also anyone been to any of the 7-8 campgrounds in the area? Any food recs? Sights to see? (Not interested in BB HOF) What's Howe Caverns like, I think it's an hour drive away? Tue Jul 02 00:27:12 -0700 2002 0 the rogue 1 1335609 went on the tour two springs ago = it was fun, the brewery grounds are pretty, the people nice and the samples are yummy... Lots of stuff to see and do up in the Cooperstown area from art musuems, to nature to shopping, antiques, baseball hall of fame, etc. We stayed at a local place where we rented a three bedroom with full kitchen and split it among 2 families - I think it was about 120 a night or less. Where are you coming from?? Cann't remember if we ate out or just cooked in. We were all experienced cooks/chefs Tue Jul 02 01:17:11 -0700 2002 1335608 0 tigerwoman 1 1335610 You can visit Brewery Ommegang and Vanberg & DeWulf Importers at link below. We're starting to see a nice selection of Belgian styles brewed in the US and Canada. Besides Unibroue and Brewery Ommegang, there are Victory Golden Monkey and Allagash, and a raft of wits as summer seasonals from the micros. I believe Howe Caverns is where Brewery Ommegang ages its cave-aged Hennepin. Link: http://www.belgianexperts.com Tue Jul 02 06:20:08 -0700 2002 1335608 0 Jim Dorsch 1 1335611 Don't know about the brewery - tho my husband really likes the beer. Can tell you about Howe's Caverns. If you have never been in a limestone cavern, it is definitely worth the trip. If you have been to such as Luray, then forget it, if you are not right there. It is not the most beautiful of caverns, but it is certainly OK. Tue Jul 02 07:14:43 -0700 2002 1335608 0 Alice 1 1335617 The brewery tour is a brewery tour (I guess I'm a bit jaded about fermenting liquid tours)but it is quite a nice place. You do know it is somewhat south of Cooperstown proper? There is also another micro in the area(Cooperstown Brewing? - they make "Old Slugger", etc.). Never found a really good place to eat. I do like the Farmer's Museum - it is no where near as crowded or commercial as the BBHOF. The Glimmerglass Opera is supposed to be very good. Cheers, Joe Moryl Tue Jul 02 16:17:31 -0700 2002 1335608 0 Joe Moryl (NY/NJ) 1 1335629 The brewery is a great destination, especially in this HOT HUMID weather we have been having, although Cooperstown will be really crowded and in my opinion unbearable. I'd center my trip around the lake and steer clear of town if I were you. There is a State Park on the north end of the lake and a historic home to tour (Hyde Hall). There is a town swimming place (Fairy Springs) on the east side of the lake right in town. Unfortunately the Uncas, a pleasure boat that tours the lake, is not in the water this year. There is a nice place to eat at Sam Smith's Boat Yard called the Blue Mingo (about 1/3 of the way up the lake on the west side) that is like taking a vacation in itself: you sit right next to the shore. You can also rent canoes etc. there. There's also a small bistro in the Fenimore Art Museum with a patio overlooking the lake that has good food. You don't have to pay to get into that part of the museum although their Native American collection and their Folk Art collection are worth it. So's the Farmer's Museum. The opera is great although tickets may be real hard to come by. If you go, take a picnic to eat on the lawn before and make an evening of it. Danny's Market in Cooperstown is the best take out around. Drive around Otsego County a bit if you have a chance. It is really beautiful here now and there's lots to discover. A map of hiking trails has just been published which you can pick up at the Tourism Bureau in Cooperstown. You could picnic in the Forest of the Dozen Dads or hike up to Heart Field (ask a native Cooperstownian for directions). Howes Cavern is ok, but Secret Caverns (nearby) is more what it's like to really be in a cave plus there is this amazing waterfall at the end of the walk. Side trips: Cherry Valley to eat at Alex and Ikas Sharon Springs to take a sulpher bath at the Imperial Bath House Oneonta to eat at Brooks Barbeque and watch an Oneonta Tigers game at Damasky Field Finally there are lots of local FIREWORKS displays (in Cooperstown, Oneonta,and 2 nites in Cobleskill for sure), check out the paper when you get here for the schedule. The Oneonta Star has a website. You could probably find out about the schedule and any special weekend events there. Link: http://www.thedailystar.com/ Wed Jul 03 07:22:18 -0700 2002 1335608 0 paco 2 1335644 Wow, that was a great post. Summer tourism hints plus local food faves. Made me want to jump in the car and drive on out, right away. Thanks. Wed Jul 03 14:14:56 -0700 2002 1335629 0 Helen F 2 1335646 Thanks for the post. I saved the info for another weekend. I did my homework and that area is packed to capacity for the next week. I think I will just grab my budds and some chow and head into some wilderness area to relax after spending the 4th in nyc. Or else just do some major NYC chowhoundin'. Wed Jul 03 14:59:48 -0700 2002 1335629 0 the rogue 2 1341043 Also, on Rte 7. in Cobleskill, on the right hand side, in town, is a gem of a bakery and cafe called the Green Duck LTD. We stopped for breakfast, and was it WOW! I've eaten breakfast in 4 & 5 star hotels and restaurants that wasn't as good as this! Bacon and swiss omelet, strawberry/banana pancakes(strawberries and bananas pureed right into the batter), real butter on the toast (bread baked right there), scrambled and over easy done to perfection and with great presentation, and the best home fries I've EVER had. Bar none. End of story. As if this isn't enough, the baked goods are INCREDIBLE! We took some apple turnovers and butterscotch chip cookies for the road that were out of this world. Don't pass by this place. Wed Aug 13 14:37:43 -0700 2003 1335629 0 Tim Kane 1 1335635 Ommegang does a pretty good job, but in my experience they are still a little uneven in their quality. I prefer Unibroue for Belgian styles, if I'm sticking to eastern breweries. If you ever get a chance to try products from New Belgium Brewery, in Fort Collins, Colorado, you'll enjoy them. Their trippel is lovely. Link: http://www.newbelgium.com/frames.html Wed Jul 03 10:03:47 -0700 2002 1335608 0 Josh Mittleman