Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley joined local officials to congratulate Schoharie County and its beverage industry producers on the Schoharie County Beverage Trail. The trail is also officially recognized by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets as a designated Cuisine Trail, and is dedicated to producers who are creating distilled, brewed and fermented beverages from locally grown ingredients.
“I’m happy to celebrate the kick-off of the Schoharie County Beverage Trail, which will not only help support our participating producers and farmers, but will also serve as a tourism draw,” said Commissioner Ball. “Today, more people want to know where their food and beverages are coming from and how they’re made. The Schoharie County Beverage Trail provides our residents and visitors that opportunity to get a first-hand look and taste of New York’s finest craft beverage products. I have no doubt, with the support of this great, tight knit community, it will be successful.”
“We’re proud to congratulate the Schoharie County Beverage Trail, who, through their hard work and collaboration, have been designated as a New Yorkcuisine trail,” said State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley. “This collaboration mirrors Governor Cuomo’s efforts over the past five years to partner with the craft beverage industry to overhaul laws, implement business friendly regulations, create new farm-based manufacturing licenses, and launch aggressive promotional campaigns to spur a resurgence in craft beverage manufacturing throughout New York State.”
The beverage trail runs from Richmondville to Charlotteville and Fultonham to Middleburgh, and includes four unique destinations, including Royal Meadery, which recently celebrated its grand opening; KyMar Farm Winery and Distillery; Barber’s Farm Distillery; and Green Wolf Brewing Company. Founding affiliate members of the trail include Under the Nose in Middleburgh and Schoharie County Tourism.
New York State has seen incredible growth of its craft beverage industry with farm-based beverage producers growing by over 100 percent since 2011.
Schoharie County Tourism Coordinator Becky Stark said, “The Schoharie County Beverage Trail is something new that will not only draw tourists in to Schoharie County but will also encourage travel throughout the county. It builds on our historic agricultural roots in a fresh, new way and showcases the collaboration of wonderful businesses in our county. This is also a great addition to Brew Central, a regional campaign that promotes all craft beverage producers in the Central New York Region.”
The beverage producers have strong ties to the community and are supported by several local shops and restaurants who will be designated as Friends of the Trail. All trail members are committed to supporting community involvement, local commerce and farm to table. A list of participating food and beverage businesses who embrace farm to table will be listed on the Schoharie County Beverage Trail website at www.schohariecountybeveragetrail.com .
KyMar Farm Winery and Distillery, located in Charlotteville, NY is the first licensed farm winery and farm distillery in Schoharie County since prohibition. Owner, Head Winemaker and Head Distiller Ken Wortz, partners with local growers to source only the best ingredients used to ferment, distill, age and bottle on site at its newly expanded 20,000 sf production facility, tasting room and store. KyMar currently has five spirits and wine available and will introduce an additional two wines and three spirits in 2015, including itssorghum based StoryHouse Vodka which celebrates the great history of its tasting room and production facility.

Green Wolf Brewing Co. located in Middleburgh, NY is the only brewery and tap room in Schoharie County. Located on Main Street, Green Wolf offers over eight beers in a relaxing, brew pub atmosphere. Local entertainment is scheduled regularly and guests can enjoy their brew and snacks in Green Wolf’s brand new Beer Garden. Justin Behan, Brewmaster and manager of the Tap Room, sources much of the key ingredient, hops, from local growers in Middleburgh and Fulton.
Royal Meadery located in Richmondville, NY recently celebrated its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. Royal Meadery is the vision of Gregory Wilhelm’s passion for home brewing and beekeeping. As Head Meadmaker, Greg creates high-quality meads using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. In addition to honey obtained from Greg’s bees, Royal Meadery partners with local farms to source its wildflower honey. Royal Meadery currently offers three innovative meads with five additional meads planned for release throughout 2015.
Barber’s Farm Distillery, located in Fultonham, NY, will release its 1857 Potato Vodka this summer. Using potatoes grown on the 158 year old family farm, 1857 Potato Vodka is distilled and bottled by Barber’s Farm Distillery. This farm-to-bottle journey begins at Barber’s Farm, where acres of rich farmland are devoted each year to growing potatoes for Barber’s Farm customers and for their vodka.