Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore the flavor of Erie County! Take a day to experience what Erie’s brewers, winemakers and distilleries are conjuring up right in your own backyard.

Lake Erie Ale Trail

Erie’s local breweries and brewpubs are ready to welcome you! Plan a day visiting the thirteen breweries that comprise the Lake Erie Ale Trail, located throughout Erie and Crawford Counties, for unique food and a wide variety of handcrafted local beers.

Start in Downtown Erie where Voodoo Brewery is offering fun, flavorful brews in a quirky environment. A limited menu is available to be enjoyed in the brewery’s large green space adjacent to the Boston Store. Also downtown you’ll find locally-owned Lavery Brewing, known for its innovative small-batch brews and unique eats. Try them out on Taco Tuesday for unique pairings on the patio. Erie’s original brewpub and restaurant is The Brewerie at Union Station – the historic atmosphere is the perfect spot to enjoy classics like the bright Railway Hefeweizen or the smooth Silk Bomb.

Just west of Erie, you can find Black Monk Brewery and Erie Ale Works. With a rotating lineup of food trucks on site each day, you’ll have a new experience each time you’re there. Check them out on Facebook to find out who will be on site. If you head east, check out the brand-new Nostrovia Brewing or Erie Brewing Company. EBC's spacious pub in Knowledge Park provides a fun atmosphere where groups can space out inside or on the patio and enjoy Erie-themed brews like the Bayfront Blonde or Misery Bay IPA along with pizza from an in-house partner. Continue on scenic route 20 to Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing to enjoy a glass of beer, wine or handcrafted cocktail like a maple old fashioned on the picturesque patio.

Check the full list of member breweries here.

Lake Erie Wine Country

Wine lovers rejoice – the largest grape-growing region east of the Rocky Mountains starts in Erie County! There you’ll find 23 unique wineries spanning 50 miles along the shore of Lake Erie into New York state. From bold cabernets to light Rieslings, or our region’s signature sweet Niagaras, enjoy tasting a breadth of flavors hand crafted right here on our shores. Each of the wineries offers a different experience but regardless of the tour you take, you can expect to find knowledgeable winemakers to guide you through tastings to find a wine that suits your palate.

Most wineries have reopened for business and many offer outdoor seating for wine tasting or enjoying a glass on site. Be sure to call before you go – each may have different rules for allowing tastings, and some are open by appointment or to-go orders only.

Start planning your trip here.

Local Distilleries
One of the newer trends Erie is experiencing is the emergence of distilleries.  Crafting hand-made cocktails, high quality liquor and spirits along with some amazing tasting rooms, unique products and creative promotions to get you in door and then back for more.  Most of our local distilleries offer outdoor seating as well as food pairings.  For a complete list of Erie distilleries click here. 

No wine, beer or distillery tour is complete without a great meal. Make a reservation at The Skunk and Goat Tavern in North East or The Cork 1794 in Millcreek for an unforgettable meal featuring seasonal fresh flavors and unique pairings in an eclectic atmosphere. Both locations are offering dine-in or patio seating, as well as online ordering and take out. You can find their complete menus and updated policies here.

Consider booking a hotel to complement your Erie Staycation and make a night or two of it! Erie County has plenty of lodging opportunities from first-class hotels to quaint Bed & Breakfasts, family-owned motels, cottages and campgrounds.  For a complete list of lodging options, click here.