Dreamy lager first fest planned for Aurora Brewing on Cayuga Lake

Land O'Lagers festival will take place at May 18 at the Cayuga County brewery

The upcoming Land O’Lagers festival is more like a reunion than a beer event. That’s because the celebration of crispy beers at Aurora Brewing, 1897 State Route 90 North in King Ferry, Cayuga County, is really an excuse for brewing friends to get together.

And the public surely benefits. Because the first edition of the event, taking place from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, will allow attendees to enjoy some of the best lagers in the country.

“I always wanted to do something like this and we never really had the infrastructure to do it. This idea just dawned on me, ‘Land O’Lagers,’ and I had the image burned in my brain,” Aurora Brewing co-founder Mark Grimaldi said. “I was like, ‘Fuck it.’ I brought it up to (Aurora co-founder) Joe (Shelton), and he was like, ‘Yo, let’s do it.’ And it just kind of snowballed. So we’re gonna do it.”

He said the pieces are finally in place — kitchen, staffing, outdoor space (where some improvements are being finalized right now), taproom — to make this type of event feasible. And in true Aurora fashion, expect this one to be pretty low key and intimate. Beers should be pouring all day and new stuff should go on draft pretty frequently.

Grimaldi hopes this encourages people to come whenever they want and stay for as long as they want. The event will largely be held outdoors. In addition to the 19 breweries participating, each brewery is encouraged to bring a beer it is excited about, whether it be an IPA, a mixed culture creation, or a pastry stout. There will be three stations to get a fill, including the taproom, and beers will be offered in full and half pour sizes. As the event page promises, “This is about savoring and enjoying…”

There will be bands throughout the day, sets from DJs, a clam bake, food trucks, and Aurora’s famous wood-fired pizzas. The participant list is pretty nutty. It includes a host of NYS spots and some incredibly exciting regional places like Philadelphia’s Human Robot, Florida’s Civil Society, Vermont’s Wunderkammer, New Jersey’s The Seed, and Massachusetts’ Trillium (which has been making some exquisite lagers recently from grain the brewery grows). Many have never poured in this region.

The participant list is extra special for the Aurora crew, because they’re all friends. Grimaldi said the invite list represents breweries Aurora has worked with, learned from, and hung out with. Really, it’s an excuse for friends to get together, welcome in the public, and enjoy some beautiful crispy beers while overlooking scenic Cayuga Lake.

Grimaldi is especially pumped to welcome Wunderkammer to the Finger Lakes. Owner/brewer Vasilios Gletsos worked with Hill Farmstead and has garnered attention for his rustic farmhouse creations, some of which include foraged ingredients. So while Wunderkammer isn’t necessarily known for lagers, it will undoubtedly bring something memorable to the event.

There are four different levels of tickets, including a VIP one that gets you prime access to the event from noon to 1 p.m. Each ticket includes a package of goodies, too (details on the site). Capacity will be limited and part of the entry free will be donated to the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Parking will be available on-site, as well as by shuttle from a lot a short distance away from the brewery. All information, including the complete list of participants and ticketing, can be viewed here.

Aurora on the Canal update

Aurora opened its first satellite taproom late last summer in Monroe County. The Perinton location along the Erie Canal has been a dream for Aurora. Grimaldi said business has been booming.

“We had a great 2023 and the winter was better than expected,” he said.

But the question remains: When will the tap shack, first utilized by original tenant Seven Story Brewing, open and when will people have access to the outdoor seating along the canal? Grimaldi said Aurora is working on it. It requires the OK from the state Canal Corporation, the agency controlling the canal frontage and access to it.

“We’re working very hard to get that canal space open,” Grimaldi said. He added they recently reached a solution with the town of Perinton to regain that access.

“We’re super, super close,” Grimaldi said. “Fingers crossed we’ll have something for summertime.”

Seneca Lake beer festival upcoming

The second Spring Fling Brewers Festival, hosted by the Seneca Lake Order of Brewers, will take place on Saturday, April 27, at Big aLICe Brewing in Geneva, Ontario County. The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and a ticket will set you back $40.

All 23 Seneca Lake breweries will participate, Brewery Ardennes co-founder/head brewer Derek Edinger said. And it provides a great chance to interact with brewery owners and brewers.

“After a successful sell-out of our inaugural festival last year, we’re excited to hold our second annual Spring Fling to highlight this collaborative community of brewers,” Edinger offered in a release. “In addition to being the largest ingredient in all our beers, Seneca Lake is our home and a precious resource which we are committed to preserve and protect! We’re therefore very pleased to partner with Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association for this year’s Spring Fling.”

The fest will include a raffle to benefit Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association.

Tickets can be purchased at the link here. And more information can be obtained at slobsflx.com.

FLX Beverage Trail fest slated for late April

After a pandemic pause, the Rochester/Finger Lakes Craft Beverage-led First Fest returns for round two on Friday, April 26, at Ravenwood Golf Club in Victor. Entry includes beverage samples, appetizers, a tasting glass and music. VIP runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and tickets cost $65.

General admission runs from 7 to 9 p.m. A GA ticket will run you $40. Designated driver tickets are also available.

You can review the list of participants and purchase tickets here.