I had the opportunity to visit Ommegang Brewery in Otsego County on Thursday.  This was a private tour in advance of the official opening of their new $2-million dollar outside dining area, cafe and store.  I could not have been more impressed!

David Neil, Ommegang's Director of Hospitality, guided me around the truly spectacular new facility and told me how excited he was to bring this to his growing list of customers.  "Our new outside seating patio covers 4,000 square feet and can accommodate 125 people comfortably.  Of course the view out over the lawn and into the trees on the hills behind us is gorgeous in all seasons.  People can dine out here, relax with friends, enjoy our Ommegang products and be entertained by the live entertainment we have here frequently.  It really is a special place," he told me.  "Our food is delicious and we try and source as much of it locally as we can.  Our area has some top quality beef, produce, cheeses and other items that we use. All of our food is prepared fresh in-house."

I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story!

The largest beam at the edge of the roof is one picee. It is 140' long and came on its own truck. The woodwork is a fine example of the expertise of our own local Una-Lam Company"
The largest beam at the edge of the roof is one picee. It is 140' long and came on its own truck. The woodwork is a fine example of the expertise of our own local Una-Lam Company"
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Parties and gatherins of all sizes have already booked their get-togethers on the new Ommegang Patio"
Parties and gatherings of all sizes have already booked their get-togethers on the new Ommegang Patio"
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"All the tables on the new deck offer a great view of the rolling lawn which goes up to the treeline out back. It is beautiful in all seasons."
"All the tables on the new deck offer a great view of the rolling lawn which goes up to the treeline out back. It is beautiful in all seasons."
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The new Ommegang Cafe can seat 200 people. The comfortable bar features padded stools. There are 20 beers on tap here.
The new Ommegang Cafe can seat 200 people. The comfortable bar features padded stools. There are 20 beers on tap here.
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"The unique design of areas inside the cafe incorporates the gleaming wood interior of local silos. One is from Pathfinder Village and another is from an old barn. It makes for a stunning backdrop for your dining experience."
"The unique design of areas inside the cafe incorporates the gleaming wood interior of local silos. One is from Pathfinder Village and another is from an old barn. It makes for a stunning backdrop for your dining experience."
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A long mirror behind the bar adds to the openness and elegance of the cafe."
A long mirror behind the bar adds to the openness and elegance of the cafe."
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"20 different Ommegang favorites are featured in the Cafe. The shiny row of taps is something to see!"
"20 different Ommegang favorites are featured in the Cafe. The shiny row of taps is something to see!"
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A second room, completely seperated from the cafe, serves as a private tasting room. This area gives a sense of privacy for small parties."
A second room, completely separated from the cafe, serves as a private tasting room. This area gives a sense of privacy for small parties."
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A large map of the United States is on the wall. It is covered with pins placed by visitors to Ommegang over the years. How many? Too many to count!"
A large map of the United States is on the wall. It is covered with pins placed by visitors to Ommegang over the years. How many? Too many to count!"
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The keg room is where the magic happens. Dozens of kegs of Ommegang beers, kept at the perfect refrigeration temperature, are sent through the many tap lines throughout the new facility.
The keg room is where the magic happens. Dozens of kegs of Ommegang beers, kept at the perfect refrigeration temperature, are sent through the many tap lines throughout the new facility.
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The new Ommegang store offers a wide variety of gifts, beer products and apparel items bearing the brewery branding. This mug is fantastic. Although it is just a mug, it is handled by 50 different craftspeople before it is finished and placed in the store for sale. Beautiful!
The new Ommegang store offers a wide variety of gifts, beer products and apparel items bearing the brewery branding. This mug is fantastic. Although it is just a mug, it is handled by 50 different craftspeople before it is finished and placed in the store for sale. Beautiful!
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The towering tanks on the outside Ommegang pay a cheeky tip of the hat to the dairy country surrounding the brewery.
The towering tanks on the outside Ommegang pay a cheeky tip of the hat to the dairy country surrounding the brewery.
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And what should line the beautiful entranceway to this Belgian brewery? Why, hops of course!
And what should line the beautiful entrance way to this Belgian brewery? Why, hops of course!
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C'mon out to Ommegang for lunch, diner or a party. The expert staff is ready to serve you!
C'mon out to Ommegang for lunch, diner or a party. The expert staff is ready to serve you!
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Put Brewery Ommegang on YOUR summer bucket list!
Put Brewery Ommegang on YOUR summer bucket list!
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