Cooperstown, New York, is a lovely little village that comes right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It is known for being home to the famous Baseball Hall of Fame and sits on the southern tip of beautiful Lake Otsego. It is an area rich with recreational activities and natural beauty. In a world of modernized tourist destinations, Cooperstown has made every effort to preserve its authenticity and charm. It is a joy to wander. It draws an enormous number of visitors annually, so the local area has expanded its offerings.
One of those new offerings is the award-winning microbrewery Red Shed Taproom and Brewery, which was by far our favorite location for fresh local craft beer in the Cooperstown area. We hit them all during our three-day stay, and Red Shed had it all: atmosphere, uniqueness, style, great décor, delicious food, and, most crucially, absolutely fantastic beer.
Family Run Brewery
This family-run brewery began when Jack Hasbrouk turned a home-brewing hobby and a vision into a dream come true. The family wanted to create a homegrown New York beer using only locally sourced ingredients, in an inviting setting that reflects this warm, welcoming community. They have two locations: We visited the Red Shed Taproom and Brewery, and their original location in Cherry Valley, NY, where the brewery is located. They also have Red Shed Ale House on Main Street in Cherry Valley. The Taproom is a seasonal location; the Alehouse is open year-round.
The Cooperstown Red Shed Taproom and Brewery has a family-friendly atmosphere where you can enjoy a cold pint of Otsego Golden Ale or the Cherry Valley Smoked Porter. It is a relaxed setting inside the red shed or outside in their expansive beer garden and lawns. They host numerous events throughout the seasonal opening, ranging from weekly trivia nights to live music performances. The friendly staff knows their beers and loves to share their knowledge. This feels like a gathering place for the local community, but it would also welcome all baseball enthusiasts, tourists, and craft beer lovers.
Local Ingredients Commitment
The Red Shed Brewery Cooperstown Taproom is a licensed New York State Farm Brewery, as defined by the brewery’s use of at least 60% New York State ingredients. They are proud to use 100% of N.Y. state hops and grains in their current portfolio. The beer is a handcrafted, fresh, traditional local beer produced in small batches. They focus on producing fresh beer that is of high quality, style, and drinkability.
If you love it, as we did, you can take some home. Four-pack cans and kegs are available for purchase.
Our Experience at Red Shed Brewery and Taproom
Now to the beer. There are three options: full pints (16 ounces), hens (10 ounces), and tasters (four 4-ounce servings). There were 20 taps at our location; of course, we wanted to try as many as possible. We each chose three tasters, which included four smaller 4-ounce servings of beer. We each chose different ones to get a more comprehensive sample.
During our visit, we sampled about 12 of them, and at the time, they had a sour that is not currently on the menu. We visit breweries often, and many are hit-or-miss; we rarely like them all. We were fans of everything at the Red Shed Taproom and brewery. Dark beers are our favorite, and they had some perfect ones. It was a fun experience, and if you are in the area, we can’t encourage you enough to try them. You will be well rewarded.
During our visit in the fall, multiple menu choices were available, in addition to beer. Our alternative options included Awestruck Apples & Pear Cider, Awestruck Hibiscus Ginger Cider, and Blueberry Thyme Gose. We sampled all these; the Hibiscus Ginger Cider was our favorite.
If you prefer wine or non-alcoholic beverages, several options are available on the menu.
The Beer Menu
This selection can change over time, but some items will remain on the menu. At the current time, the ones the website says that are on tap are:
Misty Hopped American Pale Ale 6.7% ABV
Little Red Rooster Saison 6.3% ABV
Evil Angel Doulbe India Ale 8.2% ABV
Whiplash Wheat Bavarian Wheat 4.9% ABV
Orion Kolsch Sytle Ale 5.8% ABV
Little Devil India Pale Ale 6.8% ABV
No Quarter English Pale Ale 6.5% ABV
Black Dog Porter 6.2% ABV
Vicarious Vienna Lager 5.4% ABV
Intergalactic IPA 6.4% ABV
Then There is the Food
What is beer without some great food? At the Red Shed Alehouse location, they now have a mouthwatering collaboration with Phat Backs BBQ. What happens when craft beer meets slow-smoked perfection? Pure magic. An unforgettable pairing of award-winning brews and next-level BBQ, where bold flavors, good vibes, and local pride come together.
The Red Shed Taproom and Brewery has outdoor picnic tables, and people are welcome to bring their families and pets. During our visit, they had an on-site food truck that was excellent. When they open for the new season (2026), it is unclear what food will be offered on-site. Call in advance to check whether you should bring your own food to enjoy with their excellent beer, cider, and wine.
Cheers!
Check out the Red Shed Brewery Cooperstown Taproom webpage for more info
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