OUR HISTORY
HOPS, HISTORY & HOME BREW
IMAGE: Foothill Hops home brew shop
Over 25 years ago, we learned that Madison County was the birthplace of US commercial hops production in the early 1800’s. Historic and scientific curiosity led us to plant our first hops rhizomes and to found Foothill Hops Farm in 2001, becoming one of the very first farms to grow hops in New York State since the 1950’s. Our early hop sales were mainly to home brewers and when asked if we had grains and equipment, we decided to open a homebrew shop and began to experiment with small batch brewing ourselves. We had a dream that one day hop farms and farm breweries could develop into a successful Central New York agritourism industry, complementing the vineyards and wine trails of the Finger Lakes.
OUR HISTORY
GROWING AN INDUSTRY
IMAGE: People in hop yard at field day event.
Hop Field day
Working with the Madison County Ag Economic Development Specialist, the Northeast Hop Alliance, the NYS Brewer’s Association and our state legislators, we helped craft the farm brewery legislation. We focused on providing education, services, advocacy and support for hops and barley production across New York as the first farm breweries began to open. With those agricultural industries firmly established, we returned to our personal dream of starting a small brewery on our farm.
Northeast Hop Alliance conference - Kate And LARRY were founding members of the Northeast Hop alliance.
Larry in the hop yard - What started as a quarter acre experiment has grown into an Industry.
HOP Fest 2019 - In 2004, Kate and Larry were honored to be the Madison County HOP Fest royal couple.
OUR HISTORY
THE FARM BREWERY
Foothill Hops Farm Brewery became a reality in November 2017. Since that time we have tripled in size, added many new features indoors and out, expanded our beer lineup, and made many new friends . Although we are continually learning, changing, growing, we remain true to our “place-based approach to brewing”. You will find “our hops in every drop” of our beers and nearly 100% of the grains and other ingredients come from New York farmers and producers, most within Madison County. In addition to our beers and line of “hops cuisine” products, we carry a wide selection of NYS wine, mead, spirits, and locally produced specialty foods in our tasting room. Let us share “the whole hops experience” with you - from Madison County history to our hopyard to harvesting and processing to brewing to the pint. Nothing would make us “hoppier” than if you came to visit.
Official Credo of American Entrepreneurs Association 1981
INDEPENDENCE
THE SIGN OVER OUR BAR HAS BEEN ON THE INVOICES OF FISHER’S ELECTRIC FOR OVER 60 YEARS. IT STILL REPRESENTS THE VISION BEHIND OUR BUSINESS.
BEING INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEURS: We signed this credo nearly 40 years ago with respect to our family electrical business. It echoes the guidance of our fathers and grandfathers and truly represents the independent life we have tried to live, the challenges of building an industry, and the attitudes we hope to have instilled in our daughters.
I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon -- if I can.
I seek opportunity -- not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
I want to take a calculated risk, to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole; I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, to enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say: This, with God's help, I have done.
All this is what it means to be an Entrepreneur.
AND A HOP GROWER AND A SMALL INDEPENDENT FARM BREWER.