BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Gabe and Olivia Sutton developed a service,
called Hoppy Trails Brew Bus LLC, that offers
an easy way to experience local breweries,
distilleries, and wineries in the upstate area.
Olivia Sutton said the service lets them be
tour guides to “hoppy-ness.”
Hoppy Trails Brew Bus tours offers guided
bus tours to local craft beverage establishments
in the upstate area of Warren, Washington,
Saratoga counties.
It comes after the Adirondack Regional
Chamber of Commerce developed a tour program
as a new tourist attraction in the area.
Once patrons arrive at destinations, private
tours are given of the facility, including the
opportunity for people to sample what’s on tap.
“We want you to board our bus, relax and
discover this flourishing upstate ‘must see’ in
locally crafted beers, wine and moonshine,”
said Sutton.
Sutton said the couple needed a change,
they wanted a venture that would bring them
joy.
“For the past few years we have been looking
for inspiration, something to set off a series
of events that would lead us to one ultimate
goal: Work hard and have fun doing it,” she
said. “We come from varied backgrounds:
working in food service, moonlighting with
the idea of becoming a brew master or distiller,
and two of us even dabble in the world
of public education.”
Sutton said the concept for the business
came about this past summer while on vacation.
She and her family were dining at a local eatery and brew pub when a family member
asked if there was hops growing outside.
“She had read several articles about the
booming hops operations in our local area
of upstate New York. The dinner conversation
then turned to all the local breweries,
distilleries and wineries popping up in our
area. We chatted about how great it would be
to somehow connect them, creating a network
of local beverage stops, a new take on hiking
through the Adirondacks. The concept of
Hoppy Trails was born” said Sutton.
“It’s our goal to work hard, plot out the
perfect trail route for you to enjoy what these
Adirondack beverage businesses have to offer.
No hiking boots are required. Just a willingness
to enjoy some brews and have fun doing
it,” said Sutton.
Their target customer is anyone who loves
to experience craft beverages. They welcome
couples, groups of friends and family, and
anyone who is looking to sample the growing
craft beverage industry.
The tours will range in price from $45 to
$55. All tours include snacks and a larger Saturday
tour will include dinner. Ticket prices
include samples at establishments.
Hoppy Trails is partnered with Common
Roots, Mean Max, Adirondack Brew Pub,
Coopers Cave, Springbrook Hollow Distillery,
Saratoga Winery, Thirsty Owl and Lake George
Distillery, all located in Saratoga and Warren
counties.
You can find more information on Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter. The phone number is
361-3087.
Photo Todd Bissonette Photography