At a time when so many of the region’s silos sit empty, skeletons of an era that is pushing local farmers to consolidate or close shop, those at Dancing Grain Farm and Brewery are full of grain that will be made into world-class craft beers.

The malting barley, distiller’s rye, wheat, corn, fruits, herbs, and flowers spread across Dancing Grains’ 300-acre expanse are harvested each year and blended with 100% New York State-grown hops to create utterly unique hyper-local craft brews that draw summer crowds attracted to farm-to-pint pureness in droves. The brewery, with its spacious wrap-around porch overlooking acres of happy sunflowers, is a sight to behold in the summer’s setting sun.

Come fall, the fire bowls and tables are lit, the trebuchet wheeled out, and pumpkins chucked, flying high through the air to the delight of all in this accessible, well-lit, family-friendly atmosphere.

Brew Can Do It

When farm founder Rachel McDermott left her high-paced job as an investment banker in New York City to return to her family’s roots, she became a second-generation farmer, tapping into agricultural ingenuity to get the job done.

Working with local partners and organizations, including the Saratoga County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dancing Grain is achieving its conservation goals while sourcing only from other farms also focused on protecting the state’s natural resources. By planting cover crops that restore soil health and support biodiversity, they are also sequestering carbon (pulling 91,000 lbs. from the atmosphere in 2024 alone!)

Rachel and her husband, Sean, spent two years during the pandemic renovating the farmhouse and brewery into a production facility and event hotspot where visitors can conserve malt miles while enjoying a variety of seasonal brews, live music, food trucks, a playground, and an off-leash dog park.

“We’re proud and happy to offer a product from Saratoga - to Saratogians (and others!) in a completely unique way,” said Sales Director and Specialty Brewmaster Chris Collier.

Malt Magic

Dancing Grain’s notable beers are stepping up the public’s perception of what seasonal beers made from family farm-grown grains can taste like. Here, artistry and science meet. Chris’s passion for the craft, informed by more than six years honing his skills into a “liquid art” at Roy-Pitz in Pennsylvania, and the expertise of Dancing Grain’s Head Brewer, Chris “Duffy” Dufrain, are combined to propagate a menu of mixed cultures, wild yeasts, and an infusion of ground malts that produce palatable beers.

Dancing Grains' selection of Lagers, IPAs, Pale Ales, Sours, Stouts, Porters, and Kölsch, is making a splash on-site as well as at Cooperstown Distillery, The Local, Pint Sized, 9 Miles East, and Henry St. Taproom.

Dancing Grain also operates a limited canning line, providing visitors with a front-row view of what it means to be a field-to-glass brewery. Their best-seller is the solidly smooth Tractor Time, 5.3% ABV, and their seasonal German-inspired Stallbrenner, 5.8% ABV, a malt-forward brew balanced with classic Oktoberfest flavors, warms you up on a crisp fall day.

A refreshingly rare wild farmhouse ale, the Farmer’s Daughter, 4.0% ABV, is especially drinkable, while the bold flavor of their Crop Top Hazy IPA, 6.4% ABV, delivers on Dancing Grain’s promise to delight the taste buds while beautifying our landscape and enriching our farm-fed economy.