Drink Beer, save Canandaigua Lake: Lakeside Cream Ale supports preservation efforts

NAPLES, NY — The goal was twofold. Brew a tasty beer and have a portion of the proceeds go to the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association to help perform its mission. In doing so, according to Naples Brewing Co. co-owner Larkin Ryan, the hope also is to spread the word about the Watershed Association's goals and the steps people can take to help preserve the lake.

Apparently, mission accomplished, as Naples Brewery has just produced its second run of Lakeside Cream Ale. The first sold out.

“It’s definitely a beer that we know people love to drink in the summertime,” Ryan said.

The brewery team had made donations and been a member of the organization since opening in the picturesque Ontario County village three years ago, but Ryan said they wanted to take more action.

Members of the Watershed Association and Naples Brewery team met over the winter to brainstorm ideas.

Working with the entire Naples Brewing team has been a great experience, said Lindsay McMillan, association director of the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association.

“Early on in the collaboration, we connected over the common cause of watershed protection and how we could work together to raise awareness for lake health,” McMillan said.

Besides an easy-drinking summer beer, they decided to include facts about the lake on the eye-catching blue-hued can as well as the Watershed Association logo. A QR code takes the lake-conscious beer drinker to the Watershed Association’s website to learn more about what it does and more about Canandaigua Lake.

Ordinarily, the more you drink the more you think you know.

But in this case, do you know how much water Canandaigua Lake holds or how deep the lake is? You would by sipping on a Lakeside Cream Ale in this learn-as-you-drink experience.

“We had fun going back and forth with what the label should look like,” Ryan said.

The brewery, which has hosted rain barrel workshops put on by the Watershed Association, makes note on the label that it sources water from the Canandaigua Lake in its beers.

“This new beer not only celebrates our watershed but also educates with fun lake facts on every can,” McMillan said. “It’s incredible to have such great business supporters that deeply care about our local environment and want to contribute to the overall mission of protecting Canandaigua Lake!”

What the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association does

The Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association strives to preserve, protect and restore the lake and its watershed for current and future generations through education, scientific research and advocating sound public policy.

The organization has been involved in the study of harmful blue-green algae in the lake as well as advocates for its overall health. One example is the Lake Friendly Living initiative, which Naples Brewing has taken part in. Taking the pledge means practicing lake-friendly lawn care by saying no to harmful chemicals and excess fertilizers, reducing household hazardous waste an planting native species, among other actions.

The organization also is involved in raising awareness of the impact of invasive species on the lake and watershed and how to address these unwelcome visitors.

“Following along with everything they do is important,” Ryan said. “Anything we can do to further the cause.”

More about Lakeside Cream Ale

There’s no mistaking that Lakeside Cream Ale is a New York beer. As it’s a cream ale, local corn is used in the brewing process, Ryan said.

Also, Naples Brewing used malt from Murmuration Malts in Bloomfield and Mackinac hops from Cobblestone Hops Farm in Ontario, Wayne County.

"Everything that we brew is brewed on site,” Ryan said. “It’s a super tiny building. We maximize the space as much as we can.”

Where to get Lakeside Cream Ale

Lakeside Cream Ale is available on draft and in four-packs of 16-ounce cans at Naples Brewing Co., 104 N. Main St., Naples. Visitors are asked to park in the nearby municipal parking lot on Mill Street in the village.

Naples Brewing Co. hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 2 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The brewery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Drink Beer, save Canandaigua Lake: Lakeside Cream Ale supports preservation efforts