Eat First

Burger and Beer Nights at Greyrock Farm

Burgers and beer go together like eggs and bacon, wine and cheese, peanut butter and jelly. Burgers and beer are even better if the burgers are made with local, grassfed beef and the beer or beers are local craft beers. In Central New York, burgers and beer don't get any better than those at the seasonal Burger and Beer Nights at Greyrock Farm, near Cazenovia.

 

This is the second summer for Burger and Beer Nights at the farm. The events are a way to celebrate the growing season, the community, local brews and Greyrock's grassfed beef (raised, slaughtered and butchered on site).

 

It was a beautiful evening to be outside for the first Burger and Beer Night of the season on June 17. Matt Volz, owner-operator of the year-round CSA (community supported agriculture) farm, greeted guests, collected money and explained the evening's offerings: two burgers ($10-$12) and two sides ($2-$3). The Evergreen, a craft beer bar and restaurant in downtown Syracuse, brought in a couple beers from Stout Beard Brewing Company, Syracuse. Guests paid for their orders, picked up their burgers and beers and settled in at long picnic tables topped with wildflowers in Mason jar vases. Plenty of families were in attendance, and guests were encouraged to walk around the farm.

 

The Burger and Beer Night series kickoff also served as an introduction to executive chef Rich Strub and Eden, a farm to table collaborative restaurant scheduled to open in the coming months at 118 E. Genesee St., Syracuse (Hanover Square). In addition to a basic Greyrock Farm burger topped with fresh greens, Strub offered a deluxe Greyrock burger, topped with dandelion greens, rhubarb sauce and Camembert cheese from North Country Creamery. Both burgers, cooked to rare, were delicious. Available on the side were Strub's deviled eggs topped with bacon jam ($2) and arugula and strawberry salad ($3.). Also on the side were the traditional burger condiments, ketchup and mustard.

 

Burger and Beer Nights at Greyrock Farm are held the third Saturday of the month, through September. There will be no Burger and Beer Night in August -- Volz and his wife, Lela Niemetz, have reserved that Saturday to celebrate their recent wedding.

 

For more information on Greyrock Farm, including its year-round CSA, farm store, raw milk and upcoming events, CLICK HERE.

 

 

10 Instagram accounts you should follow if you LOVE local food

If you love local food, here are 10 Syracuse- and Central New York food-focused accounts you'll want to follow. Warning: You'll want to lick the screen!

 

Editor's note: Today's blog post is a collaboration with EatLocalCNY.com. For five more Syracuse- and Central New York-food-focused Instagram accounts worth a follow, CLICK HERE.

 

1. @feedmecuse

Reasons you should follow: This duo (a vegetarian and a carnivore) seek out all the best eats to be found in the Salt City, from sushi at Secret Garden to Sunday brunch at The Mission Restaurant to beet salad at Empire Brewing Company to soft serve ice cream at Vicky's Tasty Treats to... well, you'll just have to follow along. 

 

2. @rochellebilow

Reasons you should follow: The CNY native, food writer and author, now social media editor at @CookingLight (and formerly Bon Appetit), shares gorgeous photos and creative recipes to fuel body and soul. #thenewhealthy   

 

3. @cuseappetit

Reasons you should follow: Green eggs and ham at the Cider Mill. Lobster roll, mushy peas and mac salad at The Fish Friar. A once in a lifetime wine at Justin's Tuscan Grill. @cuseappetit is ''a food and booze cruise though 'Cuse,'' in pictures. 'Nuff said!  

 

4. @thehungryorange

Reasons you should follow: "Just a couple of homegrown foodies'' quenching their thirst and feeding their hunger. From brews at Now & Later to bagels and lox at Cazenovia Bagel Co., they get around. #alwayshungry 

 

5. @spoon_cuse

Reasons you should follow: Spoon University at Syracuse is a food and lifestyle publication for students, produced by students. When they're not hitting the books, they're hungry and in search of good eats, off campus and on campus. 

 

For 5 more, local Instagram accounts to follow, visit EatLocalCNY. CLICK HERE.