Pumpkin pickers have even more reason to visit Schmitt’s Family Farm in Riverhead.
For the first three weekends in October, the Sound Avenue farm stand is offering local brews from North Fork Brewing Co. in addition to its u-pick pumpkin field and one-acre corn maze.
“It gives people a chance to sit down and have a beer when they’re at the farm,” owner Matt Schmitt said. “It helps promote them, it helps promote us. It is a good thing when local businesses support each other.”
On tap is the Riverhead brewery’s spiced squash ale, lager and a New England-style IPA. Every year, North Fork Brewing Co. sources the butternut squash used in its “Butternut the Hutt” seasonal spiced squash ale from local North Fork farms. The first batch this year was from Krupski Farms in Peconic, right down the road from the brewery’s hop yard.
The second batch, which will be available to taste at Schmitt Farms starting Saturday, Oct. 5, is made with butternut squash from the Riverhead farm. Tastings will be from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cans will also be available for purchase.
“We are always excited to release this beer during the fall, showcasing the amazing local produce that the North Fork has to offer, as well as supporting our fellow local farmers,” said North Fork Brewing Co. co-owner and founder Ian Van Bourgondien. “It truly takes great farms to make great beer.”
If you feeling snack-ish, Schmitt’s Farm is serving up roasted corn and baked potatoes this fall. The farm stand is also stocked with fall décor items such as hay bales and mums as well as its famed Holy Schmitt’s Horseradish, bake goods and other seasonal produce.
Schmitt’s Family Farm is located at 3355 Sound Ave, Riverhead
