There is a specific kind of sporting goods store that only exists in rural upstate New York — the kind where the owner knows every fishing hole within thirty miles, where the hunting section is not an afterthought, and where the advice is free and genuinely useful. Brewer's Sporting Goods is that store. Earning Gold for Best Sporting Good in 2022 from FLX Finest voters, Brewer's has been the go-to outfitter for hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts across the Finger Lakes region for years. This is not a Dick's Sporting Goods competitor; it is the place that Dick's cannot replicate.

The inventory reflects the actual outdoor life of the region: fishing tackle calibrated for the specific lakes and streams within driving distance, hunting gear for the seasons that matter here, and the kind of boots, apparel, and accessories that people who actually spend time outside need rather than what looks good on a mannequin. The staff are users of the products they sell, which matters when you need to know whether a particular rod works on Keuka Lake or which boots hold up in a November deer stand. That lived expertise is the whole value proposition.

In a region increasingly defined by wine tourism and farm-to-table dining, Brewer's is a reminder that the Finger Lakes has always been outdoor country first. The lakes, the gorges, the state forests — all of it draws people who need gear, not just tasting flights. Brewer's serves that community with the seriousness it deserves, and the Gold award confirms what every local hunter and angler already knew: this is where you go before you go outside.