These Hudson Valley breweries have scrumptious food and beer in one place. Adobe Stock / Studio Romantic
Looking to sip on local craft beers with bites to match? Head to these breweries around the Hudson Valley for top-notch food and drinks.
By Kenny Gould and Matt Moment
There is certainly no shortage of superb craft beer in the Hudson Valley. Quite the opposite, in fact! There is such a robust craft beverage scene in the region that we have an entire section of our website dedicated to news of local brews. While the primary focus of these establishments is, inarguably, the beer, some have emerged as hotspots for food snobs with artfully prepared fare. When hunger strikes—and you also have a hankering for a cold IPA, lager, or stout—head to one of these foodie-approved breweries around the Hudson Valley.
Brown’s Brewing Co.
Troy
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Founded by Garry and Kelly Brown in 1993, Brown’s has long been a leader in the Hudson Valley beer scene with top-notch brews and excellent food. Select one of the beers—which are organized in categories like rarities, fruit-forward, crisp and clean, dark and roasty, and hoppy—to complement your meal. Of all the appetizers, we keep coming back to the green goddess pizza, a gluten-free delight made with a cauliflower crust, pesto, mozzarella, arugula, avocado, and honey jalapeño drizzle. (Did we mention it’s great for sharing?) For your main, a burger is always a solid choice, but equally tempting are the strip steak and lemon-pepper salmon.
C.H. Evans Brewing Co.
Albany
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Located inside the Albany Pump Station, C.H. Evans is known for three things: food, beer, and historic preservation. Founder Neil Evans earned an award from the Preservation League of New York for maintaining the ambience of the industrial building, but the acclaim doesn’t end there. The brewery’s beers have consistently won awards at the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival. In the way of food, expect simple pub fare with the occasional twist. The “kick-ass brown barbecue ribs,” for example, come slathered in “kick-ass brown ale barbecue sauce.” What more could you ask for?
Clemson Bros. Brewery
Middletown and New Paltz
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Before we talk food, want to hear a fun fact? The Middletown location of this popular brewpub is situated inside a brick-walled building that once produced the world’s best hacksaws. Now, the building owners cut a different path, crafting IPAs, sours, and stouts—and a full menu at both locations. Diners can expect standard American grub; as a nod to the brewery’s history, try “The Hacksaw,” a burger stacked with beer cheese, bacon, jalapeños, onion fritz, and lettuce, served on a pretzel bun.
Defiant Brewing Co.
Pearl River
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A brewery with a smokehouse? Yes, please! Defiant is the perfect destination for the barbecue lover, with pulled pork (cooked low and slow), chicken wings, baby back ribs, and smoked beef brisket all taken to the next level with Defiant’s signature dry rub. Pale ale appreciators will be most impressed with brews like “Medusa” and “My Cleanest Dirty Shirt,” whereas for those who prefer dark beers, the “Faceless Malice” stout and “Into the Void” oatmeal milk stout are equally tempting choices.
Related: This Hudson Restaurant Is One of the Best in the United States
Mill House Brewing Co.
Poughkeepsie
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Two private dining rooms, off-street parking, and an industrial-chic taproom inside a renovated mill house make the perfect destination for intimate events and small soirees alike. Beers range from the 3.5% ABV Mill House Light Lager to the limited release 11% barrel-aged “Pandamonium” imperial stout, and the menu is just as varied, with upscale pub food and charcuterie.
Newburgh Brewing Company
Newburgh
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Since opening in 2012, Newburgh Brewing Company has brewed countless styles of beer under the direction of brewmaster Christopher Basso, who attended the French Culinary Institute and began his career at the famed Brooklyn Brewery. The food menu is simple but fresh, with tacos, quesadillas, and a killer Empire Smash burger, to name but a few of its tantalizing picks. The poutine is not to be missed—and can be shared, if you’re dining with a group—and pairs well with beer options like the MegaBoss IPA and cream ale.
Tin Barn Brewing
Chester
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At Tin Barn, it’s all about the pizza. (Aside from the beer, of course.) The Orange County brewery has its own pizza oven, meaning the pies you’ll find here are absolutely not of the frozen variety. After kicking off your meal with an appetizer—think Bavarian pretzels, crispy truffle fries, or fried pickles—choose between a red or white pizza. Carnivores will devour the “butcher shop” pie, complete with sweet Italian sausage, pepperoni, and sliced meatballs, while vegans can select from the “vegan-ized” pizzas.
Woodstock Brewing
Phoenicia
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The two friends behind Woodstock Brewing have come a long way from their original half-barrel pilot system. Now sporting a 15-barrel system and one of the most Instagrammable (yes, it’s a word) taprooms in the Catskills, Woodstock Brewing also offers a lengthy food menu with a little something for everyone—that means you, too, vegetarians and vegans. The roasted cauliflower banh mi, while indubitably vegan, may appeal to all diners with its flavorful assemblage of marinated and roasted cauliflower, mushroom pate, pickled daikon radish, carrots, cilantro, jalapeno, vegan aioli, and a lime wedge upon a sour dough ciabatta roll. Or, you could opt for the smash burger, Impossible burger, or grilled chicken sandwich—the possibilities are endless.
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