If you’re among the many whose idea of heaven is enjoying a cold beer (or two) on a steamy summer day, head straight to one of these 13 craft breweries to relax outside and sample the Hudson Valley’s sensational suds.
Captain Lawrence Brewing
Elmsford, Mount Kisco
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Stopping by Captain Lawrence’s beer garden is like going to a block party without the hassle of bringing a dish—and who doesn’t love that? Go with groups of friends and family to gather around picnic tables and beer barrels that double as high-top tables. The relaxed setting makes summery beers, like the crowd-pleasing Jam Juice Hazy IPA, go down easy—especially when sipped between turns of giant Jenga or cornhole. When you work up an appetite, dig into wild mushroom pizza or shareable cowboy sliders with bacon jam.
Clemson Bros. Brewery
Middletown, New Paltz
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During the dog days of summer, Clemson’s outdoor seating area gives off an urban tropical vibe, with vines growing up the brick wall and trellis canopy—the perfect atmosphere for sipping Sun Kissed, a fruity mango pilsner. The menu is also a dream. Start off with the excellent black dirt onion dip and house-fried kettle chips, then dig into one of 10 fan-favorite burgers. We personally can’t get enough of the Big Bad Wolf (bacon, bacon aïoli, onion jam, Taylor ham, and smoked gouda) or The Hacksaw (beer cheese, bacon, jalapeños, onion fritz, and lettuce on a pretzel bun).
The Cochecton Pump House
Cochecton
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You won’t need a passport to get Asian street food-inspired bites—just head over to Sullivan County. The Cochecton Pump House offers up crispy cauliflower, pork banh mi, cold peanut noodles, and a wide selection of local wine and beer on tap. But what really makes this spot special is the setting: a once-abandoned 19th-century brick building that has been transformed into an open-air beer garden, complete with hundreds of twinkling string lights and a stage for artists to bring the (pump) house down. Come for live music and dance parties on weekends.
Roe Jan Brewing Company
Hillsdale
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The old Hillsdale Mercantile Building on Anthony Street once housed a variety of booming businesses, like general stores, a shirt factory, and beer bottling. A hundred and fifty years later, it’s home to Roe Jan Brewing—a brewery and restaurant with an impressive outdoor beer garden. You’ll find a whole lot of wood here: the brewhouse has glossy, wooden floors, and outdoor seating is covered by a gorgeous cedar post-and-beam structure. Order one of the most popular drafts like Yonderview, a bright IPA; the hazy 22.5 juicy IPA; or the tart blackberry sour, Emma. Plenty of snacks and gastropub delights are on the menu: small plates of disco fries (poutine), mac and cheese bites, and beer-battered onion rings are a good start, and sandwiches like the Drunken Pig (pulled pork, coleslaw, and drunken barbecue sauce) and Bird in the Hand (breaded fried chicken and sweet and spicy aioli) are delicious as well.
Subversive Malting + Brewing
Catskill
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This brewery operates out of an old mechanic’s garage and has an intimate outdoor area with umbrella-shaded picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. It regularly releases experimental hoppy beers that are always worth trying, but you can’t go wrong with New York Nectar, an IPA brewed with 100-percent New York grown grains, on a hot day (all the beers are crafted from locally sourced ingredients). Pair your draft with a smash burger (a bestseller) and fries with your choice from 10 delicious dipping sauces.
Tin Barn Brewing
Chester
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There’s never a dull moment at this brewery that’s forever a beer bash. Every Friday night, Sunday afternoon, and select Saturdays, bluegrass bands and guitar riffs enliven Tin Barn’s outdoor space, thanks to flawless acoustics enhanced by a natural rock wall backdrop. The brewery’s garden features a bi-level deck and more than 400 seats, so there’s no doubt you’ll find a great spot to kick back and relax. An extensive beer list boasts IPAs like Block Party Boom Box and sours like Afternoon Tea, both great options to wash down the fried pickles and pizzas.
West Kill Brewing
West Kill
If you’re looking for a true taste of the Catskills, head to the base of Hunter Mountain for this rustic gem. Located on an expansive 127-acre dairy farm, the brewery takes pride in using locally foraged ingredients in its beers, like the Brookie American lager that’s brewed with Mohawk Valley-grown white corn. Plus, the beer cans have some of the coolest art around. On the weekends, West Kill hosts music, pop-up eateries, and fun events like hikes and yoga.
Woodstock Brewing
Phoenicia
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Before becoming a full-blown brewery with 15 barrels, Woodstock Brewing was just a half-barrel pilot system run by two friends out of a garage. They’ve upgraded big time: you’ll find an Instagram-worthy taproom, a large outdoor seating area complete with fire pits, ample seating, views of Slide Mountain, and a brewery kitchen churning out taquitos, smash burgers, and amazing Woodstock Lager-battered onion rings. No matter what you order, wash it down with the Baby Dragon pale ale (the most popular beer), or 15 other drafts on tap.
– On the Farm –
Arrowood Farms
Accord
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Brews like the crisp, low-ABV Porch Beer (the go-to for summer) somehow taste even fresher when enjoyed under the covered pavilion at Arrowood Farms. Or settle in at one of the picnic tables, surrounded by hops and fruit trees. Menu favorites include loaded tots and burgers, seasonal salads, and grilled sandwiches. Bring a fun activity (we’re thinking frisbee, Kan Jam, and Spikeball)—Arrowood’s sprawling lawn is ideal for games. This farm brewery is also the spot for outdoor music and festivals— hosting big events like the Woodist Festival at the farm from September 21-22 with 13 artists.
Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery
Altamont
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Weekend cookouts go upscale at Indian Ladder Farms’ beer garden. Not only does the historic farm host apple-picking of over 40 apple varieties—it also offers pairing suggestions of farm-to-glass beers and cider. While relaxing in one of the Adirondack chairs, take a look at the beautiful 60-acre apple orchard as you sip on a Summer Rental IPA. There are a few farm perks, too, like taking a walk along the picturesque nature trail and pick-your-own berries.
Obercreek Brewing Company
Wappingers Falls
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A large outdoor tent offers ample shade at Obercreek, but if you don’t mind a little sun (and bringing your own chair), you’re welcome to set up shop just about anywhere on the organic farm that surrounds the brewery. The staff highly recommends quenching your thirst with Sundial, a brightly flavored American IPA. If you like stout, the French Press is terrific. For more action, come on the weekends when Obercreek occasionally invites food trucks and hosts live music.
Plan Bee Farm Brewery
Poughkeepsie
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Though just a few miles from downtown Poughkeepsie, Plan Bee feels worlds away from city life. Yeast cultivated from onsite honeycomb and grains and hops from the fields are the secret ingredients to the community-created beers. Plant yourself outdoors at one of the many picnic tables at the brewery’s organic farm and sip on a ginger-and-rainbow-carrot-infused Ginger Rainbow or the beloved farmhouse cherry ale Karnet surrounded by acres of wooded land. On weekends, there are visiting food trucks and live music on the outdoor stage.
RMV Cellars
West Park
Travel up a country road in Ulster County and past Red Maple Vineyard to find RMV Cellars, a brewery located in the middle of a vineyard. Once a dairy farm, the family-owned and -operated winery-brewery combination offers a one-of-a-kind experience in West Park. Sit down outside under a shady umbrella or charming trellis and play lawn games, chow down on fare prepared by CIA graduates, or tune into the live music on weekend nights as you sip on a brew courtesy of Great Life Brewing. You won’t want to miss out on the Sidewinder fries to share, and the Juicy Joy IPA for yourself.Â
Vosburgh Brewing
Elizaville
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There’s nothing like enjoying an ice-cold beer while gazing at this nearly 200-year-old farm’s hops and flower fields. Originally the first home of the Hudson Valley’s ever-popular Sloop Brewing, Vosburgh has since channeled that creative energy into its own brews. From pop-ups of burger and wing nights to live acoustic and folk tunes and local bands, there’s always something new to experience at Vosburgh Brewing. The one thing that you can always count on is an excellent on-tap lineup including the brewery’s two signature beers: How Lucky, a NEIPA, and Terra, a pilsner, both perfect summer sips.
Related: A Foodie’s Summer Bucket List in the Hudson Valley
