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 where you can relax outside and sample some of the Hudson Valley’s sensational suds.
Captain Lawrence Brewing
Elmsford
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 a cowboy burger with bacon jam. Consider visiting on Thursdays after 6 p.m. for Community Pints, when Captain Lawrence donates proceeds to various organizations; give $5 or more and get happy hour prices. (Its second location in Mount Kisco has outdoor seating as well.)
Clemson Bros. Brewery
Middletown & New Paltz
During the dog days of summer, Clemson’s outdoor seating area in Middletown transforms into a balmy oasis, thanks to a system that releases a cooling mist over the umbrella-shaded picnic tables. Vines growing up the brick wall and trellis canopy give the space a, urban tropical vibe—the perfect atmosphere for sipping I Dream of Coconuts, a smooth cream ale with just the right amount of coconut flavor. 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).
Roe Jan Brewing Company
Hillsdale
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 1,200-sq-ft 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 & 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 green goddess slaw) are delicious as well. Be on the lookout for the monthly live music schedule for some good tunes during “hoppy” hour.
Subversive Malting + Brewing
Catskill
This excellent 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 Verdant Voyage, its 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. Consider visiting on a Sunday when Subversive hosts live local music.
The Cochecton Pump House
Cochecton
You won’t need a passport to get Asian street food-inspired bites—just head over to Sullivan County. The two-year-old 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 Fridays to Sundays.
Tin Barn Brewing
Chester
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 Juiseissippi Queen and sours like Watermelon Sugar High, both great options to wash down the fried pickles and pizzas.
Bonus: Tin Barn Finger Lakes
Tin Barn—a Sugar Loaf-based brewery that’s gained a loyal following for its IPAs and sours, fun ambience, and funky can art—is celebrating the one-year birthday of its second location in Dundee, next to Seneca Lake. Like its Orange County sister, this Tin Barn serves up fab drinks (we love the Lost Luau), modern pub fare, and live music on weekends. – Francesca Furey
Ancient Egyptians loved beer. Everyone, including kids, drank the nutritious, sweet brew daily.
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 malting local barley and oats for its Dead Rabbit, using Catskill Mountain honey in the Apiary IPA, and brewing its Brookie American lager 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 (including croissants from Olsen & Company), and fun events like hikes and yoga.
Woodstock Brewing
Phoenicia
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 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 13 other drafts on tap.
– On the Farm –
Arrowood Farms
Accord
Brews like the crisp low-ABV Porch Beer Peach (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, honey from onsite hives, and farm-grown lettuce. 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 23-24 with just under 20 artists.
Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery
Altamont
Weekend cookouts go upscale at Indian Ladder Farms’ beer garden. Not only does the 107-year-old 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 90-acre apple orchard—it’s where wild yeast thrives before giving a distinctive flavor to the Superstar IPA. There are a few farm perks, too, like taking a walk along their picturesque nature trail and pick-your-own berries.
People have been drinking beer for nearly 7,000 years and the original brewers were women.
Obercreek Brewing Company
Wappingers Falls
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
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 at one of the many picnic tables at this organic farm and sip on a ginger and rainbow carrot infused Ginger Rainbow or the beloved farmhouse cherry ale Karnet surrounded by 300 wooded acres. On weekends, there are visiting food trucks (grab some Cousin’s Maine Lobster on August 13) and live music on the outdoor stage.
Vosburgh Brewing
Elizaville
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 Aloha Tacos 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: an excellent on-tap lineup including the brewery’s two signature beers: How Lucky, a NEIPA, and Terra, a pilsner, both perfect summer sips.
George Washington insisted that his continental army soldiers have a quart of beer as part of their daily rations.
Related: These 10 Trendsetting Breweries Lead the Hudson Valley Beer Scene
