Photos courtesy of Upper Depot Brewing
Best friends and longtime residents of Columbia County, Monty Bopp and Aaron Maas, opened their dream brewery in Hudson last year in a 19th century train station. Here’s why Upper Depot is well worth a stop.
The Story
Maas started making beer as a culinary student at SUNY Cobleskill, and after interning at the Dutch Ale House in Saugerties, he fell in love with the industry. “Since then, it’s just been a longtime goal to open our own brewery,” says Maas. Combined with Bopp’s experience working at a variety of restaurants in Hudson, the duo helped restore a circa-1871 train station, began crafting their own brews, and formally opened Upper Depot on December 28, 2022.
The Vibe
The aesthetic is modern-industrial, a cool-looking space that also honors the building’s vintage: high ceilings, tall windows, restored original wainscoting, and plenty of steel equipment. “It hits on both honoring Hudson’s history while looking forward to the future,” says Bopp.
The Beers
Upper Depot Brewing produces four flagship beers: Upper Depot IPA, Shop the Cooler Stout, No. 999 Steam Ale, and Upper Depot Kölsch. Their best-seller is the IPA, a bold West Coast-style brew with citrus and piney aromas. The Kölsch is a crisp and yeasty golden beer. If you’re a fan of malty notes, the amber-colored ale is for you. Maas’ favorite is the stout, a coffee- and chocolate-flavored brew with dark-roasted malts and oats. Other beers on tap are poured seasonally.
The Bites
Booking food trucks instead of operating an on-site kitchen was a “no-brainer,” says Bopp. “We wanted to focus on the beer.” Hudson’s own Whale Belly food truck is a regular, serving up a range of sandwiches with freshly smoked meats Wednesday through Sunday. More trucks may stop by over the summer.
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