“Any time is a good time for a beer.” That’s Hyde Park Brewing’s motto, and for 18 years they have been serving up an array of award-winning brews to Hudson Valley patrons.
John Eccles, head brewer at Hyde Park and at Skytop Steakhouse and Brewing, has beer-making in his blood. “My grandfather was a Prohibition brewer, and when I talked to others about him, they said he always had cash and a car during the Depression,” Eccles says. “I thought that might be a good profession to go into.”
In his late 30s, Eccles did go into it, and eventually was hired by Joey and Angela LoBianco, owners of Hyde Park and Skytop. He now keeps both places hopping with a variety of beers.
Keeping his suds connoisseurs happy is a challenge. “People develop an acute palate and can tell if there are changes,” he says. “There can be variations from batch to batch — that’s part of the fun of it too — but each beer has developed a following. People don’t like me messing with their beer — and it is their beer.” 845-229-8277; www.hydeparkbrewing.moonfruit.com
Stop By: On Saturday, when pitchers are $11, happy hour runs from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and live music starts at 8:30 p.m.
Munch On: Itza Schnitzel, breaded pork cutlet with lemon caper butter, braised red cabbage, and whipped potatoes.
Listen To: The Open Mic Blues Jam and Revue with Petey Hop begins at 8:30 p.m. every Wednesday.
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