Delmar, NY
On the way to or from Albany, be sure to take a swing by Delmar, NY to hit two great little breweries. Only a mile apart from each other, The Real McCoy Beer Co and The Warbler Brewery serve up a long list of delicious taps. The Real McCoy Beer Co set their roots down in an old mechanics garage (we think) and while the indoor space isn’t much their outdoor beer garden is a massive space with lots of picnic tables and live music. The Real McCoys Beer ranges all the styles, but since it was Melissa’s birthday weekend we focused on two delicious sours; Bravo Whiskey Raspberry and Solid Liquid (sour IPA).
The Warbler Brewery is a small, husband and wife run brewery that opened their doors during the mess that is covid. Lucky for us and them, the world is getting back to normal and you can enjoy their delicious eight taps in flight form. If you’re lucky enough to be at the brewery when Phloem (a 12% maple syrup, toasted pecan, madagascar vanilla imperial stout) is on draft, this is your must try and grab bottles if you can. Worse case, you settle for our two runner ups – Screech Blackberry (fruit sour) or Canopy 1 (a wheat-based Citra, cashmere NEDIPA). Both of these beers score over a 4 on untappd; so we’re sure you will still be impressed.
Catskill & Hudson, NY
A short detour off 87 is Subversive Malting + Brewery, Crossroads Brewing Company of Catskill, NY and a short trek across the river is Hudson Brewing Company (of Hudson, NY of course). Subversive Malting + Brewing is a quaint brew setup in an old industrial building, maybe another mechanics shop. The rustic interior is matched by its small beer garden and little brick oven pizza stand; making this a delicious stop for carbs all around. The beer at Subversive ranges the style gambit, but we really enjoyed the funkier brews on draft like the Subversive Saison; an open-fermented farmhouse.
Crossroads Brewing Company has two locations five miles apart from each other. If you plan on hitting Subversive, you might as well hit their brewhouse location in Catskill and skip the pub in Athens. Of our flight of six, there was one beer that stood out; the Imperial Black Rock Stout. Weighing in at 9%, this beast of a stout was strong, but also sweet and smooth with a really nice mouthfeel. The runner up from the flight was the New Confusion Kolsch; just a really well made, easy drinking Kolsch that brought balance to the potent Imperial Black Rock Stout. We can imagine Crossroads is probably hopping on beautiful weekends with their awesome beer garden, cornhole setup and scenic views by the river.
Across the river, and super easy to miss is Hudson Brewing Company in Hudson, NY. The brewery is located behind a massive antiques warehouse, so just follow the Beer signs and drive around back. After finding the brewery entrance, grab yourself a flight of four and enjoy the atmosphere of this local watering hole. Unsurprisingly, Melissa enjoyed the Cherry Baby fruited sour, while I surprisingly took a liking to the Viking Brown Ale. Melissa and I normally are indifferent Brown Ales, but the Viking was backed with strong Maple notes; reminiscent of our beerventure years ago up to Vermont. These two beers are certainly the must try options if available.
Take a Long Weekend
If you’re planning a trip to Albany and/or Saratoga Springs, be sure to check out our other posts to help with planning. We believe you can hit the finer points of Albany and Saratoga Springs in the course of a long weekend. As usual, these posts are not a Top-anything list as we do continue to skip other delicious breweries that we’ve already visited. We’re always free to answer questions!
Albany, NY
Troy, NY – Just across from Albany
On the way to Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs – Yes, there are real Springs
Arrowood Farms – A detour worth taking
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