Albany Capital and Hudson Valley — have grown in lockstep with local farmers who are taking on the challenge of growing hops and barley or increasing their apple and fruit production , as well as agricultural scientists researching and developing hardier strains of hops and barley . Meanwhile , consumers are eager to discover what the “ terroir ” of New York would be in , say , a farmhouse ale , pear cider or orchard gin . Even barrel makers have gotten in on the act : Adirondack Barrel Cooperage , which opened in 2014 , builds American White Oak barrels in the village of Remsen , near Utica .
“ It ’ s rare when the visions of politicians and the visions of small business owners align ,” says Alejandro del Peral , founder of Nine Pin Cider in Albany , New York ’ s first cider maker to obtain a Farm Cidery license in 2013 . “ But the farm-class licenses that Governor Cuomo helped develop have been amazing for businesses that depend on New York State agriculture .” A provision allowing licensed crafters to sell beverages directly to consumers at onsite tasting rooms has not only boosted these fledgling businesses , but has helped create discerning consumers who develop an understanding of the intricacies of the brewing process .
Craft brewers are eagerly responding to the challenge . “ The
creativity of the new wave of brewers that have shown up in the past five to 10 years is amazing ,” says Bill Woodring of Tap NY , America ’ s oldest and largest one-day beer and food festival . “ The rest of the beer world may be doing similar things on a grander scale , but here in New York these folks are a step ahead of everyone else , because it ’ s handmade and homemade .”
The industry is growing at a dizzying pace . New York State now has 51 cideries , over 200 breweries , and 130 distilleries ( 21 of which are in Brooklyn ).
Eventually , the craft beverage industry will have to solve warehousing problems in order to continue its growth . Many in the industry would like to see centralized depots and silos for storing grain and other products so small-scale farmers and crafters won ’ t have to keep driving across the state to do business together . But if the craft beverage industry keeps growing , many other boats will rise on that tide — perhaps including the state ’ s green energy industry . “ A lot of the waste from the distilling process needs to be treated before it can be disposed of ,” says Erenzo . “ But there ’ s technology that can convert that waste into fuel , so someday it could do double duty .”
Find the Sherpa on Instagram : @ NewYorkSherpa
THE NEW YORK SHERPA ’ S Top Craft Brewers and Distillers
New York ’ s travel expert Josiah Brown , aka the New York Sherpa , lists some of his favorite craftbeverage makers within an easy train ride from New York City for you to enjoy .
PHOTO : COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK SHERPA |
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BREWERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Mill House Brewing Co . ( Poughkeepsie ) Millhousebrewing . com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Won “ Best Burger ” for 50 / 50 Burger
Keegan Ales ( Kingston ) Keeganales . com
From RHINECLIFF-KINGSTON Station
2009 Best Craft-Brewed Beer in New York State
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION C . H . Evans Brewing Co . ( Albany Pump Station ) Evansale . com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
The Evans family founded its first brewery in Hudson in 1786
CENTRAL NEW YORK F . X . Matt Brewing Co ./ Saranac ( Utica ) Saranac . com
From UTICA Station
Largest American-owned brewery in New York State ; hosts the annual Boilermaker Race after-party
Empire Brewing Co . ( Syracuse and Cazenovia ) Empirebrew . com
From SYRACUSE Station
East Coast ’ s largest farm brewery ; three-time Great American Beer Fest gold medal winner
CIDERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Bad Seed Cider Co . ( Highland ) Badseedhardcider . com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Unique flavors include Apple Pie Cider
Angry Orchard ( Walden ) Angryorchard . com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Global HQ of famous brand uses experimental techniques and processes to create new ciders
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION Nine Pin ( Albany ) Ninepincider . com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition gold medal winner for Catskill Thunder Cider
CENTRAL NEW YORK 1911 Ciders and Spirits ( Lafayette ) 1911established . com
From SYRACUSE Station
Bronze Great Lakes Competition winner for tart , original hard cider , aged with American Oak ; New York Food & Wine gold medal winner for 1911 Vodka , made from fermented cider triple-distilled in copper pot stills
Critz Farms Harvest Moon Cidery ( Cazenovia ) Critzbrewandcider . com
From SYRACUSE Station
Specializing in small-batch ciders and beers with ingredients from owners ’ farm
DISTILLERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Hillrock Estate Distillery ( Ancram ) Hillrockdistillery . com
From HUDSON Station
First U . S . distillery to floor-malt and handcraft whiskey
Stoutridge Winery & Distillery ( Marlboro ) Stoutridge . com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Natural processes used to make rare wines and spirits
Tuthilltown Spirits ( Gardiner ) Tuthilltown . com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Renowned for Hudson Baby Bourbon
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION Albany Distilling Co . ( Albany ) Albanydistilling . com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
Recommended : Death Wish , a coffee- and sugarcane-flavored vodka
CENTRAL NEW YORK Cooperstown Distillery ( Cooperstown ) Cooperstowndistillery . com
From UTICA Station
Recommended : Classic American Whisky , a traditional bourbon-style whiskey with hints of allspice and vanilla
Amtrak . com New York By Rail | 43