People always post shit like this about coming to LA in the pac forum so I thought I'd return the favor. I'm going to Rensselaer county this weekend and then NYC for a couple days. Tell me what to do.
Rensselaer county isn't all that exciting. My advice is take the 4+ hour drive up to Waterbury and go to the Alchemist, then visit Hill Farmstead. There's more there than we have to offer in the capital region. NYC has much more to offer.
There is the Bier Abbey in Schenectady, City Beer Hall in Albany and The Ruck in Troy.. all have solid tap lists at all times. You could hit up a number of different breweries on the way down to NYC too... Crossroads, Newburgh, Peekskill, Rucking Duck, Captain Lawrence. Have a good trip!
I love these posts that are like, "HF is just a short 8 hour round trip away, just do that instead." Makes total sense. What dap said. Please note that the beer scene is going to be extra dead this weekend in the Capital District with Belgium Comes to Cooperstown happening. A lot of the beer nerds and beer bar / bottle shop staff in the area will flock to Ommegang for that.
I don't mean to be Debbie Downer, we have some good beer bars around here, but if you're here from California, it's totally worth 8 hours of your time. I've done it quite a few times. It's a beautiful ride, and totally worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I make the trip pretty often (too often). It's just crazy that there are so many threads that say "Hey I'll be in Burlington/Upstate NY/CT/Boston/Portland/etc. where should I drink?" and there's always a response to make the trip up to HF. Yes, it's totally worth it, but unless you're a single guy traveling alone with your own transportation and unlimited miles/gas, most of the time this response is not feasible.
No shit. I am absolutely not driving 8+ hours while I'm on vacation. I would drive across the boarder if I could get some heady topper but it looks like that isn't really a possibility. Is hoosick beverage better than the Bev Mart in Wynantskill? I'm taking the train to nyc so no stops in-between
Shit yeah it is. Depending on where you are in Renns Co. Oliver's Beverage in Albany might be just as close, though.
Hoosick street is great, great selection, knowledgable, friendly staff. Also worth checking out Oliver's Beverage in Albany (just across the river).
Depending we're in Renseelaer county you will be staying might not be a long trip to hop over the NY/MA border and hit up Moes Tavern in Lee Ma. Can always find a good Dog Fish on tap among a lot of other NE brews and Man of Kent in Hoosick Falls isn't that bad of a bar either. I think dap325 hit everything else that's relevant good luck Cheers.
We will be at the Lark Tavern on Thursday pouring some samples. If you can't make it, I would also agree with Ruck. Dave has a bad ass place there.
Albany to Poughkeepsie via Amtrak. Poughkeepskie to Peekskill via Metro North. Peekskill to NYC via Metro North again.
Check out Albany Pump Station http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1619 Troy Pub (Browns Brewing) http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/9558 Wolff's Biergarten http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/19562 In NYC The Ginger Man, Rattle n hum, and the Eataly brewpub are good spots. Jimmy's No 3. also just had a big Peekskill event so you get your peekskill on there.
