Garrison, NY (and surrounding area)

As you know from my thread, I am a total noob when it comes to Decicco's - but from what I could gather from @zid it sounds like Somers is a) new (maybe even newest) and b) one of the two flagships - so sounds like a good bet. Not sure when your trip is, but I'm moving July 11 and have the following week off, during which I'll be checking that place out as well as some of the other recs I got that overlap with this thread - so I can report back.

Just wanted to chime in on Draught Industries. I've only been once and it was a couple years ago - but I thought it was a fantastic spot. Very much a bar, although it seems they offer crowlers to go as well.

Are you hitting Suarez up?

 

Draught industries is a bar, and having gone pre COVID a good but small one. Looks like they're doing takeaway at bar prices. They have gotten some District 96 stuff there for takeaway (not sure on pricing), who are definitely quality NEIPA makers. They (D96) were doing delivery but I think only pickup now though perhaps a local person can chime in.

 

Draught Industries is fantastic, would highly recommend hitting them up, though I don't recall what the outdoor seating situation there (if any) is like should that be a concern to you.

Otherwise:

1) Obercreek is an absolute must. Some of the HV's best beers. Plenty of outdoor seating.

2) If you end up in Beacon, Beacon Pantry has some really killer sandwiches. Outdoor seating here too.

3) Cold Spring is a real cool little town near that. Plenty of good eats all over and some fantastic ice cream at Moo Moo's Creamery. Everything in CS is on the expensive side, as you'd imagine that far down in the HV.

4) Half Time Bev stinks. Overpiced as hell, staff is extremely unwelcoming and much of the stock is out of code a la Total Wine or places like that. Do not go, do not go, do not go.

5) Cable Bev is an absolute mess of a store BUT great prices and you'll assuredly find plenty of great beers to take home. It's tiny but they stock floor to ceiling so you'll absolutely come out with some hidden gems if you allow yourself the time to roam.

 

Btw @guinness77 - one other idea that fits the “good beer but also enjoyable for people that don’t care about beer” category. And I know I have plugged this place several times on here but it’s worth mentioning:

Westwind Orchard near Accord (looks to be an hour and change from Garrison). Fantastic cidery owned by an Italian guy and his American wife. Beautiful outdoor space. They make their own (hard) cider, but also have guest ciders and beers. The latter reliably includes Suarez (I think they’re friends) - right now it’s Ms Frank and Rapport. And they have an outdoor pizza oven and make proper Italian pizza using the same dough recipe as Saraghina in Brooklyn. They also have other delicious food options. It’s a very idyllic spot to hang out at, on a sunny afternoon. They have kids of their own so the place is set up with kids in mind (but in a good, tasteful, enjoyable for everyone type of way)

https://www.westwindorchard.com/new-index

 

With everything a similar distance to your spot, here's my take: Cable is a disorganized, dusty and cramped hole in the wall with a lot of personality and old beer. That sounds like a knock, but I really like the place... but it's going to be a TOTALLY different experience than DeCicco & Sons. I haven't been to the Poughkeepsie Half Time in ages, so I don't know how well it's held up over the years. Could be good, could be bad. Normally, I'd say to avoid it and go to a Deciccos unless you're interested in buying singles (which isn't your main concern here), BUT the Covid environment changes things a bit. Deciccos are a grocery stores first and foremost. You might be dealing with a line to get in. The bars in their stores are likely closed for on-premise consumption - but if they are serving during your trip, you might consider this a plus. Half Time is just a beer store (and far roomier than Cable) so it will probably provide the easiest experience. I think this gives it a certain advantage that it normally wouldn't have. On the other hand, the grocery store aspect of Deciccos gives you the convenience of throwing a pricey bag of hot dog buns in your cart on your way to the register.

Regarding the different DeCicco & Sons stores, some are bigger and grander than others, but you'll probably be fine going to any of the ones being discussed and the "best" is really just eye of the beholder. You will not have any trouble stocking up. Somers is new. You'll be fine there. Brewster and Millwood are other options. I've only been to Millwood and Somers once each, but I've been to Brewster lots of times. Brewster is great despite all the old beer. I don't remember Millwood all that much. You can pick whichever has the best route. You can also pick based on what they have on tap by checking beermenus (if up-to-date) - maybe one will have something you'll want a crowler of. You won't find any deals at them.

Having said that, here's one other thought: None of these places are exactly close. If you are interested in taking a half hour drive to check out a beer store with an interesting selection, then go for it. An alternative is to keep your expectations simple, go to a place without a reputation close by and instead of stocking up for the week, just stock up for the few days you have before hitting Industrial Arts. You can stock up for the remainder of the trip at Industrial Arts. This assumes that IA is a definite stop and that they currently have enough canned beer there for this. I don't know what it's like there.

 

A lot of the eateries on main street beacon have outdoor seating in the actual street. Some people have expressed concern about this as the only thing protecting patrons inattentive drivers is a bunch of traffic cones.

That being said, Draught is really nice. The owners of Draught and D96 are cousins, so that's probably why they get D96 cans every so often.

@guinness77 if you make your way up to Obercreek and want some Suarez cans, I can hook you up.

 

I think you'll be just fine with DeCicco's. They'll have anything new that Cable would, the only benefit to Cable is finding some dusty old gems and maybe being a bit cheaper, but not enough to negate the extra travel.

 

I've been to IA a bunch and they always have a ton of beer to go. COVID pickups/deliveries could have changed that, I guess, so I'd probably reach out and see before going if lack of options is a concern.

 

Bev Plus 2 is great. Check his beermenus. He's a bit pricey, but he has a great selection. Make sure you check dates on hops.

If you make it to Warwick and have time for lunch, check out Eddie's Roadhouse right up the road. They usually have a nice taplist.

 

FWIW Chuck, if you're going to Warwick via Rt. 17 and Sugar Loaf, Rushing Duck is literally off of the same exit 127 ( albeit in the other direction).

 

I have no clue which direction you're coming from, but from Warwick to Somers. Those two places are each 40-50 minutes in opposite directions from Garrison.
It also sounds like you're going to these places with the express purpose of take out, so that will change some things.

Otherwise, I'd really echo @zid and keep it simple. Get your lagers and cream ale from IA, the French press stout from Obercreek. At that point its only 15 minutes to Halftime vs. 25-30 minutes to the closest deciccos in brewster. The prices are pretty similar imho and there's good beer to be had there.

Regardless of where you go, be on the lookout for OEC lagers. I just had their Triskel and it was up there with Suarez. Any of their Coolship varieties are worth grabbing.

Halftime is also close to Zeus Brewing in Poughkeepsie. I've heard good things and seen it on tap locally. Anyone have an opinion on them? I'm actually curious for myself.

 

From where you are you can easily run to Drowned Lands, Tin Barn and Rushing Duck for cans. I did it a few weeks ago while visiting family and it was a very quick 1-2-3 trip. Sloop is very close to Garrison and they have brewery only stuff that’s very tasty.

 

Not sure if this is too late, but if you do cross the river and go to Cable you can stop in to IA's first brewery, very nearby, and District 96 Brewery, also nearby. Not sure what's available or what kind of service is offered now, been out of the loop almost for a year, but those are all worth a visit IMO