Heading to Albany NY

You pretty much nailed all that I used to recommend when I lived up that way. Olivers and Westmere are sister companies, so the selection is pretty much the same. I'd go to whichever is closer or has something you desire on tap for fills.

 

If you're there for an extended stay, you can take a drive 15 minutes up to Troy and spend a night hitting up The Ruck, Rare Form, and The Shop.

 

FYI, the Beer Belly has been rebranded as "Albany Ale & Oyster" due to a lawsuit. But yes, highly recommended.
The hot Grimm releases don't last long AFAIK, but I also don't actively seek them out.
I live in a town called Delmar not far from Albany, and we have a 1-man brewery called Real McCoy. Only open for a couple hours early on saturdays; super nice guy.

 

Okay as far as in Albany

Bottle shops:
- Westmere for sure, ask the employees for some recommendations. They all know their stuff and the selection is incredible.
- Olivers is worth a stop too. Sister store to Westmere as was mentioned.
- Brew on Lark St. Very small shop but a great selection and a TON of awesome cans in the cooler.


Bars:
- Ale & Oyster on New Scotland probably has the best tap list in the area, knowledgeable bartenders, great food and a small but well-curated bottle shop in the front.
- Madison Pourhouse, owned by the same people as A&O, also great food, close to 40 beers on tap.
- City Beer Hall has a great selection, killer food and you get a free personal pizza with any beer. Also has TVs if you're trying to watch any games.
- The Ruck in Troy. Great taplist, get the wings and play some Big Buck Hunter.
- Mohawk Taproom in Scotia. A bit out of the way but worth the trip. About 20 great taps, cheapest prices you'll find around here and a real relaxed vibe.
- Henry St. Taproom in Saratoga. I know this is a recurring theme, but awesome taplist, great, great food and a chill environment. Also a great whiskey selection if you're into that. Bartenders are extremely knowledgeable.
- Excelsior Pub in Albany. Real under-the-radar spot. All NYS beers on tap, all NYS foods (beef on weck, garbage plate, wings, coney dogs, chicken spedies, etc) and a real cozy set-up.

Breweries:
- Rare Form in Troy. Legit a stone's throw from The Ruck (and The Shop is a great bar right around the corner too) usually eight of their beers on tap. Good variance of styles, extremely well-made stuff. Definitely get Earth to Troy if they have it.
- C.H. Evans/Pump Station. These guys are making some great beers in the last couple years. Right in downtown Albany on Broadway.
- Nine Pin Cidery. About a mile down the road from Pump Station, just redid their entire taproom and it's gorgeous. Great ciders of their own AND they now have eight beer taps all from NY breweries.
- Brown's in Troy. Very close to Ruck/Rare Form, doing awesome things with sours and hoppy styles lately. Haven't eaten there since before they changed their menu though so I can't comment on that.
- Common Roots in South Glens Falls. If you make it nowhere else, you need to make it here. Killer, killer IPAs, great sours, great stouts and a few other interesting styles too. Flights of four beers are only $5 and the owners are usually there and awesome to talk to. May have crowlers and bottles available to take home as well.

 

IPAs? Yes. Other bottles? No. A lot of places here still have Kinetic Cloud and that dropped like 3-4 weeks ago.