Plan Bee Farm Brewery

Send me a message when you guys are situated, hopefully we can meet up sometime!

 

Glad to see this thread pop back up to the top of the list. Plan Bee is probably the most underappreciated brewery in the Hudson Valley. It's my favorite place to hang out at and the beer is phenomenal and creative across the board.

 

Agreed. We were there a few weeks ago with our 2 year old. He made quick friends with some other kids while the adults just hung out. The weather was great.

I'm not super into wild ales, so I appreciate that they always seem to have a lager on tap. My wife LOVES their stuff though. I think she made it her personal mission that day to try and kill their pickle keg.

I definitely like the vibe up at Plan Bee over some of the bigger spots.

 

I've only seen their stuff at one beer store in Middlesex county (shout out to the team at Jersey Fine Wines in East brunswick). It is outrageously expensive and usually my position is that beer in that price range ($12-$14 for at 375mm!!!!) is not worth it given the abundance of good beer nowadays. However, Plan Bee executes so well and does styles that are difficult to master. Well worth the money. Bravo

 

Agreed that the price per bottle is a lot, but they are doing everything the "right" way in my opinion which justifies the cost. They grow a majority of their ingredients or use local NY state ingredients, focus on terroir and sustainability, stay away from hype marketing etc. Not to mention that the beer is phenomenal and their house profile is one of the most distinct I've ever had. Plus, visiting the brewery is just so much fun every time. Super relaxing atmosphere and great staff. I'm happy to support a business like this even if I wince a little when I look at my tab.

 

I actually find the Barn Beer to be a tremendous value at $8 a bottle, and pick some up whenever I can. That's the only one I come across, however.

 

Where are you in NJ? Their bottles have been getting decent distribution at stores in North Jersey recently.

 

Pretty far north- I'm up by Alpine. I can get the Barn Beer in Dumont and Fort Lee ever since my local Gary's stopped carrying it. I'll have to ask about the others the next time I'm talking with the beer guys. Thanks.

 

Barn beer I've seen is more like $12+ down in Central NJ.

 

That’s a great price. It was $7 a bottle at the brewery, $24 for 4 and $70 for a case. Should’ve got the case

 

Yeah, that puts it in a different price category for me too. I'd definitely buy it, but not as frequently.

 

Acidic, and vinegary with grainy, metallic touch ups. Yet, the concentrated drive prompted another thread revival

While the tannic assault is at play, the aroma is a quite boastful of assorted berries, wild currants, and tart nectars: A wild fruit sensation of saturated oaked, whiskey vessels. The acerbic element can’t be forgotten, but is more docile in the face of progression, as layers cultivate the vinous/red wine landscape via grapes, green apple skins, kiwi, and Syrian pears. More importantly is the rustic, hay, honey bee sensation that circumferences the palate, and headlocks the feel. BUT, in levelheadedly fashion

Sharply acidic upfront, with metallic sightings in curtail, but a clean funk, and a thought-provoking endeavor with musty, woody, horseblanket perceptions




...Looking forward to May-Weed

 

Wait, so that means you liked it, right?

May-weed I got to try at the brewery a little while ago. If I had your way with words I’d say a lot more about it, but it was really delicious (though admittedly I haven’t met a Plan Bee beer I didn’t like). I think you’ll dig it.

 

Certainly looking forward to it, so that perceptive is much appreciated + need to check out Evans revamped Plan A, as it unites with Plan Bee = A multitalented intellect

 

Barn Beer is $7.99 at Gary's in Wayne. They usually have one or two others at a higher price point.

 

Finally made a stop at Plan Bee this weekend. Recent posts in this thread prompted the visit (thanks all). Wonderful spot to have a beer. Love the focus on local ingredients and wild yeast. Their beers all had a "sense of place" that I appreciated. I've always been a little hesitant to by their beers at retail but will definitely be stopping by brewery again. Barn Beer, May-Weed, and Rose Hill were the standouts.

Anyone have experience sitting on Barn Beer for 6-12 months? I'm curious how it develops over time. Was tempted to get a case but it's not a beer I'd get through very quickly.

 

I'm wondering the same. I'm sure they age beautifully but I always like to try beers fresh just so you have that perspective as to what the beer is "supposed" to taste like and to ID any changes from cellaring.

A lot of their bottles are waxed and capped (Bloody, Precious, etc) so I'm presuming they're packaged with cellaring in mind.

 

So I'm not really a fan of sour beers, even if they're only mildly sour. But their listing shows a bunch of saisons, which I usually like a lot. Are these saisons slightly sour or tart? Thinking about visiting but ...

 

It’s tough to say, since sour/tart tolerance is so variable depending on who you’re talking to. To an average beer drinker I’d say yeah, kinda sour. I’d say slightly tart but by no means “sour”. For most of their beers I’ve had there’s enough funkiness to offset any sour aspect IMO. There’s usually so much going on flavor-wise that saying “sour” or “tart” is just way too one-dimensional to surmise their qualities.

Have you had Suarez saisons? If you like those then you'll definitely like these. They also do some lagers on occasion, too (on-tap only). It’s such a beautiful brewery; I’d recommend it to any person who enjoys well-made beer regardless of style preferences.