If you’re a craft beverage enthusiast, then the Hudson Valley is a must-visit destination. With a surge in craft breweries and distilleries, the area has become a haven for beer and spirits lovers. Upper Depot Brewing Co is the newest addition to Hudson’s craft brewery scene, located in a historic train station and boasting eight freshly brewed beers on tap. Meanwhile, the Last Whisky Bar in Warwick brings bottle service to the masses and offers a selection of around 40 premium Kentucky bourbons, as well as live music on weekends. For those seeking a taste of true craftsmanship, Union Grove Distillery in Arkville is a must-visit destination, crafting small-batch spirits using locally sourced ingredients. And for those looking for a tiki-inspired experience, Jet Set in Newburgh offers fruit-forward craft cocktails and Asian fare on the waterfront.
Upper Depot Brewing Co | Hudson
For being the proverbial it-town of the Hudson Valley, Hudson has lagged in the region’s craft brewery trend. But at the end of 2022, the city got its second brewery when Upper Depot opened in a historic circa-1871 train station. Raised in nearby Stuyvesant Falls, friends and co-owners Montgomery Bopp and Aaron Maas pitched the building’s owners on the brewery concept back in 2019. It’s been a long road with plenty of bumps, but in late December the brewery opened its doors with eight freshly brewed beers on tap inside the industrial-chic space. Skipping the headache of an onsite kitchen, the team has opted to tap into the local circuit of food truck operators, with the Irish fare of Whale Belly as a regular fixture.
Last Whisky Bar | Warwick
We admittedly missed the scoop on this one. So, instead, join us in congratulating Warwick’s Last Whisky Bar on its first anniversary. This speakeasy brings bottle service to the masses: a noble mission. Head there with friends, a date, or on your own to purchase a bottle of their top-shelf liquor selection, Wild West-style. You can request your spirit to be served neat, on the rocks, mixed into a cocktail, sent to the cutie at the next table, or whatever floats your boat. If you haven’t cleaned up shop by the time the night is through, you can stash your bottle behind the bar till next time. There are around 40 premium Kentucky bourbons to choose from, as well as an array of other spirits by the bottle, flight, or cocktail; wine; and beer. On weekends, the bar also dishes up live local music acts.
West Kill Supply | Kingston
The Kingston satellite location of the Spruceton Valley brewery opened last fall across the street from the historic Ulster Performing Arts Center in the city center. The design of the taproom evokes the woodsy, rustic charm of early 20th-century Catskill boarding houses. There are 14 draft lines serving West Kill beers as well as a selection of New York State ciders and wine. There’s a backyard beer garden, and Kingston Bread + Bar’s food truck dishes up falafel and chicken shawarma on fresh-made bread, plus and fries and other goodies on weekends.
Jet Set | Newburgh
The murky depths of the Hudson may not be the turquoise lagoons of the South Pacific, but this meandering body of water is a roving focal point of relaxation and recreation in the region. Enter Jet Set, a new tiki bar on Newburgh’s waterfront, offers a vacation from the mundane with fruit-forward craft cocktails and Asian fare in a space inspired by Midcentury Modern tiki culture. (Look for the airplane fuselage!) The cocktail list spans tiki classics like the Mai Tai ($13), the Zombie ($19), Painkiller ($15), and fishbowl punches for sharing. The menu was designed to be a hearty companion to the fruity, boozy cocktails with a good amount of fried stuff to offset the tartness of the drinks, with plenty of fresh, quick, pan-cooked vegetables. Think of it as elevated bar food with a tiki twist. For starters wok-fried Brussel sprouts ($12), smashed cucumber salad ($7), or poke nachos ($16) and then move on to grilled items like a chili chicken burger ($14) or grilled miso eggplant ($12).
Big Dogs Brewery | Walden
The Brewery at Orange County Hops has gotten a new name and a new music-infused identity. Under Tim TJ Santiago and Melissa Raap, Big Dogs Brewery, which opened in early February, continues to serve up craft brews plus a stacked lineup of live bands every weekend, New York spirits, wine, cider, and hot coffee. Big Dogs offers a laid-back experience in a rustic environment, with wood-paneled walls, exposed joists, and a concrete floor. On select days, Sully on the Street food truck parks in the lot to dish up tasty sandwiches.
Union Grove Distillery | Arkville
Nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, Union Grove Distillery in Arkville is a destination for spirits enthusiasts seeking a taste of true craftsmanship. This award-winning distillery has been crafting premium small-batch spirits since 2016, including their signature Vly Creek Vodka and FirGin, distilled with local Balsam fir and Norway Spruce trees. But Union Grove Distillery isn’t just a place for a sip of spirits; it’s also a place to indulge in delicious eats. Their tasting room offers a variety of delicious food offerings to pair perfectly with their handcrafted cocktails, such as their charcuterie board featuring locally sourced meats and cheeses or their savory empanadas made from scratch. The distillery itself is housed in a beautifully restored barn, complete with a tasting room and outdoor patio with stunning mountain views.
Return Brewing | Hudson
For Mikey Lenane and two of his cofounders, brewer J. D. Linderman and head of creative Jack Liakas, Return Brewing was the logical next step in their combined two decades of brewing experience. Champing at the bit, the partners started brewing at Crossroads in Catskill in 2021 before opening their own facility and taproom in Hudson was ready. Their beers, already well known at local bars and restaurants, use a mixture of local ingredients and internationally sourced hops to craft Eastern European-inspired brews like Baltic porters, kolschs, and dark lagers.
