Albany Capital and Hudson Valley— have grown in lockstep with local farmers who are taking on the challenge of growing hops and barley or increasing their apple and fruit production, as well as agricultural scientists researching and developing hardier strains of hops and barley. Meanwhile, consumers are eager to discover what the“ terroir” of New York would be in, say, a farmhouse ale, pear cider or orchard gin. Even barrel makers have gotten in on the act: Adirondack Barrel Cooperage, which opened in 2014, builds American White Oak barrels in the village of Remsen, near Utica.
“ It’ s rare when the visions of politicians and the visions of small business owners align,” says Alejandro del Peral, founder of Nine Pin Cider in Albany, New York’ s first cider maker to obtain a Farm Cidery license in 2013.“ But the farm-class licenses that Governor Cuomo helped develop have been amazing for businesses that depend on New York State agriculture.” A provision allowing licensed crafters to sell beverages directly to consumers at onsite tasting rooms has not only boosted these fledgling businesses, but has helped create discerning consumers who develop an understanding of the intricacies of the brewing process.
Craft brewers are eagerly responding to the challenge.“ The
creativity of the new wave of brewers that have shown up in the past five to 10 years is amazing,” says Bill Woodring of Tap NY, America’ s oldest and largest one-day beer and food festival.“ The rest of the beer world may be doing similar things on a grander scale, but here in New York these folks are a step ahead of everyone else, because it’ s handmade and homemade.”
The industry is growing at a dizzying pace. New York State now has 51 cideries, over 200 breweries, and 130 distilleries( 21 of which are in Brooklyn).
Eventually, the craft beverage industry will have to solve warehousing problems in order to continue its growth. Many in the industry would like to see centralized depots and silos for storing grain and other products so small-scale farmers and crafters won’ t have to keep driving across the state to do business together. But if the craft beverage industry keeps growing, many other boats will rise on that tide— perhaps including the state’ s green energy industry.“ A lot of the waste from the distilling process needs to be treated before it can be disposed of,” says Erenzo.“ But there’ s technology that can convert that waste into fuel, so someday it could do double duty.”
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THE NEW YORK SHERPA’ S Top Craft Brewers and Distillers
New York’ s travel expert Josiah Brown, aka the New York Sherpa, lists some of his favorite craftbeverage makers within an easy train ride from New York City for you to enjoy.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK SHERPA |
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BREWERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Mill House Brewing Co.( Poughkeepsie) Millhousebrewing. com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Won“ Best Burger” for 50 / 50 Burger
Keegan Ales( Kingston) Keeganales. com
From RHINECLIFF-KINGSTON Station
2009 Best Craft-Brewed Beer in New York State
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION C. H. Evans Brewing Co.( Albany Pump Station) Evansale. com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
The Evans family founded its first brewery in Hudson in 1786
CENTRAL NEW YORK F. X. Matt Brewing Co./ Saranac( Utica) Saranac. com
From UTICA Station
Largest American-owned brewery in New York State; hosts the annual Boilermaker Race after-party
Empire Brewing Co.( Syracuse and Cazenovia) Empirebrew. com
From SYRACUSE Station
East Coast’ s largest farm brewery; three-time Great American Beer Fest gold medal winner
CIDERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Bad Seed Cider Co.( Highland) Badseedhardcider. com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Unique flavors include Apple Pie Cider
Angry Orchard( Walden) Angryorchard. com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Global HQ of famous brand uses experimental techniques and processes to create new ciders
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION Nine Pin( Albany) Ninepincider. com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition gold medal winner for Catskill Thunder Cider
CENTRAL NEW YORK 1911 Ciders and Spirits( Lafayette) 1911established. com
From SYRACUSE Station
Bronze Great Lakes Competition winner for tart, original hard cider, aged with American Oak; New York Food & Wine gold medal winner for 1911 Vodka, made from fermented cider triple-distilled in copper pot stills
Critz Farms Harvest Moon Cidery( Cazenovia) Critzbrewandcider. com
From SYRACUSE Station
Specializing in small-batch ciders and beers with ingredients from owners’ farm
DISTILLERIES
HUDSON VALLEY Hillrock Estate Distillery( Ancram) Hillrockdistillery. com
From HUDSON Station
First U. S. distillery to floor-malt and handcraft whiskey
Stoutridge Winery & Distillery( Marlboro) Stoutridge. com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Natural processes used to make rare wines and spirits
Tuthilltown Spirits( Gardiner) Tuthilltown. com
From POUGHKEEPSIE Station
Renowned for Hudson Baby Bourbon
ALBANY / CAPITAL REGION Albany Distilling Co.( Albany) Albanydistilling. com
From ALBANY-RENSSELAER Station
Recommended: Death Wish, a coffee- and sugarcane-flavored vodka
CENTRAL NEW YORK Cooperstown Distillery( Cooperstown) Cooperstowndistillery. com
From UTICA Station
Recommended: Classic American Whisky, a traditional bourbon-style whiskey with hints of allspice and vanilla
Amtrak. com New York By Rail | 43