Explore award-winning Hudson Valley venues with “Craft-Your-Own” craft beverage excursions.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (September 18, 2019) – The Hudson Valley has established itself as the craft beverage epicenter of New York State, and Orange County is at the center of it all. In addition to such renowned brands as Angry Orchard and Brotherhood – America’s Oldest Winery – dozens of craft breweries, cideries and wineries offer special tasting experiences throughout the Orange County countryside. Seasonal events at the tasting rooms located at scenic orchards, pastoral farms and repurposed downtown buildings showcase fun and local flavor. Craft beverage newcomers and the most discerning sippers will find the perfect pour in Orange County this fall.
“Especially at this time of year, as the foliage takes center stage, our breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries are great spots to unwind, take in the scenery and savor life,” said Orange County Tourism Director Amanda Dana. “Appreciate the attention to detail. Taste the craft in every sip.”
Plan your craft beverage tasting adventures by downloading the ‘OCNY Craft Beverage Tour’ app, available for free from the iTunes and Google Play stores. The app makes it easy for iPhone and Android users to create their own craft beverage trails through Orange County, choose ride options and locate convenient lodging.
Some of the county’s most popular craft beverage locations include:
Angry Orchard, 2241 Albany Post Road, Walden: Surrounded by 60 acres of apple trees, take a self-guided tour of Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House and sample exclusive ciders only available at the orchard. Visit the legendary treehouse tasting room or take a guided tour of the Barrel Room for a behind-the-scenes exploration. The outdoor Cider Garden offers a relaxing fireplace, lawn games and a variety of ciders. Visit angryorchard.com for more information.
Clemson Brewing Company, 22 Cottage Street, Middletown: Housed in an updated turn-of-the-century hacksaw blade factory in Middletown’s former railroad district, Clemson Brothers Brewery celebrates the history of craft trades and craftsman in America. Both the 7000 square foot indoor space and 7500 square foot outdoor beer garden are bubbling with equal parts industrial chic and blue-collar aesthetic. A rotating menu of more than 16 specialty craft beers means there is a brew for every palette. You can also eat all day long, from Clemson’s extensive lunch and dinner menus. Clemson Brothers is open Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. Visit them online for beer descriptions and more, at clemsonbrewing.com.
Newburgh Brewing Company, 88 Colden Street, Newburgh: “Brewed with heart in Newburgh,” is the slogan of this brewery, which is among Orange County’s earliest craft beer producers. Its riverside taproom – reminiscent of a Bavarian beer hall, if a Bavarian beer hall had indoor corn hole and art installations – offers gorgeous views of the Hudson. Their brews range from the traditional to the adventurous, including their Newburgh Cream and Brown Ales, the very “hopular” Boss series IPAs, and their recent Café Sour infused with Ethiopian The food they serve up is top shelf pub grub perfect for pairing with any pint. Newburgh Brewing is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For operating hours, and to learn more about their beers, visit newburghbrewing.com.
Rushing Duck Brewing Company, 1 Battiato Lane: This small, family-owned and operated brewery has been a craft beer lover’s haven in Chester’s historic district since 2012. They brew beers they like to drink and hope you will like them, too. Their menu of signature and seasonal brews includes varieties from hoppy to malty, American-styled and Belgian-influenced, barrel aged, sours and more. The breweries can releases have become mark-your-calendar events for beer enthusiasts. Their two taprooms – the Duck In and the Duck Out – are just blocks away from one another in Chester, and offer welcoming, low-key vibes that come off as effortless as they are cool. Visit rushingduck.com for tap room hours and more information.
Applewood Winery & Naked Flock Cider, 82 Four Corners Rd., Warwick: Applewood Winery sources the ingredients for its wines, ciders and spirits from its own vineyards and orchards, and from farms across the state. Along with notable barrel-fermented reds and crisp, steel-aged whites, Applewood has also become known for its award-winning Naked Flock Hard Cider. Stop by and join the flock, and don’t miss out on their “limited edition” batches for sale only in their tasting room. Open daily, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. through October. Visit applewoodwinery.com for more information.
The perfect way to wrap up a day of sipping and sampling is with an overnight stay at one of Orange County’s select hotels or charming B&Bs. The Orange County Tourism staff recommends visiting www.OrangeTourism.org for a full list of lodging, activities, and attractions. Orange County Tourism’s Facebook page also highlights special events available to visitors.
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Sleep in an architecturally significant B&B, or book a room at a nationally known hotel. Casual travelers as well as visitors looking for luxury will find a wide range of properties to consider. There are lodging options for everyone – Try our user-friendly lodging search below and come stay with us in Orange County, NY.
