Although some cling onto summer with nostalgia, others welcome fall with a sense of unparalleled excitement. Aside from the sudden crisp air and the inaugural knit scarves, one of the most anticipated fall pleasures is the release of limited time fall flavors.
Pumpkin spice, golden delicious, cinnamon strong, autumn maple – in Westchester, New York, this smorgasbord of flavors refers to one thing: craft beer. If you’ve never heard of Westchester, it’s the Hudson Valley town that has taken the New York craft beer scene by storm. Only an hour north of the city, it’s become a mini beer mecca and a welcome escape for discovering thriving breweries that keep their taps in constant rotation.
Our Top Picks for Westchester Craft Breweries
With so many breweries to choose from it’s easy to get lost in the buzz. That’s why we’ve done the homework for you. If you’re ready to take your beer tasting adventures to the next level, put these at the top of your list:
Broken Bow Brewery
Broken Bow’s tap list features classics, seasonals, and specialties, so you know there’s something for everyone. Their “grain to glass” philosophy ensures you are getting the maximum flavor in every sip. Did we mention they have an outdoor beer garden? That, along with theiraward-winning reputation, puts Broken Bow at the top of our list.
Yonkers Brewing Company
Old meets new at the Yonkers Brewing Company. Situated in an old trolley garage Yonkers definitely plays up its historic charm, but don’t get the wrong impression, they are hardly stuck in the past. With 11 beers on tap, their current selection ranges from an Extra Special Bitter (ESB) to a Blood Orange Gose. We recommend their Happy Mishap Grapefruit Session if you want something refreshing. Feeling hungry? Yonkers boasts a full brunch and dinner menu, so it’s the perfect spot to have that mid-beer pick me up. Nutella french toast here we come!
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Behind the helm of Captain Lawrence Brewing Company is Scott Vaccaro. Not only did he start making beer at the ripe age of 17, but he went on to get his degree in fermentation science. Needless to say, he has a lot of experience under his belt, and with 24 taps constantly changing in his tasting room he’s not stopping anytime soon. We could easily spend a day lounging at Captain Lawrence’s 30ft wooden bar, but if you don’t have all day we suggest getting a pint of one of their barrel brewed concoctions.
Half Full Brewery
With pop up beer gardens, philanthropic initiatives, and food truck Fridays, Half Full is more than just a brewery. The founder was a former wall street professional turned beer enthusiast after a life-changing trip around the world, and if his story doesn’t inspire you, his beer will. With names like Liquid Hoptimism, Celebrate Everything, and Bee Enlightened you’ll come out of Half Full feeling a new sense of gratitude. I mean who wouldn’t want to drink something called Liquid Hoptimism?
Need a Place to Stay?
After a day of brewery exploration, it’s important to find the right place to unwind. Luckily Westchester is also home to the Doral Arrowwood, the perfect home base for your weekend retreat. Surrounded by 114 acres of beautiful landscape, this luxury resort has a rustic pub equipped with a cozy fireplace nook and a golf course that has been rated one of the most difficult in the country, making it the perfect blend of entertainment and R&R.
With all the beer you could ever want, a relaxing atmosphere and an autumn landscape that will put your Instagram feed to shame, Westchester is the perfect place to make your next fall getaway.
