Every Brewery, Cidery & Meadery in the Capital Region

Fidens Brewing Company

Ranked 9th in the United States on Untappd with nearly 400,000 check-ins, Fidens has quickly become a national destination since founders Steve Parker and Tim Pierce opened their doors in 2019. The 11,000-square-foot Warehouse District taproom features 30 draft lines, wood accents, and a full scratch kitchen run by Chef Josh Herring. Fidens is celebrated for meticulously crafted hazy IPAs that balance bold hop flavors with a purposefully dry finish, and they regularly receive exclusive early access to new hop varieties from top suppliers. Their can releases draw dedicated fans from across the Northeast, and collaborations with elite breweries like Other Half, Trillium, and Omnipollo keep the excitement constant.

Nine Pin Cider Works

New York State's first licensed farm cidery, Nine Pin was founded by Alejandro del Peral in 2014 in Albany's Warehouse District. Every cider is handcrafted in small batches using fresh-pressed New York apples (never concentrate) sourced from local farms like Samascott Orchards and Five Branches. Founder Alejandro earned a gold medal at the Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition before the cidery even opened its doors, and the tasting room now produces hundreds of unique varieties each year. The Signature off-dry sparkling cider has become a Capital Region staple, with distribution spanning New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Fort Orange Brewing

Launched in 2017 by John Westcott, Jim Eaton, and Craig Johnson, Fort Orange operates the largest taproom in Albany at 2,500 square feet with seating for 125 inside and 40 on the patio. The family-friendly, dog-friendly space on North Pearl Street regularly hosts cornhole leagues, trivia nights, yoga-with-a-pint sessions, bingo, and comedy shows. Their rotating tap list leans toward hoppy styles like the popular Nipper IPA, alongside classics like the Pullman Porter and The General blonde ale. Food trucks frequent the brewery on weekends, and outside food is always welcome.

Druthers Brewing Company

A Capital Region institution since opening in Saratoga Springs in 2012, Druthers now operates six locations across upstate New York, including their 17,000-square-foot Albany production facility on Broadway, plus taprooms in Schenectady and Clifton Park. Their Dare gose earned a Gold Medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup, and the 80 Schilling Scottish-style ale followed with Silver in 2016. The full-service kitchen rotates its menu four times per year, featuring elevated comfort food like burgers, mac and cheese, pizzas, and tacos. Reservations, takeout, and delivery are all available.

Common Roots Albany Outpost

Common Roots Brewing expanded into Albany in 2023, taking over the historic space at Quackenbush Square formerly home to the legendary C.H. Evans Brewing Company (which traced its roots back to 1786). The Albany Outpost features 24 rotating draft lines pouring everything from flagship IPAs to wild-fermented ales aged in oak, alongside a locally sourced scratch kitchen serving elevated sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. This is the urban sibling to Common Roots' flagship location in South Glens Falls, bringing the same community-driven, sustainability-focused ethos to the heart of downtown Albany.

Lionheart Pub and Brewery

One of Albany's longest-running pubs, Lionheart has been a neighborhood gathering place since 1992. The Broadway location in the Warehouse District features 45 craft beers on tap alongside house-brewed selections ranging from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts. The outdoor green space offers Adirondack chairs, cornhole, and multiple TVs for game days, while the schedule is packed with dart leagues, trivia nights, and live music. A second location on Madison Avenue rounds out the Lionheart experience with pool tables and dart boards.

The Bull and Bee Meadery

Albany's first and only meadery opened in May 2021, founded by William "Tragedy" Yager and inspired by his family's heritage of crafting Dragon's Blood mead. Master Mazer Ray Mazzola oversees production of 10 to 12 different meads, including the cult-favorite Genesis, while the tasting room also pours 12 New York craft beers on tap and a curated selection of local spirits and wines. Located just two blocks from MVP Arena, The Bull and Bee has become a popular pregame destination, and the striking 30-foot minotaur mural on the building's exterior (by local artist Samson Contompasis) makes it impossible to miss. Their Labyrinth Mead Club membership offers monthly new releases and exclusive tastings.

Perfect World Brewing

A family-owned 7-barrel craft brewery founded by Pat and Jeff Barnes in 2014, Perfect World puts quality and community above everything else. Their industrial space on Broadway (near the Menands border) is open Saturdays only for can sales and tastings, creating an intimate, come-as-you-are atmosphere where you can swap brewing stories directly with the owners. The Too Much Coffee Porter, an 8% ABV Baltic porter that is a father-son collaboration, showcases their attention to detail, with coffee added post-carbonation to preserve the full aroma. Complimentary pretzels and nuts are provided with every visit.

Fallside Brewing

Formerly known as Bye-i Brewing, Fallside rebranded and relocated to a larger warehouse space on Saratoga Street in Cohoes. The brewery focuses on craft beers fused with locally sourced ingredients, with many brews named after parks and attractions in Cohoes (like the Berkeley Blonde Ale and Lansing Lager). The expanded space includes a full kitchen, big-screen TVs for sports, live entertainment, and a dedicated back room that hosts a popular shuffleboard league drawing 40 to 60 players on Wednesday nights. The dog-friendly warehouse atmosphere makes it a welcoming spot for an afternoon or evening out.

Frog Alley Brewing

The first brewery of its scale in the Schenectady area, Frog Alley opened in 2018 inside the massive Mill Artisan District complex downtown. Named after a 1903 local baseball team, the brewery has produced more than 100 different beers and typically pours 15 to 20 on tap at any given time. Their Mango Slushy Sour earned Gold at Tap NY in 2022, and the Skull Frog DIPA claimed Gold in 2021. Lily P's Wood Fired Pizza operates inside the taproom serving appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and more, and the professional concert stage hosts a Summer Concert Series that transforms the venue into an outdoor music destination.

Seven Points Brewing

Occupying the historic Van Dyck building in the Stockade District, Seven Points is owned and operated alongside Stella Pasta Bar and Bistro in the space formerly home to Mad Jack Brewing. The brewery has quickly built an impressive portfolio of over 60 beers, with highlights like the Bulleit Proof Russian Imperial Stout (rated 4.30 on Untappd) and the elegant Prima Vista Italian Pilsner brewed with three German noble hop varieties. Full Italian-inspired dining from Stella is available right alongside your flight, creating a rare brewery-meets-fine-dining experience. The building's Van Dyck Music Club continues its long tradition as one of the region's premier live music venues.

Wolf Hollow Brewing Company

Wolf Hollow is built around community, with beers distributed across more than 100 local businesses in addition to their own tasting room on Amsterdam Road. Their Brunette's Revenge blonde ale earned a Silver Medal at the NYS Craft Beer Competition, establishing the brewery's reputation for quality. The taproom has an eclectic, slightly alternative personality, hosting everything from trivia and bingo nights to metal-themed events and puzzle competitions. Food trucks rotate through regularly, and the five-day-a-week schedule (Wednesday through Sunday) makes it an accessible neighborhood hangout.

Back Barn Brewing Company

Set in beautifully restored barns along the historic Western Turnpike in Delanson, Back Barn is a New York State farm brewery that runs entirely on solar power. Their 7-barrel system has produced over 80 styles of beer, from the Munich Summer Hefeweizen to the bold Peno Pils (a Czech-style pilsner dry-hopped with jalapeno) and the Five Bees Belgian Blonde brewed with New York honey. The rustic countryside setting offers a genuine escape from the city, and the cozy pub sits right next to the working brewhouse where you can watch the brewing process up close. Back Barn is also a certified MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise).

Brown's Brewing Company

One of the Capital Region's pioneering craft breweries, Brown's was founded in 1993 by Garry and Kelly Brown in a renovated 175-year-old warehouse on River Street in Troy. Their Oatmeal Stout won Gold at the 2004 World Beer Cup, and the accolades have kept coming: Best Beer in the Hudson Valley at Tap NY 2014 and Gold for the Me & You Raspberry Sour at Tap NY 2023. Both the Troy taproom and the Walloomsac Taproom in North Hoosick serve food prepared fresh from scratch in full kitchens. After more than three decades, Brown's remains fiercely independent and family-owned, brewing under the motto "think independently, drink independently."

Rare Form Brewing Company

Rare Form closed its Congress Street taproom in April 2025 and is actively searching for a new location. Their brand and beers remain active.

Founded in 2014 by Kevin Mullen and his wife Jen, Rare Form became one of Troy's most beloved cultural institutions over its decade-long run, blending craft beer with live music, fine art, and a monthly "Shakes-beer" public Shakespeare reading series. The brewery produced over 228 unique beers, including the signature Troy Division NEIPA and the Royal Coconut Cream Ale aged on locally toasted coconut. Their Congress Street taproom was known for its 1970s ski-lodge aesthetic and post-punk soundtrack, and the iconic vintage touring van became a recognizable symbol of the brand. Keep an eye out for their next chapter as they search for a new home in the Capital Region.

Emporium Farm Brewery

A unique multi-category destination in Rensselaer, Emporium holds New York State licenses as a Farm Brewery, Cidery, Meadery, and Winery all under one roof. Their 12-tap system focuses on fine British-style beers like ESBs, oatmeal stouts, and English IPAs, alongside guest taps from New York cideries and wineries. The adjacent Homebrew Emporium supply shop makes this a magnet for homebrewing enthusiasts, and the knowledgeable staff are happy to taste and critique your homemade creations. With $7 pints and a warm atmosphere, it is one of the most approachable taprooms in the region.

Artisanal Brew Works

Founded in 2016 by two local high school teachers, Kurt Borchardt and Colin Quinn, Artisanal Brew Works sits on a wooded property with direct access to hiking and mountain biking trails right from the outdoor terrace. Their Warheads Extreme Sour candy ales (a collaboration with Impact Confections) earned national distribution and widespread attention, while the Trappist at the Track Belgian Tripel won Gold at the 2024 NYS Craft Beer Competition. Nature's Edge Bistro, the full-service on-site restaurant, serves bistro-inspired fare with locally sourced ingredients. Weekly programming includes trivia, live music Friday through Sunday, a monthly comedy series, and winter igloos for seasonal outdoor dining.

Walt & Whitman Brewing

Housed in the restored Old Saratogian Building in downtown Saratoga Springs, Walt & Whitman is a craft brewery, restaurant, and coffee house inspired by American poet Walt Whitman. Four distinct dining areas offer different atmospheres, from a lively beer hall serving Detroit-style pizza, giant pretzels, and burgers to the quieter Walt Cafe with espresso, breakfast sandwiches, and baked goods starting at 8am. The rotating craft beer lineup spans saisons, lagers, IPAs, stouts, and sours on tap. The dual identity as both brewery and quality coffee house makes Walt & Whitman a true all-day destination in downtown Saratoga.

Active Ingredient Brewing Company

Founded by two pharmacists in Malta, Active Ingredient brings a science-informed precision to craft brewing that sets it apart from the crowd. Their Freudian Sips kolsch earned Bronze at the 2022 NYS Craft Beer Competition and Silver in 2023, while the Delta pH fruited sour series has also claimed gold. The full gastropub kitchen serves standouts like Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and a mac and cheese burger, and the modern-industrial taproom puts the brewing equipment front and center. A QR-code ordering system at each table keeps the experience efficient and self-paced.

Common Roots Brewing Company

A family-owned brewery founded by father-and-son team Bert and Christian Weber, Common Roots rebuilt its South Glens Falls flagship with sustainable design features after a devastating fire in 2019, including a 100kW solar array that reduces fossil fuel use by 70%. The taproom pours from 32 rotating draft lines, and the locally sourced scratch kitchen serves salads, handhelds, snacks, and pizzas. Their wild beer program uses proprietary house yeast and bacteria strains for mixed-culture ales aged in oak, and the portfolio now extends to ciders, hard seltzers, hop water, and a coffee line launched in 2023. The adjacent Bierhall hosts indoor pickleball leagues, darts nights, and private events.

Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery

Nestled at the foot of the Helderberg Escarpment on a century-old family farm, Indian Ladder offers a true "farm to glass" experience as a Certified EcoApple Grower. The tasting room pours six hard ciders and six beers daily, all crafted from farm-grown apples, pears, berries, hops, and malting barley sourced from the property and neighboring New York farms. Seasonally, DeFazio's Pizza Garden (from the beloved Albany pizzeria) operates on-site, and the farm's pick-your-own orchards, nature trails, and farm store make it an all-day family destination. This is agritourism at its finest in one of the region's most beautiful rural settings.

Allied Brewing Company

Seasonal operation; typically reopens each spring.

A New York State farm brewery set within Altamont Orchards, Allied stands out with a distinctive WWII military theme that runs through everything from the beer names to the decor. Their large covered beer garden overlooks the Helderberg escarpment and the Catskills beyond, offering one of the most panoramic brewery views in the Capital Region. The family-friendly property includes a playground, dog-friendly spaces, and Adirondack chairs for soaking in the mountain scenery. Beers like D-Day, Pacific Fleet, and Rosie the Riveter Red IPA pay tribute to the greatest generation, and seasonal offerings like the Cider Donut Ale keep things interesting year-round.

The Warbler Brewery

A family-owned craft brewery in Delmar founded by award-winning head brewer Chris Schell, who brings over a decade of professional brewing experience and numerous national awards from his time at Robin Hood Brewing Co. in Pennsylvania. The Good Idea Machine Double IPA earned the title of highest-rated new beer nationally on Untappd, establishing The Warbler as a serious contender in the Capital District beer scene. The lineup spans crisp lagers to bold double IPAs and fruity sours, with the Parula Pilsner and Thacher Porter as standout year-round offerings. The cozy taproom on Delaware Avenue hosts weekly trivia, open mic nights, and live music, with light snacks and rotating food trucks available.

Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company

Established in 2015 in the hilltowns of western Albany County, Helderberg Mountain hand-crafts all beers in small batches with a deep commitment to New York agriculture. Several flagship beers are made entirely from New York-grown malts and hops, with most offerings containing 90 to 100 percent local ingredients. The brewery operates both a 7-barrel main system and a 1.5-barrel pilot system for experimental brews, and live music plays every Saturday under the covered pavilion (outdoors May through October, indoors January through April). The family-friendly, pet-friendly taproom in East Berne is a genuine hilltown retreat.

Other One Brewing Company

A nano brewery and taproom in Halfmoon that brings the community together with creative small-batch beers and a warm, social atmosphere. Fan favorites include the Sajulus hazy NEIPA (known for its ripe melon and stone fruit notes) and the Husband Day Care, a showstopping 13.5% ABV triple-nitro marshmallow stout that the owners call their proudest creation. The food menu features New York-style Paesano's pizza, giant pretzels, nachos, and what they claim is "the best free popcorn in Halfmoon." Weekly events include Wednesday trivia nights (where winners earn free crowlers) and live music throughout the week.

Helderberg Meadworks

Founded in 2012 by Peter and Kirsten Voelker, Helderberg Meadworks has grown from a passion project into one of New York's most decorated meaderies, now available in over 200 stores statewide. Their Heritage Mead won double gold and Best Mead in New York, while the Cherry Vanilla dessert mead claimed double gold, Best NY Wine, and Best Fruit Wine at competition. The lineup spans dry meads, sweet meads, hard ciders, session mead, switchel, and a rare braggot (a beer-mead hybrid brewed with grains and hops). Two tasting rooms are open for visits: the main Meadhall in Esperance and a second location in downtown Troy at 45 3rd Street.

Rail2River Brewing

A veteran-owned nano farm brewery in Ravena, Rail2River was opened in 2021 by Steven Douglas after 23 years of service in the United States Air Force. The brewery specializes in American and English-style ales alongside New York ciders and sangria, all brewed in small batches with a personal touch. Year-round events include live music and paint-and-sip nights, and the intimate Main Street setting is ideal for a relaxed afternoon of socializing over fresh craft beverages. Rail2River is a proud stop on the Capital Craft Beverage Trail.

Chatham Brewing

Founded over 15 years ago by Tom Crowell and Jake Cunningham, Chatham Brewing started in a small garage with a 3.5-barrel system and won a bronze medal at TAP New York within three months of their first batch. They have since earned the TAP NY Matthew Vassar Cup for Best Craft Brewery in the Hudson Valley three times (2012, 2015, and 2017) and now operate a 20-barrel system in a 6,000-square-foot facility. The on-site Little Blue Boat Food Truck serves what they call the "Best NY Burger" alongside beer cheese noodles, crispy half chicken, and fish and chips. Longtime regulars swear by the Farmer's Daughter and Czech'rd Past flagship brews.