Visit These 9 Albany Area Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
Are you a craft beverage aficionado? Whether you're a beer, wine, or spirit lover, some of the best craft beverages are being made right here in the Capital District, and there's no better way to sample the locally-crafted libations than going on your own self-guided Albany booze tour! Whether you're interested in sampling or learning how your favorite local alcohol is made, check out these ten area wineries, breweries, and distilleries!
1. Nine Pin Ciderworks LLC
Located in Downtown Albany, Nine Pin Ciderworks was New York State's first farm cidery. Using locally sourced apples from orchards in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, Nine Pin creates exceptional off-dry ciders that you can sample in their Tasting Room in addition to exquisite cheese and charcuterie plates.
2. Albany Distilling Company
Downtown Albany's Albany Distilling Company was founded in 2011, but uses old school techniques to create their vodka, whiskey, and rum. Inspired by their proximity to Albany's original 18th century distillery, Albany Distilling Company uses recipes from that era to inform their modern line of spirits. Come sample their products at their bar, or go on a Distillery Tour that runs every Saturday at 3pm.
3. Druthers Brewing Company
Come for the beer, stay for the food! This award-winning brewery and restaurant serves up a rotating selection of high quality beer and gourmet takes on classic dishes. Druthers brews its hand crafted beers on site so you can be sure you're getting the freshest beer. Perfect for families, take the kids for a weekend lunch and get ready to feast on their famous beer-cheese dip, loaded mac & cheese, and creative burgers.
4. Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.
This community-focused brewery in Glenville prides itself on being the the preeminent choice for local beer drinkers to drink, hang out, and learn. Open four days a week, stop in and have a pint served within sight of the brew system where the beer was made, or pick up a growler to go. The brewery offers tours presented by the brewers themselves Saturdays at 2:30 and live music, beer and food tasting menus, and open jazz nights throughout the week.
5. Fort Orange Brewing
Named in honor of an 1800's Albany brewery, Fort Orange Brewing carries on the local beer making tradition with fresh, flavorful beers that showcase the amazing styles being brewed across the USA. Their downtown Albany location always has a calendar full of fun events including Trivia Nights, Comedy Shows, Taproom Yoga, Live Music, and more! Stop by their taproom Wed-Sun to try out their handcrafted beers.
6. Rare Form Brewing Company
This one's for the beer connoisseurs. Troy's Rare Form Brewing Company is a small five barrel brewery with a beer style focused on tradition and experimentation. Visit their taproom to try several rotating and experimental beers paired with the fine local food such as gourmet ploughman's boards, and specialty chips & nuts. From a coconut cream ale to a pear and thyme sour, adventurous drinkers will appreciate the creative selection at Rare Form Brewing Company.
7. Brown's Brewing Co.
Brown's Brewing Co. in Troy brews more than 40 different styles of ales and has ten or more on tap at any given time for you to try in their Troy Taproom. Located in a renovated 175-year-old forgotten warehouse on River St., this brewery attracts more than a quarter million visitors each year! We recommend trying one of their flight deals (6 beers for $7 or 8 beers for $9) so you can taste the variety of beers they have to offer.
8. Altamont Vineyard & Winery
Ever toured an old-world style vineyard? Altamont Vineyard & Winery in Altamont, NY, west of Troy, produces modern wines using classic techniques. From May-August, guests can take tours of the working vineyard which produces 25 different grape varieties. Their tasting room is open Saturdays and Sundays 12-5pm during the year where you can sample their selection of wines and try one of their specialty cheese plates including locally made chocolates.
9. Capoccia Vineyard and Winery
Finish your tour off in Schenectady at Capoccia Vineyard and Winery. This New York State Winery uses 100% New York State grapes to produce their several different varietals including Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and their famous Traminette. Sample their hand-crafted wines in their tasting room with views of the wine-making process. While the winery's tasting room is open seasonally, you can take advantage of free instant local delivery in the Capital Region all year long.