Orange County, N.Y., Celebrates the Growing Craft Beverage Scene with Revamped Website,
New Video and New Prizes for Beverage Explorers
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (April 7, 2023) – No matter how you pour it, the Orange County craft beverage scene has something for everyone! Orange County, N.Y., is quickly becoming a hot spot for craft beverage enthusiasts, with a growing number of breweries, wineries, and distilleries. As the county establishes itself as a must-visit destination for those looking for unique, locally made libations, we are creating an immersive and fun experience for our visitors with our Taste the Craft Trail and revamped website. We have made it easier for you to visit the diverse range of craft beverage establishments by curating fun itineraries, creating an interactive map and launching new prizes for exploring the Craft Beverage Trail.
In celebration of National Beer Day, which is tomorrow, Orange County Tourism & Film is introducing a new video showcasing why Orange County is poised to become a leading destination for craft beverage lovers! Find the video here.
Since 2020, more than a half dozen craft beverage establishments have opened. Next month, Aspire Brewery will become the first brewery to open in the Town of Wallkill and will debut an innovative “self-pour” experience to the region.
“The craft beverage scene in Orange County, N.Y., fun, lively and entertaining!” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism & Film. “With its rolling hills, lush orchards,picturesque vineyards, and being just an hour from New York City, Orange County is the perfect place to explore and taste some of the best craft beverages in the state. The many unique establishments make a great theme for a long weekend in Orange County, with plenty of lodging options to choose from for your overnight experience.”
New & Improved Craft Beverage webpage: orangetourism.org/explore/craft-beverage
Updates include upcoming events specific to craft beverage, spotlight features on establishments and a colorful, interactive map. Check out the “passport” you can download to a mobile device for special deals offered by participating locations. Use the passport to check in at five establishments, and you’ll be eligible to win prizes (while supplies last)! Check out the website for more details!
Newer locations you might not have visited yet include four breweries, a vineyard, and a distillery taproom. Use our crafted itinerary or events calendar to plan for a trivia night, listen to live music, attend a books and beer club or find a good excuse to get friends together. We’ve got you covered throughout the year – in cooler weather, fire pits, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves will keep you toasty. The beverages are always accompanied by delicious eats from food trucks or the establishments’ own kitchens.
In short, wherever you go in Orange County, there’s always something brewing, blending or aging to perfection.
Several recently opened places:
Spirits Lab, 105 Ann St., Newburgh, N.Y.: The distillery opened its taproom in March 2020 in Newburgh’s historic downtown. Patrons enjoy small-batch wheated bourbon, rye, vodka, gin and cachaca. Cocktails include Fiery Passion, Elderflower Whiskey Sour and Tart Cherry Manhattan.
https://www.thespiritslab.com/home
The Drowned Lands, 251 State Street Road, Warwick, N.Y.: Just two years after the taproom opened in 2020, The Drowned Lands was named the best brewery in New York State, winning the F.X. Matt Cup at the TAP NY 2022 festival. Making the most of the bounty of the region’s famously fertile black dirt, the brewery produces beer that “takes its cues from the richest soil in the country – connected to both time and place – inspired by Old World techniques and modern innovation.”
Shepherd’s Eye Brewing Company, 3 Industrial Drive, Florida, N.Y.: Open since October 2021, Shepherd’s Eye offers a rotation of German-style craft beers. The establishment is named in honor of the owners’ beloved German shepherd Zeus and his watchful eye overseeing the brewing process.
https://shepherdseyebrewing.com
Foreign Objects Beer Company, 150 W. Mombasha Road, Monroe, N.Y.: Deep-thinking brewers here are inspired by “the philosophical importance of experiential wisdom.” They produce “New-American Hoppy Ales, mysterious and inspiringly complex Franco-Belgian Farmhouse beers, and subtle, earthy, unquestionably drinkable German ungespundet lagers.” The brews’ names are as heady as the beer, including Solarys, Mind-Body-Light-Sound and Willful Delusion of False Perceptions. Sample them in the Nerve Center Tasting Room, which opened in December 2021.
https://www.foreignobjectsbeer.com/
Big Dogs Brewery, 771 State Route 52, Walden, N.Y.: Opened in February, the new brewery offering brewed-on-premises craft beers on tap with other local beers, wines, ciders and spirits. A coffee bar and nonalcoholic beverages are available for designated drivers and others. In spring, the owners plan an inviting outdoor area with fire pits and room to dance.
Océane Vineyards, 1661 Kings Highway, Chester, N.Y.: The newest vineyard brims with Colonial Era charm with a 20-room farmhouse that dates to 1762. It opened recently as a small, family-owned boutique winery and vineyard producing varieties “from grape to glass,” capturing Hudson Valley “terroir,” or essence of the region, in every sip.
Aspire Brewery, 600 N. Galleria Drive, Middletown, N.Y.: Scheduled to open shortly, the brewery will be located at the entrance of the Galleria at Crystal Run. It will feature a unique 40-tap, self-serve beer hall in addition to a traditional taproom.
For more on new and longtime establishments, visit Orange County Tourism & Film’s Craft Beverage webpage at https://orangetourism.org/explore/craft-beverage. Visitors can learn about all craft beverage establishments, find a map and download a “passport” to enjoy discounts along the Orange County Craft Beverage Trail.
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events and film resources can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page travel guide is available for digital download at orangetourism.org/travel-guide/.
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.
