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Photo courtesy of Enormous Creative
The craft beer scene in Westchester County is thriving thanks to this collective of talented breweries throughout the region.
Additional reporting by Alyssa Politi
Over the past 10 years or so, Westchester’s craft beer scene has exploded. Where once there were few and far between options when it came to a locally brewed pint, the thriving industry has given rise to hop houses and taprooms from Yonkers all the way up to Peekskill. If you’re cruising for a new quaff or maybe some perfectly paired pub grub, here are the Westchester-based breweries you should be seeking out.
Photo by Andrew Dominick
Alternative Medicine Brewing Co.
29 Elm Avenue, Ste 1A, Mt Vernon; 914.530.3269
Year Founded: 2021
Longtime home brewer Jordan Hahn (a software network engineer) teamed up with his buddy Tom Ryan (an audio engineer) to open Alt Med Brewing simply because they wanted to. Located directly across the street from Mount Vernon East’s Metro-North stop in what used to be a manufacturing company in the early 1900s, now renovated by the two friends, the dark, but cozy subterranean space features Hahn’s recipes scaled up for beer geeks to enjoy much like all his friends and family did, hence giving him the courage to open a brewery.
Flagship Beers: Charlatan, a crisp, bright, easy drinking cream ale, and Juice Cleanse, a hoppy, tropical, hazy New England style IPA are both usually in heavy rotation on the lines.
Food: Although the brewery welcomes BYOF, Caribbean Soul Food Delight serves up daily specials. For a lighter snack, go for the small batches of popcorn with the option of adding flavors, flavored pretzels, and beef jerky.
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Broken Bow Brewery
173 Marbledale Rd, Tuckahoe; 914.268.0900
Year Founded: 2013
A homebrewing hobby that started in Michael LaMothe’s family home in Bedford Hills turned into a career and a family affair with his parents and sisters helping him run the day-to-day operations. Inside this former tile factory, you’ll find lots of repurposed nuances from the building’s previous occupant and, when the weather calls for it, venture outside with your pint for a little fresh air and cornhole.
Flagship Beers: Grooving on a chocolatey, coffee-laden Broken Heart Stout is a proper move. Bearded Skull is a Mexican-style lager that also takes the cake.
Food: There are snacks in the taproom, so feel free to bring your own food or have a meal delivered from nearby restaurants. Leila’s Empanadas, The Steak Truck, and Latusion have made regular appearances, so keep an eye on the website for food truck guests.
Photo by Enormous Creative
Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.
444 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford; 914.741.2337
369 Lexington Ave, Mt Kisco; 845.261.3279
Year Founded: 2006
Captain Lawrence wasn’t always a brewery. Before that, he was Samuel Lawrence, a Westchester County Militia captain during the American Revolution. Of course, it’s also a street in South Salem where founder and head brewer Scott Vaccaro grew up. When the brewery opened in Pleasantville, Captain Lawrence was the only Westchester brewery and, in 2011, it moved its operation to Elmsford and doubled production and overall space, making it one of the largest breweries in the Hudson Valley. Whether you’re enjoying Belgian-inspired brews with a New York twist in a lively taproom or outside on the patio (with bocce ball and cornhole), expect an often-busy scene that’s great for group gatherings and many special events. Captain Lawrence has since opened a Mount Kisco spinoff named the “Barrel House” where patrons can get their fill of many different drafts and similar food to that of the main brewery.
Flagship Beers: Freshchester Pale Ale, a light drinking, slightly hoppy brew is the original, but anything barrel-aged or puckeringly sour shouldn’t be passed up.
Food: Captain Lawrence’s kitchen is centered on pub grub like pretzels with beer cheese, two fried chicken sandwiches (one is Nashville hot), wings, two burgers, and mac and cheese, and a summer ahi tuna poke bowl. Pizza is a highlight, too, with 11 different pies to choose from and an occasional special.
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Decadent Ales
139 Hoyt Ave Ste A (inside of Half Time), Mamaroneck; 914.848.4060
Year Founded: 2018
Paul Pignataro started Decadent Ales because, as he puts it, “I got tired of reading beer labels that said, ‘marshmallow this, marshmallow that’ and it would never taste like it was supposed to.” The dessert-like IPAs, stouts, and collaboration beers with other breweries like Evil Twin and Fat Orange Cat started being brewed and canned with the help of Twelve Percent Beer Project. Fast forward to now, and the brewery has found a permanent home inside of Half Time Mamaroneck.
Flagship Beers: Anything “Cream Pop” is what you covet. These lactose-laden, creamy IPAs are all high in the ABV department, but you’ll swear you’re drinking a beer milkshake.
Food: After the departure of Hapa, Decadent now uses the kitchen to serve Pat LaFrieda blend burgers, hot dogs, and wings. Be on the lookout for food truck pop-ups.
*Taproom currently closed for renovations
Related: Grab a Drink at These Rooftop Bars and Eateries Around Westchester
Photo by Andrew Dominick
Peekskill Brewery
47 S Water Street #53, Peekskill; 914.734.2337
Year Founded: 2008
Peekskill Brewery’s popularity skyrocketed when it moved from its original facility on Hudson Avenue down the street to a four-story building in 2011. This riverfront brewpub with a second-floor restaurant (where the vibe is more mellow) is one of the places to be in a city that’s on a redevelopment rise. PB is young and hip, and you’ll encounter plenty of craft beer aficionados who are both local and “just visiting” to crush some of Westchester’s best beer and one of the more varied lists in terms of beer styles.
Flagship Beers: Eastern Standard, an IPA featuring a blend of West Coast Citra and Simcoe hops, provides bitterness, but its maltiness makes it balance out.
Food: Ten-inch personal pizzas, the signature Brew Burger (Applewood smoked bacon, garlic aioli, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, and onion on brioche), plenty of snackable apps, and fresh-cut fries available in Cajun spiced or truffle with parmesan, along with garlic aioli for dipping.
Photo by Enormous Creative
River Outpost Brewing Co.
5 John Walsh Blvd, Peekskill; 914.788.4555
Year Founded: 2018
Located inside the Factoria at Charles Point, this collaborative venture comes to the table courtesy of Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.’s founder Scott Vaccaro, along with local developers Louie Lanza and John Sharp. But there’s more than just a brewery; Factoria houses an entertainment space called Spins Hudson with a ropes course, laser tag, shuffle board, and an arcade, as well as a private event space, and Fin & Brew, a full-service New American restaurant.
Flagship Beers: There’s no real flagship, but River Outpost has a variety of styles on tap from light lagers and pilsners to hoppy IPAs.
Food: Fin & Brew is a legit restaurant that’s getting quite a bit of recognition for its seafood-forward focus. Chef Mike Anastacio likes to use Hudson Valley ingredients, especially on the fish and produce front, to express himself with dishes like creamed corn brulee, chargrilled octopus, and seafood Kare-Kare.
Run & Hide Brewing Co.
223 Westchester Ave, Fl 1, Port Chester; 914.305.1352
Year Founded: 2020; Brewery opened in 2022
Named after an old Prohibition term, Run & Hide Brewing Co. comes to Port Chester by beer aficionado Tim Shanley, who you might know from his time at Coals Pizza in Bronxville. A proud New Yorker who says, “I’ve never left [New York] and never will leave,” brings a much-needed influx of something new and exciting to the village with delicious drafts that range from an Italian pilsner to no-lactose double IPAs and a bright, floral quaff in Fuque de French, a farmhouse saison.
Flagship Beers: There are two! Stick With Grandma is a crushable Italian pilsner and Larry’s Liquid Love is a smooth double IPA, minus any lactose, that’s a nice balance of tropically juicy and dank.
Food: There’s no kitchen at R&H, but they’re doing salads, cold-cut sandwiches, and Italian/Spanish tapas bites like olives, cured meats, and cheeses.
Simple Motive Brewing Co. Photo by Ryan Noel
Simple Motive Brewing Co.
222 Lake Ave, Yonkers; 914.968.1406
Year Founded: 2023
After six years of planning and various obstacles delaying the process, Simple Motive Brewing Co. opened its doors on June 3 this year. The brewery, which resides in a historic building, is the perfect hangout spot to go to with friends. You can engage in a night of trivia with a crisp brew in hand while listening to live music.
Flagship Beer: A Kölsch, two IPAs, a pale ale, porter, stout, and extra pale all make up the selection of eight beers. However, more options are soon to be crafted.
Food: Light snacks are offered at the bar while food truck rotations are in the works. However, there are also local food options that customers are welcome to bring inside to eat.
Photo by Andrew Dominick
Sing Sing Kill Brewery
75 Spring St, Ossining; 914.502.0577
Year Founded: 2018
With a tagline like, “It’s water, not murder,” Ossining residents Eric Gearity (whose wife is Ossining’s mayor) and Matt Curtin are referring to the Sing Sing Kill Creek, not Sing Sing Correctional Facility. They hope to change the perception of a place that’s infamous for its prison and be a part of the village’s revitalization. This local haunt features Curtin’s homebrew recipes with an emphasis on being 100% local, so every malt, grain, and hop they brew with is from New York.
Flagship Beers: Singularity is a single malt and single hop brewed with 100% sail freighted grains. This pour is a throwback to West Coast IPAs of old upstate NY and Cascade hops.
Food: Look for small stuff like hot dogs, Papa’s Best Batch Nuts (they’re excellent, btw), Hal’s Potato Chips, and fresh-baked pretzels made by First Village Bakery.
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Soul Brewing
41 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville; 914.800.7685
Year Founded: 2020
Founder and brewmaster Allen Wallace wanted to create a small community gathering space and, when combined with his love of beer that he discovered while traveling in Belgium and Germany, opening a microbrewery in Pleasantville was a no-brainer. Given his inspiration, it should be no shock to find light Belgian-style witbiers and German-inspired toasty, hop spicy maibocks among a list that also includes fruited sours, a chocolate milk porter, IPAs, and easy-drinking lagers.
Flagship Beers: Anything brewed in the German or Belgian style is what you covet. Go for the maibocks, pilsners, ales, wits, and strong ales.
Food: Soul’s grub selection is all about supporting local, so they’ve partnered with nearby Sundance Deli to offer empanadas (beef, chicken, buffalo chicken, and vegetarian). Additionally, Bavarian pretzels (either with mustard or Hudson Honey Blonde beer cheese) come to the taproom via Ossining’s First Village Coffee and, if you’re just snacking, there’s the vegan Hudson Valley produced BjornQorn to eat by the fistful.
Photo by Andrew Dominick
Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company
195A E Post Rd, White Plains; 914.368.8617
Year Founded: 2019
Former television producer and decorated home brewer Michael Chiltern named Wolf & Warrior after his two sons, Vuk (means “wolf” in Serbian) and Branko (translated to “defender,” but adapted to warrior). The taproom is a chill vibe with an IPA heavy beer list — including hazy juice bombs and imperial IPAs — that’ll keep the hopheads happy and making this a hotspot beer haven for the foreseeable future.
Flagship Beer: Passion Wolf is dry hopped with Mosaic, Sabro, and Calypso, then conditioned on mango and passionfruit puree, making it the perfect balance between a refreshing tropical drink and a hazy IPA.
Food: The menu refresh is more beer-friendly than before as they’ve added mouthwatering birria tacos, wings, four different burgers (including a molten-cheese-center Juicy Lucy-style burger), hand-cut fries, and three sandwiches in a Cubano, a chicken sandwich coated in spicy IPA buffalo sauce, and a cheesesteak.
Photo by Andrew Dominick
Yonkers Brewing Co.
92 Main St, Yonkers; 914.226.8327
Year Founded: 2015
When Yonkers Brewing first started out, they contract brewed out of Thomas Hooker in upstate Connecticut, but they needed community support from a Kickstarter campaign. The result was a success, over $40,000 worth, and it helped bring to fruition a brewery to Westchester’s only existing trolley barn on the Yonkers waterfront, right by the Metro-North station, making it ideal for a post-work thirst quenching session.
Flagship Beer: The 914 has been around since YBC’s inception. It’s an easy-drinking, true-to-the-style Vienna lager that’s malty and sweet.
Food: Go for the wings, parmesan-dusted blistered Brussels sprouts, Bavarian pretzels, Italian-style pastas, chicken and waffles, and lots of handhelds like tacos, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
