Peekskill Brewery Bigs Up
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New vintage digs for Peekskill Brewery |
So, there I was back in October, loitering at the Hudson Hop and Harvest, a massive food and beer orgy that somehow spun out of Peekskill Brewery’s cute, little anniversary party. Folks, there were reportedly 5,000 people on South Water Street gathered into a big, loose, beery street festival, grooving to Evan Watson, who was playing a fabulous blues version of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” My goal (and I don’t mind sharing this with you, my dearest friends) was to drink loads of locally craft-brewed beer without actually having to visit a Port-a-Potty. Anyway, while I was at it, I bumped into Chris and Joe DeCicco, the youthful scions of the DeCicco grocery chain. These are the guys who are responsible for tweaking Westchester’s home-grown grocery store into a serious, on-trend, craft-beer destination.
Turns out that rather than promoting their own beer doings at DeCicco’s Markets, they were all jazzed about what was happening at Peekskill Brewery (beer people are generous that way). Later, I caught up with PB’s owner, Morgan Berardi, and here’s the skinny: Peekskill Brewery has purchased the historic P.T.S building on Peekskill’s South Water Street and is planning to move its operations from 55 Hudson Avenue to the South Water Street location. The gorgeous P.T.S. building is a four-story, 35,000-square- foot structure erected in 1926; it has unobstructed views of the Hudson River.
Here’s what’s planned for the new site:
· First floor: Taproom and brewery with Alfred Gruber growler fill system. Light bar snacks will be served.
· Second floor: Restaurant with open kitchen and full river views
· Third floor: The Kuhlschip Gallery—a community and event space. This is where PB’s kuhlschip will be located. (This traditional beer-making vessel gathers ambient yeast from the air.)
· Fourth floor: Private event space
· Roof: rooftop Biergarden with full views of the Hudson River
Look for the bigged-up Peekskill Brewery to debut the first two floors of its new space in late December—the rooftop biergarden, third and fourth floors will follow at some point in the ensuing year. Of course, this news joins the PB shocker (detonated earlier this year) that announced that superstar Ithaca brewer Jeff O’Neil had joined the Peekskill team. We can’t wait.
HotDates: Pinot Noir Smackdown at Wine Geeks of Armonk
December 8, 7 – 8:30 pm
$35 per person
From the site, “Are you a New World enthusiast or an Old World aficionado? Join us to compare and contrast delicious Pinot Noirs from the US and Burgundy, and we’ll find out!” Contact Wine Geeks of Armonk to book; reservations required as seating is limited. Call 914-273-WINE (9463).
Hurricane Sandy Benefit at Graziella’s Italian Restaurant
November 29
$30 per person, exclusive of beverage, tax, and tip
Look for a portion of the evening’s proceeds to benefit families still struggling with the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The evening includes a choice of appetizer and main course. Call Graziella’s at (914) 761-5721 to reserve.
HotPlate: The Cookery Re-Opens with a BANG!
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Now at The Cookery (which is currently no longer blowing up): minestre with cavatelli, escarole, cabbage, and sausage |
Finally! After a slight mishap with accelerants (that kinda blew up the basement of The Cookery—no one was hurt), everyone’s favorite destination for devilishly debauched dining has, at last, re-opened. The Cookery team has all gotten over explosion, and are now willing to joke—when you visit, don’t forget to ask your waiter for a light.
