Sip these Westchester beers before summer ends. Adobe Stock/ Wirestock Creators
Searching for that perfect pale ale to close out summer? We’ve made a list of crushable beers you can find in Westchester.
Fall may be in the air (so say some), but we’re not quite ready for those seasonal hoppy double IPAs and rich, boozy stouts (though we do love them). The way we see it, end of summer grilling and firepitting call for super drinkable beers — refreshing session IPAs, pale ales, and subtle sours. And since we admit there’s really not much time left in summer, let’s just jump into the list, shall we? We all know why you’re here.
Bill Allen’s Effing Rad (Hibiscus Citrus Pale Ale, 7% ABV)
Alternative Medicine Brewing Company, Mt. Vernon
Children of the ’80s will fondly remember the cult-classic movie Rad, in which aspiring BMX star Cru Jones is faced with the impossible choice: compete at Hell Track for fame and fortune, or…take the SATs and go to college. Cru made the obvious choice then. And he (that is, actor Bill Allen) is making good choices now, teaming up with Alternative Medicine for a collaboration beer. It’s sure to fly, so get it while it lasts.
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Fruit Factory (Fruit Punch Berliner Weisse, 6.3% ABV)
Decadent Ales, Mamaroneck
For beers guaranteed to surprise and delight, don’t sleep on Decadent. And if it’s a sweet and tart palate explosion you seek, be sure to stop at the Fruit Factory. The latest Berliner Weisse iteration, Fruit Punch, is brewed with generous amounts of dragon fruit, mango, peach, and blood orange puree. Think adult Kool-Aid with a kick and you’re on the right track.
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Notorious L.I.C. (Imperial IPA, 12.2% ABV)
Broken Bow Brewery, Tuckahoe
When the moment calls for a big beer, you’d be hard-pressed to find a bolder offering than Notorious L.I.C. Marketed as “hop-forward, bitter, and aggressive,” it delivers on all fronts while pouring a deep orange haze and drinking lighter than its considerable alcohol content would imply.
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Orbital Tilt (New England IPA, 5.9% ABV)
Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Elmsford
Westchester’s marquee brewery cemented its place on the map through steadfast offerings like Citra Dreams Hazy IPA or the Classic Lager. Equally reliable, though, is Orbital Tilt, a pillowy, unfiltered New England IPA that drinks smooth and finishes creamy. As an added bonus, the brewery rotates the hop profiles from batch to batch to keep savvy drinkers on their toes. (That’s a balance joke. Get it?)
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Patagonia (Argentinian Golden Ale, 5.4% ABV)
Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company, White Plains
You might make a trip to Wolf & Warrior for the luscious IPAs or the savory food menu (go for the Juicy Lucy burger), and you wouldn’t be disappointed on either front. But if you’re in White Plains and have time for just one beer, make it the Patagonia Argentinian Golden Ale. Crisp and light with a firm malty backbone and a flavorful finish, it’s the perfect pint for summer’s waning weeks.
Recreational Session (Session IPA, 4.8% ABV)
Yonkers Brewing, Yonkers
Brewed for National Park and Recreation Month (every July…who knew?), this dry-hopped session ale features a single, Neo-Mexicanus hop variety that takes its name from the Aztec sun deity, Tonatiuh. No promises of immortality here, but its bright, citrusy flavors and muted bitterness will have your taste buds glowing.
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Stick With Grandma (Italian Pilsner, 5% ABV)
Run & Hide Brewery, Port Chester
While Run & Hide’s Port Chester taproom is new to the scene, its beers have been on the market for some time now. Your Mom’s Best Friend is the double IPA in the blazing pink can you’ve likely seen or heard of, but Stick With Grandma is the one you won’t want to miss. At 5% ABV, this easy-drinking unfiltered Italian pilsner is the perfect complement to just about any social setting. Or an evening alone with a four-pack. We don’t judge.
Summer Soulstice (Saison, 6.5% ABV)
Soul Brewing Company, Pleasantville
The pandemic may have put a damper on this Pleasantville gem’s debut, but it’s brewing in full force now with something on the list for everyone (including Thursday night trivia). For a new addition, check out the Summer Soulstice, a Belgian-style farmhouse ale that offers hidden complexities with every sip. A classic summer beer through and through.
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Wish List (Oktoberfest, 6.4% ABV)
Peekskill Brewery, Peekskill
As sure as the leaves changing color or Halloween decorations infiltrating store windows, the last weeks of summer promise a slew of Oktoberfest-style beers to start hitting menus and shelves around the county. For a popular take on the style, try Wish List, freshly brewed and back in action for another year. Deeply malty with a nice clean hop finish, it’ll have you wishing for sweater weather in no time.
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Related: 6 Canned Cocktails to Sip on in Westchester County
