Explore Upstate New York’s growing craft beverage scene with a beer-and-wine trail that starts at AutoCamp Catskills.
Upstate New York’s craft beverage scene is garnering a lot of buzz, and AutoCamp is the perfect homebase for hitting up the area’s best breweries and wineries. Whether you’re into robust ales, smooth ciders, or regional varietals that hit all the right notes, there’s much to sip and savor. Here’s a breakdown of our fave sampling spots for mapping out a scenic tasting trail that checks all the boxes.
RIP VAN WINKLE BREWING COMPANY, Catskill
Kick off your trail with a visit to Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company in nearby Catskill. Here, there are a variety of beers to sample — try the Mountain House Helles on tap, a golden German Helles lager that finishes crisp on the palate — and a family-friendly Italian/American menu for fueling for the day’s adventures.
CROSSROADS BREWING COMPANY, Athens
Next, take a quick 10-minute drive to Crossroads Brewing Company, a rustic-industrial brewpub in Athens that was once the Brooks Opera House. Head brewer Hutch Kugeman has been racking up the awards with his range of IPAs, porters, pilsners, lagers, stouts, and ales, including the Matthew Vassar Cup for Best Brewery in the Hudson Valley, as well as the inaugural John Calen award for Best IPA in New York State. Plus, Crossroads has a conveniently located taproom in Catskill, too.
HONEY HOLLOW BREWING CO., Earlton
Just 15 minutes from Athens, the relatively new Honey Hollow Brewing Company in Earlton is a sub-nano farm brewery that produces small batch, hand-crafted ales that locals love. Small but mighty, all of their beers are made with New York State ingredients and feature home-grown hops straight from the garden. Order up the Revolutionary Ale, a wheat-heavy adaptation of Thomas Jefferson’s recipe that he brewed at Monticello, the Founding Father’s home in Virginia.
THE VINEYARD AT WINDHAM, Windham
A 30-minute drive from Earlton, The Vineyard at Windham sits on four, resplendent acres overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Soak up the views from the tasting room or patio while sampling a variety of small-batch wines including Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. In true celebration of viticulture, The Vineyard at Windham sources the best-rated wines in New York State from the Finger Lakes to the North and South Forks of Long Island, too, so there’s a wide, regional range to sample. Definitely ask for a pour of their house Dry Riesling, which took the silver medal at last year’s New York Wine Classic.