Recent Opening and Closings of Upstate New York Breweries

If you’re gonna drink beer, you may as well drink local, right? Well, there’s been a bit of news in the Capital Region beer industry and not all of it is good.

To lighten the spirits, I’ll start with the bad news and end on a better note with some brewery good news. One of New York’s oldest breweries will be closing, according to NY Upstate. Saratoga Brewing Co abruptly closed and there’s no news on its future. The brewery opened in 1997 and was known to have had financial and legal problems. Saratoga Brewing is best known for Olde Saratoga Brewing but also used the facility for other breweries (Shmaltz began in that facility before breaking off on their own in 2013). According to Braven Brewing, a partner, they were only given 72 hours notice.

With one brewery closing, there is news of two new New York breweries added to the ever-expanding list. First, keep an eye out for Northway Brewing Co. Northway Brewing Co will be the name of the “house” brews coming out of Lake George Brewing Company in Queensbury as of March 1. NY Upstate reports that they will have “Sunrise Session IPA, Perfect Day Pilsner, and Burly Beard Nitro Oatmeal Stout, all in draft and cans.”

Also expanding, a little further south, is Sloop Brewing from East Fishkill. NY Upstate says Sloop will now be expanding into the southern Dutchess County with hopes that being closer to New York City will expand their brand even further. If you want to try their beers a little closer to Albany, they’re keeping their tasting room at Vosburgh Orchards in Elizaville open.