Albany has no shortage of great breweries, each with its own approach to craft beer. Some focus on time-tested styles, perfecting crisp lagers and smooth porters, while others experiment with bold hops, barrel aging, and seasonal flavors.

If you're looking for great beer in a welcoming setting, this guide covers the top breweries in Albany and what makes each one worth visiting. 🍻

🍺Fort Orange Brewing

📍450 North Pearl St, Albany, NY 🌐fortorangebrewing.com 📞518-992-3103

Located in the heart of Albany, Fort Orange Brewing is a must-visit for craft beer lovers. Founded by three local friends with a passion for brewing, this taproom offers a welcoming, laid-back vibe perfect for casual hangouts, trivia nights, and live music.

🍻 What’s on Tap?

• Fort Orange IPA – Their flagship American IPA with a balanced, citrus-forward profile.
• Timber with Apricot – A smooth, fruit-infused American IPA featuring apricot flavors.
• Pomegranate Sour – A tart and refreshing sour with juicy pomegranate notes.
• Momentum with Motueka – A hop-forward American IPA brewed with Motueka hops for a unique tropical character.

🍽️ Food & Events

• Food Trucks: Regularly scheduled, so you can pair your beer with local eats.
• BYO Food: Feel free to bring your own snacks or takeout.
• Events: Trivia, live music, and special beer release parties.

🎯 Special Mention: Cornhole League 

For those who love a little friendly competition, Fort Orange Brewing hosts Cornhole League, where teams can sign up and compete while enjoying great beer. It’s the perfect way to unwind, meet new people, and test your tossing skills with a pint in hand.

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🍺 Druthers Brewing Company

📍 1053 Broadway, Albany, NY 🌐 druthersbrewing.com 📞 518-650-7996

Druthers Brewing Company in Albany is housed in a historic warehouse dating back to 1901. This expansive 17,000-square-foot space allows Druthers to produce a diverse range of handcrafted beers for both their on-site restaurant and off-premises sales.

🍻 What's on Tap?

• All-In IPA – A hoppy American-style IPA featuring Amarillo and Centennial hops, balanced by German Vienna and Munich malts.
• 80 Shilling – A malty Scottish-style ale with caramel notes, awarded Silver at the 2016 World Beer Cup.
• Double Dare Strong Gose – A German-style ale brewed with coriander and a hint of salt, offering a refreshing citrusy tartness; Gold Award Winner at the 2014 World Beer Cup.

🍽️ Food & Events

• Menu: Elevated comfort food, including their renowned mac and cheese varieties.
• Events: Live music, trivia nights, and seasonal beer releases, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.

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🍺 Common Roots Brewing Company

📍19 Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY 🌐 commonrootsbrewing.com📞 518- 409-8248

Established in South Glens Falls, Common Roots Brewing Company expanded to Albany in February 2024, revitalizing the historic C.H. Evans Brewing space at the Albany Pump Station. This new outpost offers a vibrant atmosphere where patrons can enjoy a diverse selection of craft beverages and locally sourced fare.

🍻 What’s on Tap?

With 24 rotating draft lines, Common Roots offers a variety of their signature and seasonal brews. Here are some highlights:

• Gondola Session IPA: A hop-forward and refreshing IPA with notes of guava and orange peel.
• Pacific Pulse IPA: A West Coast-style IPA featuring a balanced bitterness with citrus undertones.
• Good Fortune IPA: A classic IPA with a harmonious blend of hops and malt.

🍽️ Food & Events

• Menu: The scratch kitchen emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, offering elevated sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and daily taco features.
• Events: The Albany Outpost hosts a variety of events, including live music, trivia nights, and special beer release parties. The spacious venue also offers private event spaces suitable for gatherings of different sizes.

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Fidens Brewing Company:

📍 897 Broadway, Albany, NY 🌐 fidensbrewing.com 📞518-608-0014

Founded in 2014, Fidens Brewing Company has established itself as a premier destination for craft beer enthusiasts, particularly those with a penchant for hop-forward brews.

🍻 What’s on Tap?

• On My Way: A flagship IPA celebrated for its balanced hop profile and smooth finish.
• Jupiter: A double IPA that delivers a robust blend of tropical fruit flavors and aromatic hops.
• More Mosaic: An IPA highlighting the distinctive notes of Mosaic hops, offering a medley of berry and citrus undertones.

🍽️ Food & Events

• Menu: Fidens offers an in-house food menu featuring a variety of dishes crafted to complement their beer selection. Options include shareable like cheese curds and chicken wings and handhelds such as the Fidens Smash burger and fried chicken sandwich.
• Events: The brewery hosts regular events, including beer release parties and tasting sessions.

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🍏 Nine Pin Cider Works

📍 929 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207 🌐 ninepincider.com 📞 518-449-9999

If you're exploring Albany's craft beverage scene, Nine Pin Cider Works stands out as a must-visit destination.  Established in 2012, Nine Pin Cider Works is New York's first farm cidery, dedicated to crafting exceptional hard ciders using 100% fresh-pressed New York apples. 

🍻 What's on Tap?

• Signature: An off-dry, crisp, and refreshing cider crafted from 100% New York apples.
• Ginger Mule: Infused with ginger and lime, this cider offers a spicy profile reminiscent of the classic cocktail.
• Belgian: A farmhouse blend fermented with Belgian Abbey Ale yeast, invoking characteristics of Belgian beers.
• Mulled Cranberry: A seasonal cider aged with mulling spices and tangerine, providing a warming, fragrant experience.

🍽️ Food & Events

• Menu: The tasting room offers a variety of dishes, including sourdough personal pizzas (with gluten-free choices), apple and cheese boards, charcuterie boats, Bavarian pretzels, mozzarella sticks with Melba sauce, and the unique "walking taco.
• Events: Nine Pin hosts a variety of events, including trivia nights, live music, and seasonal celebrations. The cidery also offers private event spaces for gatherings.

Final Pour:

No matter your taste, these breweries are worth a visit. Grab a pint, meet the people behind the beer, and enjoy the best of Albany’s craft brewing scene. 🍻

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