#4 2020 and the summer of not burning out
As always, thank you for subscribing to learn about places to eat and drink in the Berkshires, Capital Region, and beyond! I send this on September 1st but yes, the goal this summer was not to burn out and make adjustments to do as much as I can well. To keep up the weekly cadence of this newsletter, I'm adjusting the length of each week's dispatch, including scaling back the opening essay to once a month.
There are so many places to eat in drink in these areas and I look forward to sharing some of my recommendations and what’s on my mind each week. See you for more recommendations at the end of the week!
In the Berkshires:
A staple on Pittsfield's North Street, Mission Bar and Tapas had a facelift before reopening last month. I'm excited about their drink menu, some of their sherry drinks, and a plate of boquerones.
The Stagecoach Tavern, located at Racebrook Lodge in Sheffield, will begin serving Sunday brunch starting on 8/30.
Gedney Kitchen located on Gedney Farm is offering dinner service Wednesday-Saturday 5-9, and a Sunday jazz brunch from 10:30-2 pm
Favorite farm breweries in Capital Region and Columbia County:
The New York State Farm Brewing Law was put in to effect in 2013. It was designed "to increase demand for locally grown products to increase economic impact further and create new businesses surrounding the brewing industry." To receive a Farm Brewery license, 60% of of the hops and all other ingredients must be grown in-state. Those requirements will increase in 2024, where no less than 90% of both must be grown in New York State.
Check out three of farm breweries in the Capital Region and Columbia County:
Located a short drive over the Mass/NY border in Nassau, S&S Farm Brewery is a sixth-generation family farm that has been in their family since the 1800s.
Emporium Farm Brewery & Taproom in nearby Rensselaer is not on a farm. Part of what makes the farm brewery license is that brewery does not be located on a farm. The brewery focuses on classic British beer styles, and the taproom also offers cider, wine, and mead on tap.
Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery: Located in Altamont (a short drive from Albany), is on a farm, growing hops, grains, & fruit for their beers & ciders. The tasting room overlooks the hop yard, and in the distance are fields of barley and oats. An excellent weekend day trip.
Farther afield (places perfect for a day trip):
Gracie's Luncheonette is part of the upscale fancy diner trend, and I think they do it really well. They are doing pickup only due to you-know-what, but make sure to get there in time snag some of their donuts.
Over in Hudson, Little Deb's Oasis newest incarnation, Fuego 69, is "bringing you zing-zangy frisky-fresh locavore pescatarian hippie health food right off the grill." Fuego 69 donates 69 cents from each item to local and national racial justice organizations. They are doing good things, always.
What I'm cooking/eating/reading:
I'm *slowly* reading and studying for The Certified Beer Server exam, the first-level certification in the Cicerone program, to deepen my craft beer knowledge. The book that was recommended again and again is Tasting Beer: An Insider's Guide to the World's Greatest Drink.
If you have a spot you think should be featured, food news to share, or a great food day trip from the Berkshires or Capital Region, please email me at thestephanita@gmail.com or message me on Instagram at StephanitaEats.