We are big fans of buying local and when we heard that there is an entire evening decided to New York State beers during Saratoga Beer Week, we just had to get our tickets. Some of our favorite local breweries are represented too. We actually have quite a few local breweries and we're lucky to have them, with more on the way. Here are some of our favorite Albany area breweries. 

Adirondack Brewery has a very unique presentation of their beer, as they pay a tribute to our Native American past as well as the wilderness of the Adirondack Mountains. Founded in 1999 and located in Lake George, NY, this brewery has a complete set of styles available including the usual beers - pale ale, brown ale, blonde lager, and so on but also offers some great seasonal beers such as their Snow Trout Stout, a Belgium White Peach, Double Mocha Stout, and the always intriguing Wheat-er-Melon which has a hint of watermelon. the brewery also just finished an expansion which boosted their capacity and also the taproom too.

Found on tap in many of it's hometown bars in Saratoga, the Olde Saratoga Brewing Company has been a staple of the city since 1997. Olde Saratoga is the fourth largest brewery in New York State and produces some quality staple beer styles including the Saratoga Lager and Saratoga IPA. You can sample their offerings at many local bars but also by stopping by their tasting room in Saratoga Springs. The also produce a local root beer that is out of this world and a perfect beverage for your designated driver.

We can't lie - we have a special love for Brown's Brewing Company in Troy. The best IPA we've ever had is made by Brown's. Perhaps you've had better but beer is very subjective and you know what you love when you have it! Among their other offerings they also have a Tomhannock Pilsner named for the water supply that helps make their beer awesome. Brown's always has a ton of regular beers on tap and an incredible selection of seasonal beer too - including their near famous Pumpkin Ale in the fall and sometimes their smoked rauchbier in the winter. They have regular beer suppers too where their award winning beer is paired with their equally as wonderful food.

We're looking forward to sampling beer from these three locals as well as all of the other New York beers at the Saratoga Beer Week's New York State of Mind night on Friday 2/22/2013.

Which of these three local beers are you most looking forward to sampling?

Saratoga Beer Week happens from February 19th through 23rd in Saratoga Springs, NY. Prices to various events vary and are available online. If you love beer and a week of nothing but beer sounds good to you, then the Saratoga Beer Week is your kind of a week. It’s worth using up that rollover vacation time from last year, if you have it. Or just come for one day. Or two. Or the entire week – it’s entirely up to you.

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