Popular craft breweries in New York: 6 places to know
Six New York breweries across New York City, Albany, and western New York, with an important Brooklyn Brewery closure note.
New York craft beer cannot be reduced to Brooklyn. This list starts with four New York City names, then reaches Albany and western New York to show how hop-forward beer, mixed fermentation, dark releases, and neighborhood taprooms connect across the state.
The short answer is Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Fidens Brewing Company, Mortalis Brewing Company, Grimm Artisanal Ales, and Finback Brewery. They are not the only breweries worth visiting in New York. They are a curated starting point with active first-party locations and enough stylistic range to plan a useful trip.
1. Other Half Brewing Company
Where: Brooklyn and other New York locations
Other Half grew from a Brooklyn brewery into a larger New York presence while keeping hop-forward releases at the center. The official location pages are the best way to choose a taproom and confirm the day's menu.
Visit Other Half Brewing Company's official site
2. Brooklyn Brewery
Where: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Brewery remains an important New York name, but its taproom is not currently a brewery stop. The official site says its Williamsburg home is temporarily closed while the company moves to 1 Wythe Avenue. Do not plan a visit until the brewery announces that the new space is open.
Visit Brooklyn Brewery's official site
3. Fidens Brewing Company
Where: Albany
Fidens gives the Capital Region a place on the list through a taproom and an especially visible hop-forward program. Check the brewery's own channels for current releases because availability changes quickly.
Visit Fidens Brewing Company's official site
4. Mortalis Brewing Company
Where: Avon and Buffalo
Mortalis uses a mythology-driven identity across fruit-forward beer, strong dark releases, and hop-focused options. Its western New York locations make it a separate trip from the New York City cluster.
Visit Mortalis Brewing Company's official site
5. Grimm Artisanal Ales
Where: Brooklyn
Grimm's Brooklyn brewery and taproom bring IPA, lager, sour beer, and mixed-fermentation work under one roof. The range makes it a useful stop for comparing styles rather than chasing one famous label.
Visit Grimm Artisanal Ales's official site
6. Finback Brewery
Where: Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island City
Finback operates several New York City spaces with beer programs that often include hop-forward releases, lager, dark beer, and collaborations. Use the official spaces and hours pages because each location has its own schedule.
Visit Finback Brewery's official site
How to plan a New York brewery trip
Treat New York City as one trip and upstate as another. Other Half, Grimm, and Finback can anchor a city route, while Brooklyn Brewery requires a relocation check. Albany and western New York are too far apart to tack onto the same casual weekend.
If the menus get dense, use what an IPA is and how to order a beer flight as quick references.
Before you go
Tap lists, hours, ticketing, food service, and release limits can change. Check every brewery's official site on the day of your visit. Bring a designated driver or arrange transportation, order smaller pours when comparing several beers, and skip any stop that makes the route rushed.
Related questions
What are some popular craft breweries in New York?
This guide includes Other Half Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Fidens Brewing Company, Mortalis Brewing Company, Grimm Artisanal Ales, and Finback Brewery. The list is a curated starting point, not a universal ranking.
Which New York city is best for a brewery trip?
New York City has the largest cluster in this guide. Albany and western New York add strong destinations, but the distances make separate plans more useful.
Do New York breweries require reservations?
Policies vary by brewery, location, event, and release. Check each brewery's official hours and visit page before traveling, especially for tours, rural destinations, and limited releases.
Official brewery sources
- Other Half Brewing Company
- Brooklyn Brewery
- Fidens Brewing Company
- Mortalis Brewing Company
- Grimm Artisanal Ales
- Finback Brewery
First-party visitor details were checked on September 18, 2026.
