On a hot summer day, it’s almost always cooler in the suburbs than it is in the concrete jungle of New York City. If you’re looking for a quick escape from the city by train to cool off with a cold beer, there are a whole bunch of breweries that are accessible with a train ride out of Penn Station or Grand Central and a quick walk. So grab a backpack, grab a train ticket, stay hydrated, and consider these day-tripping options this summer.
Bright Eye Beer Co, Long Beach, NY
Train Stop: Long Beach, LIRR Long Beach Branch
Trip Time from Manhattan: 57 minutes
What to know: This beachside brewery is practically spitting distance from the LIRR terminal at Long Beach, and is conveniently on the walk from the station to the beach. A hot tip for beachgoers: you can buy a combined train/beach pass from any LIRR vending machine. On your way back to the city, the Long Beach Branch boasts three other breweries at stops along the route: Long Beach Brewing and South Shore Craft Brewery at Oceanside, and Barrier at East Rockaway.
What to try: When was the last time you drank an Altbier? How about one with New York State ingredients? The Mad Good Altbier is a nice departure from the hop-forward beers out there. The Regular Slice Blonde Ale hits the spot on a hot summer day.
Twin Elephant Brewing Company, Chatham, NJ
Train Stop: Chatham, NJ Transit Morris & Essex Line
Trip Time from Manhattan: 1 hour, 4 minutes
What to know: A relaxing 20-minute walk through quaint suburbia puts you at this taproom that spots a friendly vibe and cozy patio. Twin Elephant just celebrated their sixth anniversary, and if you’re on the east side of the Hudson, you might not know much about them. But they have a ton of Jersey stans who promise you it’s worth the trip.
What to try: Their Nosh series of American IPAs are always reliably bright and hoppy, but don’t sleep on their Zen Fountain Fruited Sours or the Forevrmore, a light, hoppy, crushable take on an English Pale Ale.
Obercreek Brewing Company, Wappingers Falls, NY
Train Stop: New Hamburg, Metro-North Hudson Line
Trip Time from Manhattan: 1 hour, 40 minutes
What to know: This under-the-radar beer darling of Dutchess County is not just an attractive day-trip option for its beers, but also for its surroundings. Tucked into rural farmland that’s a little over a mile walk along country roads, it’s worth the haul for a relaxing place to drink their uncomplicated, delightful beers on a sunny, warm day.
What to try: Any of their DIPAs will do the trick, their French Press Coffee Stout (pictured above) is a nice afternoon pick-me-up, and be sure to get a bottle of one of their farmhouse ales to share with your drinking companions.
North Fork Brewing Company, Riverhead, NY
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