You might already know about our city’s culinary reputation, but have you sampled the Saratoga Springs craft beverage scene yet? Saratoga Springs is home to several regional wineries, breweries, and distilleries. This means it’s surprisingly easy to find local wines, as well as craft beer, spirits, and cocktails around town.
Visitors can also enjoy tours and tastings at most of these spots. To help you navigate the Saratoga Springs craft beverage scene, here are a few of our favorite places to visit for the perfect pour.
The Saratoga Winery
One of the best known places for craft beverages in Saratoga Springs is, of course, our most popular winery. The Saratoga Winery & Tasting Room is a short, 4-mile drive west of downtown Saratoga Springs.
Their warm, rustic tasting room features over 15 handcrafted wines, all made with grapes grown in New York state. You’ll also find eight local, craft beers on tap as well as local distilled spirits. Enjoy tasting flights and a menu of light bites, plus wood-fired pizza and live music every week.
Racing City Brewing Company & Oliva Vineyards
Less than two miles from Broadway, Racing City Brewing Company is one of the newest breweries in Saratoga Springs. This fun, lively hangout offers an ever-changing array of flavorful craft beers on tap, each one more creative than the next.
If it’s wine you prefer, Racing City has you covered. They’ve partnered with Oliva Vineyards to offer their selection of local wines, also made on-site.
Druthers Brewing Company
For the best combination of craft beer and comfort food, it’s hard to top the taps at Druthers. This friendly Saratoga Springs gastropub brews all of their beers in-house. Located on central Broadway near our Saratoga Arms hotel, Druthers is a popular spot for social Saratogians.
Walt and Whitman
The new kid on the Saratoga Springs craft beverage block is Walt and Whitman. But don’t be fooled by youth, these guys know craft beer. Oh, and craft coffee.
Housed in the former headquarters of The Saratogian newspaper, Walt and Whitman brings something fresh to the craft beverage scene. Where else can you swing by for a fresh espresso roast in the morning and pull a pint in the afternoon? We also love Walt and Whitman’s street-style food menu. You’ll find beer garden classics like pizza and hotdogs paired alongside an unexpected sweet treat: their signature pop tarts.
Saratoga Courage Distillery
Just a short drive north of downtown Saratoga Springs, you’ll find the Saratoga Courage Distillery. Founded by a pair of local pharmacists, Saratoga Courage uses water from their natural mineral spring well to create their spirits. Their signature product is the award-winning Pick Six Vodka, made right here in Saratoga Springs.
The distillery is unfortunately not open for tours. However, you’ll find Pick Six and their Devils Den Moonshine at many of the top bars and restaurants in Saratoga Springs.
Upstate Distilling
This bicycle factory turned distillery is a short drive from our downtown hotel and a few minutes from Saratoga Spa State Park. Upstate Distilling sources all their ingredients from upstate New York. Their specialty? Rye whiskey, a local bourbon made from a blend of corn and rye.
Upstate Distilling will soon open a new tasting room, but you can find their signature whiskey at a number of restaurants and bars around Saratoga Springs.
Stay with us at Saratoga Arms to sample the best local Saratoga Springs craft beverage bars and restaurants. Book your next trip to Saratoga Springs today.