WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL REGION & SARATOGA, NY
New York’s Capital Region is not only home to the state’s Capital, Albany, it’s home to much-much more, including an impressive and emerging craft beer scene. Stretching from the northern tip of the Catskills to the southern tip of the Adirondack Mountains, the Capital Region includes Schenectady, Troy, and world-famous Saratoga, all surrounded by charming small towns. With more than 40 local craft breweries in the region, and dozens more within an hour’s drive, the Capital Region craft beer scene is certainly worthy of exploring. Throw in a handful of beer gardens and “better-beer-bars” and you’ve got yourself quite a beer adventure to enjoy.
With NY State now ranking #2 in the USA with its number of breweries, there are plenty of great experiences to be had. For many, craft beer is a lifestyle. From the places we visit, to the food we eat, and even the music that we listen to, craft beer always seems to play a role. For the craft beer enthusiasts, we would like this platform to enhance your appreciation of the craft beer experience as you enjoy the all that Capital Region has to offer.
This is a personal journey, so we encourage you to have your own adventure! Take a road trip to a brewery, ride your bike to a craft beer festival, and share your craft beer experiences and build upon your love of genuine craft beer and the lifestyle that it has to offer.
Cheers and Enjoy the Capital Region/Saratoga!
TRUE BREW EXCLUSIVE
James A. Peterson
Leave it to Jesse Sommer, the combatively loquacious founder of New Scotland Spirits, to turn his Tasting Room’s hours of operation into a political statement.
“[We’re open] 11am to 11pm, every day of the week,” he says, hand balled into a fist with index finger pointed skyward. “That’s every federal holiday. Yom Kippur. Christmas.”
FEATURED PARTNER
New Scotland Spirits founder Jesse Sommer is a former U.S. Army paratrooper and officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He was twice awarded the bronze star for combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Responsible for the “feel” of his company’s brands, Jesse mines the Town of New Scotland’s history and culture for inspiration. At the company’s helm, he spearheads product development, social media programming, marketing, supply chain management, sales strategies, and the business fundamentals underpinning the company’s distilling operations. We wanted to learn more about the man behind the whiskey, so we shot down to his new Tasting Room on Albany’s Lark Street to sample some spirits and ask Jesse 7 Questions.
by James Peterson
FEATURED PARTNER
ARGYLE
BALLSTON SPA
CAMBRIDGE
CAIRO
CHATHAM
CHERRY PLAINS
CLIFTON PARK
COLONIE
COOPERSTOWN
DUANESBURG
EARLTON
EAST BERNE
FORT ANN
FORT EDWARD
GRANVILLE
GREENWICH
GUILDERLAND
HALFMOON
HILLSDALE
HOWES CAVE
LAKE GEORGE
MECHANICVILLE
MIDDLEBURGH
NASSAU
NORTH HOOSICK
NORTH HUDSON
RENSSELAER
RENSSELAERVILLE
SCHUYLERVILLE
VALATIE