Return Brewing: Craft Beer with Hudson Valley Roots and a Global Vision
Nestled in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Return Brewing is a brewery that blends local heritage, innovative craft, and global inspiration. With its flagship taproom in Hudson, New York, and an outpost in Catskill overlooking the Catskill Creek, Return Brewing offers both a welcoming social space and a bold brewing philosophy you won’t soon forget.
A Brewery Born of Place and Purpose
Return Brewing was founded by a team of experienced brewers and industry professionals who returned home to the Hudson Valley with a vision: to create beers you’ll want to “return to again and again.” Their name embodies the idea of returning—to place, to quality, to craft.
Their Hudson taproom is located at 725 State Street, Hudson, NY, walkable from the train station and built as a gathering spot. They also operate a production‑facility taproom (the “Outpost”) at 201 Water Street, Catskill, NY. Return Brewing+1
Alongside their spacious indoor and outdoor beer garden settings, their two locations allow them to brew, serve, and host in authentic local context.
What Sets Return Brewing Apart
- Three Distinct Brewing Lines: Return offers a structured lineup of beer categories: “Tavern” (approachable, high‑quality staple styles), “Garden” (local and seasonal ingredients from the Hudson Valley, foraged or farm‑grown), and “Archive” (barrel‑aged blends and experimental styles). craftbrewingbusiness.com+1
- Hyper‑local Ingredient Focus + Global Sourcing: While they root many beers in local malts, hops, and produce, they don’t shy away from sourcing world‑class raw materials (for example, Tettnang hops from Germany) for styles that benefit from global input. Chronogram+1
- Community & Environment: Their taprooms are designed to be inclusive—family‑friendly, dog‑friendly, and offering non‑alcoholic options as well. They also take part in regional partnerships and sustainable practices. Return Brewing
Signature Beers & What to Try
Here are a few examples of the types of beers you’ll find at Return Brewing:
- Come Back Kölsch – A light‑body Kölsch brewed with New York state malts and hops, and interestingly incorporating surplus bagels from a local bakery to reduce food waste. A crisp, easy‑drinking beer built for repeat enjoyment. Return Brewing+1
- Polished Pilsner – A clean, crisp pilsner featuring high‑end Tettnang hops sourced from Germany, demonstrating their commitment to quality even in staple styles. Chronogram
- Garden Series Sours – Beers made with Hudson Valley produce (such as peaches, apricots, rhubarb, spruce needles) and aged in barrels, reflecting their experimental side and sense of place. Chronogram+1
Visiting Their Taprooms
- Hudson, NY Location: Head to 725 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534. Hours vary but generally include afternoon to evening weekends and later hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Return Brewing+1
- Catskill Outpost: 201 Water Street, Catskill, NY 12414 — offering a scenic beer‑garden atmosphere along the creek. Great for those doing a Hudson Valley day trip. Return Brewing+1
Visiting either location offers a chance to sample both their core lineup and small‑batch experimental beers, meet the team, and enjoy the atmosphere of the Hudson Valley craft‑beer scene.
Why It’s Worth the Trip
If you’re a craft beer fan exploring upstate New York, Return Brewing offers more than just good beer. It offers place, purpose and process. Whether you enjoy a light, well‑crafted beer you’ll want again, or you’re curious about barrels, wild yeast, seasonal ingredients and the edge of brewing innovation, Return brings something for you.
Plus, the combination of friendly taproom vibe, local sourcing, and proximity to other Hudson Valley amenities makes it a great stop for visitors as well as locals.
Leave a Reply