Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/283958
30 Hudson Valley Parent n April 2014 on Sundays to charities that send in bartenders whose tips go to the cause they're supporting). "We knew we wanted to be in the Hudson Valley," Halayko says. "New- burgh was great because of its rich history as a hard-scrabble town and it's easily accessible from highways and the Hudson River. I spent a year in Germany when I was a student and I knew I wanted to recreate that family-friendly beer garden atmo- sphere with communal tables, games and a spirit of hospitality that makes people feel like they can camp out for five hours and just drink one beer. We never have waiters hovering, trying to flip tables." Instead, they have a 20,000-square-foot, sun-filled steam engine factory space, right on the Hudson River. There's table tennis, air hockey, corn-hole and a vast selection of board games that hark back to an 80's childhood (they even have Twister!). There is a rotating selection of eight seasonal New- burgh brewery beers on tap and a rotating selection of art for sale from local artist; all of which help imbue the indoor garden with a playful, innocent sense of fun. "We don't serve hard alcohol because it's easier to get over-served that way," says Halayko. "We want the whole family to feel comfortable and we made a decision early on to skip the hard stuff. We also wanted to make food a priority, and provide options for people that are sourced from Hudson Valley farmers and are as good as the beers." The taproom offers a selection of food that varies depending on the season, but guests can always count on great, classic beer garden food, including pretzels, sausages and the best French Fries (plain, Rosemary Garlic or Chili, served with house- made ketchup) east of the Isar. Customer Daniel Terwilliger of Wallkill says he is relieved to find a place that the whole family can enjoy. "Newburgh Brewing Company is a great place I can bring my fami- ly and enjoy some great beer and food," says Terwilliger, the father of a 19-month-old and regular at the brewery. "There are plenty of games to keep my son entertained and the crowds are always super friendly." Hyde Park Brewing Company The Hyde Park Brewing Compa- ny, established in 1995, evokes the come-as-you-are atmosphere of a beer garden, but with the more tra- ditional bells and whistles found in an old-fashioned American restau- rant (that just happens to have great live music nights, a rotating selec- tion of eight handcrafted Hyde Park brews and trivia nights). The food skews German (think baby beer brat sliders and bratwurst) with local shout-outs (coach farms cheese platters) and plenty of kid-friendly palate pleasers (mac and cheese, pizza). Hyde Park serves as kind of gateway biergarten for Hud- son Valley families who want to dip their toes into the gemutlichkeit. Hyde Park's proximity to FDR's homestead also helps. Roosevelt, a great booster of family fun and the man indirectly responsible for the presence of beer in the Hudson Valley, would surely approve of the blossoming Hudson Valley beer gardens. For a full family day outing, pop into the old homesteads of FDR, wife Eleanor Roosevelt or Isaac Roo- sevelt (FDR's grandfather) before raising one to the FDR who said "I think this would be a good time for a beer," as he signed the 21st amend- ment repealing Prohibition in 1933. Kathleen Willcox is a freelance writer living in Carmel with her hus- band and 1-year-old twins. Family-friendly beer gardens in the Hudson Valley Newburgh Brewing Company 88 South Colden St. Newburgh 845-569-BEER newburghbrewing.com Hyde Park Brewing Company 4076 Albany Post Rd. Hyde Park 845-229-TAPS hydeparkbrewing.com Keegan Ales 20 St James St. Kingston 845-331-2739 keeganales.com Mill House Brewing Company 289 Mill St. Poughkeepsie 845-485-2739 millhousebrewing.com Gilded Otter 3 Main St. New Paltz 845-256-1700 gildedotter.com BEER GARDENS (Continued from Page 28) With an airy patio and ice cream sandwiches for dessert, the Gilded Otter in New Paltz gets our pick for one of the most kid-friendly breweries in the Hudson Valley.