"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness."
-Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson nailed it.
Farming is not just about food on the table. It contributes more than 5 percent to the U.S. GDP, supports over 10 percent of American jobs, sustains rural communities, and drives exports. Farming truly is the backbone of life — and sometimes, of beer.
This fall, the KBM Outdoor Series recommends a field trip close to home: Plan Bee Farm Brewery in Poughkeepsie.
Plan Bee isn’t your average brewery. It’s a farm-to-glass experience rooted in the Hudson Valley, where every pour reflects the land, the season, and the creativity of owners Emily and Evan Watson.
The couple met in college in Indiana. Emily grew up on a farm in Ohio and later worked for a Hudson River environmental nonprofit. Evan pursued music, drawing inspiration from the Allman Brothers and Eric Clapton. The pair moved to New York City in 2007, where Evan regularly played clubs like The Bitter End and Arlene’s Grocery.
His talent earned a record deal and tours with artists including Meat Loaf, Southside Johnny, Jakob Dylan, Heart, and Spin Doctors. That was “Plan A.”
But after years of touring and with family life in mind, the Watsons turned their energy toward brewing. That became “Plan B.”
“We purchased our 25-acre farm in Poughkeepsie on May 5, 2015," Emily said. "We were determined to rescue the 1830s barn left standing on the hill. There were many ups and downs through this project. Many moments when we thought we might never open. But, thankfully, it did finally open in 2018. We had a dream and our journey has proved that dreams can come true if you work hard and never give up.”
Their story, like their beers, is rooted in perseverance and place.
Pulling up to Plan Bee feels different from most breweries. Instead of warehouse rows, visitors find open fields, a weathered 1830s barn, and crops swaying in the breeze. It feels like a farm first, brewery second.
The rustic taproom is relaxed and cozy, while the outdoor area offers picnic tables, room for kids to roam, and sweeping Hudson Valley views. On sunny afternoons, with live music drifting across the fields — sometimes from Evan himself — the scene feels more like a backyard festival than a brewery stop.
Evan’s path into brewing began with curiosity. A younger palate intrigued by Guinness Extra Stout paired with chocolate soon discovered the aromas of banana and clove in a 1990s bottle of Michelob Hefeweizen. The question — how did those flavors get there? — led him deep into fermentation science.
“At Plan Bee Farm Brewery, our beers are created by the limitation of local resources," Evan said. "From the yeast we cultivate from our bees’ honeycomb, to the grain and hops in our fields, if it isn’t in our community it doesn’t enter our beer.”
That philosophy translates into beers that are:
Tangy & bright – with a gentle tartness, like green apple or sparkling cider.
Earthy & rustic – hints of hay, herbs, or nearby fields.
Fruity & floral – whispers of stone fruit, citrus, or wildflowers.
These aren’t “weird beers.” They’re cousins of natural wines and farmhouse ciders: layered, adventurous, and deeply connected to the land.
Glenn enjoyed the Barn Beer, describing it as floral, frosty, funky, and farmhouse.
Jeff favored the Cellar Beer Lager (refreshing, clean) and the Spontaneous Apricot (bright with citrus and fruit).
I sampled widely — pepper-spiced brews, pickle-flavored surprises, and more. Each reflected both science and serendipity.
When you visit, try a full flight. They also serve wine and cider.
Plan Bee offers light snacks in the taproom, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own picnic. Our crew neglected to coordinate and ended up with four pounds of cheese — but no one complained.
Bring a basket, sip something wild, and soak in the view. You’ll leave with more than a pint. You’ll leave with a story.
The Katonah Beer Man can be reached at TheKatonahBeerMan@gmail.com or visit thekatonahbeerman.wordpress.com.
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