I’ve heard from readers who are using KBM brewery profiles as craft beer travel guides, and I couldn’t be happier!
So we leaned into the travel aspect and headed 1-1/2 hours north to Hudson, NY. The crew included Mrs. KBM and our adorable French Bulldog Jameson, who naturally brought a “ground-level” perspective.
Chartered in 1785, Hudson was the first officially chartered city in the United States after the American Revolution. After decades of industrial decline, a 1990s renaissance transformed the former industrial town into a destination for restaurants, arts, shopping and tourism.
Today, Hudson blends its industrial past with a distinctly funky present, and six breweries within the city limits make it a target-rich environment for KBM.
Centrally located in downtown Hudson, Pocketbook Hotel was a perfect home base. The extensively remodeled brick factory opened as a hotel in November 2025, but the building dates to 1885, when it was a textile factory producing — of all things — pocketbooks.
We loved exploring its communal bathhouse, open-fire restaurant, café, bar, subterranean nightclub, street-level market and galleries (Jameson enjoys mid-century canine impressionists).
Highly recommended!
Owner Aaron Maas took an unusual route into brewing: culinary school, wine and finally craft beer. His college advisor helped him land a job at Amici Vineyards, where the owner noticed Aaron talked more about beer than wine. “Maybe you’re looking at the wrong industry,” he suggested.
That conversation changed Aaron’s career.
Opened in 2022, Upper Depot takes its name from the building's railroad history. Old maps referred to the original 1871 train station as “Hudson Upper.”
Today, the former depot features soaring ceilings, dark wood, multi-level seating and expansive patios. We called it “polished history.”
Aaron has been brewing for about 15 years, inspired in part by Abita Purple Haze (raspberry wheat lager), which showed him that beer could have “layers of flavor and personality.”
His philosophy today: “Make approachable, flavorful beer that people want to come back and drink again.”
It works: Upper Depot was named the 2025 TAP New York People’s Choice Award Best Brewery in New York State.
Rather than list every beer we tasted (they were all excellent!), I'll leverage my journalistic ethos of the "Story Behind the Beer" for two favorites:
Pete’s Pilsner honors assistant brewer Pete Goldman, “an absolute legend here,” according to Aaron.
Pete's brewing journey began more than 30 years ago when his daughters surprised him with a homebrewing kit. He enjoyed good beer, but had never considered making it himself.
“That first batch tasted pretty good,” Pete recalls. A hobby became a passion.
Pete and Aaron later worked together at Hudson Brewing. When Aaron opened Upper Depot, he knew who he wanted beside him.
Pete eventually retired, but Upper Depot became his “retirement dream job.” His mantra? “If you sit, you get rusty.”
Today, Pete is the brewery's backbone, doing whatever needs to be done.
And the beer named after him? A delicious Pilsner priced at just $5!
Long Way Home Saison - Last fall, Jonathan Spanos of Slow Down Brewing in Greece and his wife stopped at Upper Depot while “on holiday” in the States. They met Aaron, started talking brewing and soon developed an international collaboration: Long Way Home Saison. That style lent itself to be a “bridge beer”— something with character but not attitude, opening the door to craft beer without dragging you through it.
Some beers take the long way home. The best ones are worth the trip.
The Whale Belly food truck delivered excellent smashed double burgers, smoked wings and other brewery-friendly fare.
“What excites me the most right now is that I still feel like I’m learning," Aaron said. "Running a small brewery means wearing a lot of different hats, and honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of the job.”
It’s time for you to get up to Upper Depot!
Founded in 2021 by four longtime friends and industry veterans, Return was drawn to Hudson by its walkability and vibrant hospitality scene. Its taproom occupies a former tire factory, while the brewing happens at its Catskill outpost.
The name captures their philosophy: creating “Beers to Return To”— flavorful, balanced and harmonious beers that keep you coming back.
Return is spacious, anchored by a large U-shaped bar, with garage doors opening onto expansive outdoor areas.
During our visit, England was playing Argentina in the World Cup and the place was packed with British expats. Argentina had just scored again when Jameson introduced himself to an England fan — who happened to be the tallest, largest man I’ve ever encountered — by licking the back of his calf.
Fortunately, Jameson is irresistibly cute and apparently excellent at distracting people from disappointing soccer results.
Return offers a wide range of beers, but three stood out:
Polished Pilsner – 5.2%: Bright, floral and refreshing, driven by German Tettnanger hops.
Come Back Kölsch – 4.2%: MKBM called it “very drinkable, balanced and session-y.” Even better, biscuit notes come partly from excess Black Seed Bagels — a clever approach to reducing food waste.
Pastel Palace II Kveik Ale 9%: A creative beer-wine hybrid using strawberries, blackberries and local heritage wine grapes. Gently effervescent, berry-forward and slightly funky.
Nice folks, unique space, creative beer and a philosophy built around making beers worth returning to.
I'll return to Return — and suggest you do the same.
Local beer is worth traveling for.
Not just for the beer — but for the people, places and stories behind it.
Hudson gave us all three — and then some.
Take a trip and find out for yours.
Contact John Bart at TheKatonahBeerMan@gmail.com or visit thekatonahbeerman.wordpress.com.
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