LIBERTY, NEW YORK

Located at the crossroads of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley tucked into the valley, 17 WEST BREWERY opened November 12, 2022. A local family-owned brewpub with proprietary beers crafted by co-owner Michael Foster, 17 West’s a dandy blue collar hangout with a brew-kettled pub area and left side dining area along the wall.

17 West’s small L-shaped seven-seat bar features a raw wood bar back storing ten draught handles. An open kitchen supplies expansive pub fare.

Tented picnic tables with Edison lights and tiled floor reside under the small aluminum-and-wood side deck.

My wife and I gathered at the bar to try all five well-rounded, lightly hued homebrews available this warm Saturday afternoon in September ’23.

Spritzy lemony orange zesting picked up engaging sugary spicing for Frosted Pilsner, bound by its raw-honeyed pilsner malt base.

Delicate light-bodied True Blonde Ale sprayed delicate citric hop spicing across mild crystal wheat malts.

Doughy cornmeal sugaring sweetened Honey Wheat before dainty orange lollipop tartness countered latent lemony whiskey souring beneath the surface.

Tangy orange, pineapple, and peach sweetness picked up mild lemony grapefruit bittering for Hazy Double IPA as dank pine resin and wispy herbal licks settled over buttery pale malts.

Super-tart sour ale, Wild Berry, linked pureed blueberry, blackberry and raspberry rasping to sharply acidic white grape vinegaring, strong cider briskness and salty lemon liming.