If you ever want a brewery and a distillery in the same building, this is your place! Artisanal Brew Works is located just a few blocks east of Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) not too far from beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. Their large facility (relative to what I was expecting) sits in the backyard of what I can only assume is the owners house. As you walk up to the facility, you notice an expansive front patio which will be lovely once the weather warms.
Front Patio of Artisanal Brew Works
When you enter the facility, you are immediately greeted with large windows that open into the brewhouse. There is also a giant copper still for Update Distilling's operations. The Distillery's cocktail and tasting bar is downstairs, while the brewery's taproom is upstairs and overlooks the production floor.
Beer upstairs. Liquor downstairs.
While my wife and mother-in-law enjoyed cocktails from downstairs, my father-in-law and I headed upstairs to the taproom to sample their offerings.
I tried three things, the SPA Session IPA, the Derailleur IPA, and the iMango IPA. The iMango is a version of the Derailleur, with mango (as expected) and different dry hop. I much preferred it to the Derailleur, and in fact was my favorite and what I went back and got a pint of after the sampler was complete. Both the session IPA and Derailleur were too malty and toasty and needed an extra kick to help with balance. My father-in-law tried the brown, which I also enjoyed. One thing is very clear: all of their beer is very clean and well made, but not necessarily my style at the moment.
From left to right: SPA Session IPA, Derailleur IPA, iMango IPA
One last note, the brewery itself was not currently serving food, however there were warming cases of burritos from a local Mexican restaurant. Facebook also indicates they have food from many local restaurants deliver and have popup food nights, so having grub with your pint is an option.