Raise a Pint To The

Music

New York's best craft beers to drink at a festival, a concert, or anywhere the music moves you.

By The Drink Craft ·May 2026·8 min read

A great show deserves a great pour. New York's craft beer scene is as loud, diverse, and unapologetic as its music and the two were made for each other.

There's a ritual to concert-going that doesn't get talked about enough: the pre-show pint, the mid-set cold one, the post-encore toast. Whether you're catching an indie folk headliner at Governors Ball, sweating through a hip-hop set at Afropunk, or standing on a farm near Buffalo, the beer in your hand tells its own story.

You can order great New York Craft beer online and delivered to your door, for your tailgate, campsite or for any festival at https://drinknycraft.com/

New York's craft breweries from the Buffalo to Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes to the Bronx have quietly built one of the most exciting beer landscapes in the country. We dug through the borough tap lists and upstate tasting rooms to bring you the best local brews to seek out this festival season.

Four Beers,

Four Vibes

Think of these as your setlist. Each one pairs beautifully with a different kind of musical moment — and every single one is proudly New York-made.

West Kill — Brookie (American Lager)

Crisp, clean, and built for the outdoors, Brookie is an American lager brewed with Iroquois white corn from the Mohawk Valley. Light-bodied and refreshing, it offers subtle grain sweetness with a smooth, easy finish that keeps things simple and satisfying. The perfect companion for a day by the water—best enjoyed with a rod and reel in hand.

Perfect for: Indie rock, long afternoons on the lawn

Talking Cursive × Four Sons Spirits (Toasted Coconut Cream Ale)

A smooth, easy-drinking cream ale with a tropical twist, brewed in collaboration with Four Sons Spirits. Light-bodied and refreshingly crisp, it’s layered with toasted coconut for a warm, nutty aroma and a touch of creamy sweetness. Subtle grain character keeps it balanced, finishing clean while leaving just a hint of coconut on the palate. A laid-back, flavorful sipper with New York roots.

Perfect for: Electronic, hip-hop, anything loud, anything New York

West Kill — Don’t Feed the Bears (Hazy IPA)

Juicy, soft, and packed with mountain-fresh hop character, Don’t Feed the Bears is a classic hazy IPA that leans into ripe tropical fruit and bright citrus. Expect notes of mango, pineapple, and orange zest layered over a pillowy, smooth body with low bitterness. Aromatic and easy-drinking, it finishes clean while still delivering big, hazy flavor.

Perfect for: Jazz, folk, experimental acts

Strangebird — Bird Light (American Lager)

Crisp, delicate, and quietly expressive, Bird Light is Strangebird’s take on the American lager. Brewed with Pilsen, Heidelberg, and Carapils malts, it pours a light straw hue with a touch of natural haze. Subtle notes of honey, biscuit, and fresh white bread lead the way, followed by a gentle floral lift of honeysuckle and rose. Smooth, clean, and refreshing, it’s a beautifully refined lager with just a bit more character.

Perfect for: Pop, classics, any reunion tour

Where to find them

New York Festivals

Worth The Lineup

These festivals have earned reputations not just for their music but for taking the food and drink experience seriously — which increasingly means local craft on tap.

• Governors Ball -NYC's flagship summer festival has expanded its craft beer footprint year over year. Look for dedicated tap areas featuring Brooklyn Brewery and rotating guest taps from Queens and the Bronx.
  

• Hoochenany Festival -A cultural institution as much as a music festival. Lineup: Toadies, Modest Mouse, Crackers, LIT and many more.

• Borderlands 2026 -Three day music and art festival with camping. Lineup: Headliners include Alabama Shakes, Jack White and Lord Huron, Head and the Heart, and Pixies. Other acts include The Rollin Rust, Clay Street Unit and St Paul & Broken Bones