Brews and Views: Where to Whet Your Whistle

After a long trek in the woods, there’s nothing more refreshing than taking a splash in a cold, crystal-clear waterfall — except for maybe a frothy pint of delicious craft beer at a local brewery. Here in the Catskills, New York’s verdant, trail-lined, brewery-dotted watershed, you can take in the spectacular views before indulging in one of the Catskills’ many delicious brews.

The keys to successfully pulling off this favorite pastime is to pack appropriately (high socks and swimmers suggested), mind your hiking etiquette (stick to the trail; leave nothing behind), and know where to whet your whistle. Below are our favorite waterfall hikes paired with nearby breweries. Oh, and always opt for a flight when you settle in at the bar — you’ll want more than just one taste.

Kaaterskill Falls

The hike: A modest, 1.4-mile roundtrip trek to the highest cascading waterfall in the state. The iconic setting has inspired artists for centuries, so bring your camera (or your easel), and don’t miss views of nearby Bastian Falls from the overlook. It’s a waterfall double feature.

Knock one back: Grab a picnic table outside Woodstock Brewing. The fifteen barrel brewery has something for everyone, from fruit-forward sours to vegan bar bites. If you’re really hankering for a post-hike feast, fan-favorite Phoenicia Diner is just down the road.

Riedlbauer’s Waterfall

The hike: A short, peaceful walk through the woods that starts at an old German resort and ends at a wide, picturesque waterfall with a little plunge pool underneath.

Knock one back: Settle in by the creek at Crossroads Brewing Company. Their taproom in Catskill is housed in a refurbished Daily Mail printing facility and features food trucks when the weather is a bit warmer.

Diamond Notch Falls

The hike: Expect great views, peace and quiet, and plenty of pools perfect for a cold dip. Park at the Spruceton Road Trailhead for a three-mile round trip walk to the falls.

Knock one back: Pull up to West Kill Brewing, where everything comes fresh from their scenic, on-site 127-acre farm — from the fruits and honey they use in their brews to the pure mountain water and wild yeast that make it all possible.

High Falls

The hike: An easy, 1.3-mile loop with one helluva payoff: A majestic, thundering, towering waterfall that’s well worth the hour-long nature immersion.

Knock one back: Drive up to Suarez this mom and pop production brewery, and pick up an unfiltered German-style Pilsner and a fresh-baked pretzel or two. Be sure to order a couple of the vintage list beers that will help fund technical education and career advancement for Black, indigenous, and people of color in the brewing and distilling industries.

Zabriskie’s Waterfall

The hike: When it’s hot, do as the Bard College kids do: Follow the path by the water tower in the parking lot on Blithewood Road near campus, then strip to your swimmers and see how long you can stand the refreshing, ice-cold water from Zabrisk- ie’s. Bring snacks (or do a beer run in Kingston on the way in) to make use of all the picnic tables.

Knock one back: In the shaded patio at Kingston Standard Brewing Co., the white-walled, industrial building is the ideal place to dry off with a few top-notch, small-batch brews, snacks like Björn Qorn and pretzels, or more substantial fare like lobster rolls and pizza.

By Daniel Schwartz

Photo by Read McKendree