I must admit, when I first came across beer from Industrial Arts Brewing Company, I judged the book by its cover. It was late 2016 or early 2017, and I was living in Brooklyn at the time, where there is obviously no shortage of beer. I took a trip to our local beer store, and tucked between the likes of Other Half, Transmitter, and Evil Twin was a new can I hadn’t seen before - neon “Metric” lettering and geometric shapes boldly stamped on a metallic background, and it just looked cool, so I bought it. I was not disappointed. Not long after, it wasn’t just at the niche craft beer stores; it was on the menu at the restaurant I worked in and at the bodega on the corner, and a conversation point with other beer-loving friends. Suddenly, Industrial Arts beer was seemingly everywhere, and in the 5+ years since, their name and reputation have only gotten stronger. And to be clear, that’s not just because of the can artwork; it’s because they’ve continued to produce consistently good, clean beer.
Given founder Jeff O’Neil’s history, this isn’t a surprise. Not only was he the brewmaster at Peekskill Brewery for several years; he was also the brains behind Ithaca Beer Company’s famous Flower Power IPA, so his talent for beer making is no secret. Now, O’Neil has two successful Industrial Arts brewery/taproom locations to his name, plus a third on the way, and this area is all the better for it. Known primarily for its fresh, hoppy beers that use high-quality ingredients, Industrial Arts Brewing Company has become a mainstay in the Hudson Valley beer scene.
Although I wasn’t able to speak with O’Neil myself, he has been open about his brewing philosophies in the past, and his beers often speak for themselves. He seems to have an affinity for the process and the gadgets associated with brewing, and always brews with intention. This is most apparent through what Industrial Arts calls its “Core Series,” a group of always available and consistently well-made, well-loved brews (such as Metric, a pilsner, and Power Tools, an IPA) that clearly and humbly represent their style, while staying light, crisp, and crushable. To satisfy the urge to experiment, Industrial Arts also has their “State of the Art” series, featuring small batch brews in styles that are perhaps less well-known to the average American beer drinker (such as their Düsseldorf-style Altbier), or are more in line with current trends (like their NYHG Hazy IPA, which uses all NY state-grown Cascade hops).
Beyond simply making beer, Industrial Arts has also committed itself to strengthening the Hudson Valley communities that have fostered its growth. Their “Landscape Lager Series” is a seasonal rotation of beers that donates 100% of its profits to local organizations that work to better the physical or social landscape we live in: for Spring, they made a Helles Bock Lager in support of Sustainable Hudson Valley, and just released for this Summer, a Classic Lager in support of Fareground.
Needless to say, I’m pretty happy I took a chance on a cool-looking can all those years ago, and I’m even happier that I’ve since moved to the Hudson Valley and now work down the road from the Beacon location. It’s been a pleasure to watch Industrial Arts Brewing Company grow, and I’m excited to see what their future brings. In the meantime, I’ll likely spend much of my free time this summer sipping on a Tools of the Trade (or maybe a Torque Wrench, depending on the day).
Homespun Foods currently has several Industrial Arts beers available in our beer shop:
‘Metric’ Pils (4pk)
‘Pocket Wrench’ Pale Ale (4pk)
State of the Art Series ‘Bière de Garde’ Farmhouse Ale
State of the Art Series ‘Premium Lager’
Or, visit one of Industrial Arts Brewing Company’s taproom locations:
Thursday & Friday, 2-8pm
Saturday, 12-8pm
Sunday, 12-7pm
Garnerville: 55 W Railroad Ave, 25 | Garnerville, NY 10923
Beacon: 511 Fishkill Ave. | Beacon, NY 12508