Why settle for subpar java when the Hudson Valley is home to roasters who know how to make the best of every bean? These 10 shops are worth a stop whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters
Mahopac
Online shop, subscriptions, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: They don’t have a physical location, but fans of Bear Mountain Coffee Roasters can order their 50 different blends online or pick up a bag at farmers’ markets and retail locations throughout the Hudson Valley. As soon as the beans are roasted, they’re delivered the next day, which preserves each blend’s freshness and flavor profile. (Longtime subscribers to their monthly program sometimes receive a surprise blend in their box, too.)
Brew this: Wake up call, Bear’s roast, and amaretto are perfect blends for wintertime.
Courtesy of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Beacon
Café, Wi-Fi, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: “Elevated house blends, as well as four rotating single-origin offerings where we like to nerd out and get a little more specialized with different varietals,” says owner and roaster Alex Finkelstein. In other words: something for everyone. All of BMC Roasters’ blends are made from a process called “seed to cup,” meaning that the coffee is planted, grown, harvested, and stored sustainably. P.S. Keep an eye out for their much-anticipated second location in Newburgh, coming soon.
Brew this: The “Nicolas & Angela.” This Nicaraguan blend is a partnership with Gold Mountain Coffee Brewers and has notes of cherries, concord grapes, and vanilla bean.
Courtesy of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Coffee Labs Roasters
Eastchester, Tarrytown
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Some of the tastiest beans in the world, which owners Alicia and Mike Love personally source from origin countries (coffee-growing nations) and sustainable farmers. At any given time, you’ll find at least 15 varieties available onsite, which the couple roast in their Tarrytown location.
Brew this: Pick up a bag of the Rockit Dawg espresso for a full-bodied and sweet Colombian coffee.
Hudson Roastery
Hudson
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Eight different blends made from single origin beans that are roasted weekly and are available both in the shop and online. Hudson Roastery is also a wine bar, so if you stay long enough, you can start with a cup and a croissant (they offer eight varieties including almond and pan au chocolate) and then segue into locally sourced wine and cheese.
Brew this: Catchy, Hudson Valley-inspired blends, such as “Catskill Campfire” and “The Rip Van Winkle” varieties.
Courtesy of Hudson Roastery
Irving Farm
Millerton
Multiple locations, café, Wi-Fi, online shop, subscriptions, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: The coffee—there are usually six blends and five single-origin coffees available at once—is prepared in a roasting/cold brewing facility near the Millerton location. Irving Farm dates to 1996, when its first location opened on Irving Place in New York City, and it has been a leader in the small-batch, sustainable coffee movement.
Brew this: We’re fans of the dark roast named after the majestic Hudson River. It’s packed with flavors of black cherry, licorice, and clove. (They also have bundles inspired by New York and the four seasons.)
Courtesy of Irving Farm
Monkey Joe Roasting Company
Kingston
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, rewards program, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Owners Melissa Brown and Brittany Morton focus on single-origin roasts rather than blends, and their process involves a fully manual Dietrich roaster, meaning that there is “nothing digital to guide our roasts, simply the skill, talent, and years of practice by our head roaster, Tom,” says Brown.
Brew this: Although this Kingston spot offers 25 roasts on average, customers often choose hazelnut cream, Jazzy Joe, or fan-favorite Morning Howler Blend (which was created for the Radio Woodstock show “Acoustic Breakfast”).
Courtesy of Monkey Joe Roasting Company
North River Roasters
Poughkeepsie
Online shop, subscriptions, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: North River uses a process called fluid bed roasting, which they say is more environmentally friendly then traditional drum roasting. The roasters are electric, powered by 100-percent renewable energy sources through the CCA in the City of Poughkeepsie. Recently, the business was donated to Mid-Hudson Works, a local nonprofit that offers job training to veterans and the disabled. North River Roasters’ staff has been training these newcomers on the scene in the art and science of coffee roasting.
Brew this: North River only uses beans that have one or more of these certifications: organic, fair trade, rain forest alliance, and bird friendly. Check out the Summit Blends series, with beans named after peaks like Storm King, Mount Beacon, and Bear Mountain.
Ready Coffee
Wappingers Falls, Newburgh, LaGrange, Hyde Park
Multiple locations, rewards programs, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Small batches are hand-roasted in the Wappingers Falls location. While most Ready outposts are more of an upscale grab-and-go setup (with a drive-thru), the LaGrange spot includes a café and food sourced from Hudson Valley retailers. Ready Coffee is for people who want a fast cup—but a truly great cup—on the go.
Brew this: The signature blend, Headliner, has a deep, rich, and round flavor—without the bitterness.
Courtesy of Ready Coffee
Trax Coffee Roasters
Beacon
Cafe, Wi-Fi, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Dubbed “The Hudson Valley’s premier coffee roaster,” Trax Coffee roasts up some impressive blends in the heart of Beacon. In partnership with sister shop Bank Square Coffeehouse, Trax has been roasting full-time since 2017 and is dedicated to bringing the best coffee to Hudson Valley natives. In addition to bags of grounds, the Beacon hotspot also packages its blends into convenient K-cups for you to take home and brew up in your own machine.
Brew this: The No Sleep ‘Til Beacon is a dark and light roasted blend that is both bold and smooth as a tribute to the city in which the brand was born.
Valkyrie Coffee Roasters
Chester
Café, Wi-Fi, online shop, pastries, sold at Hudson Valley retailers
What they’re pouring: Valkyrie buys beans directly from eight different farms, which allows them not only to pay the farmer the best price, but also to foster a relationship with them including regular check-ins during the growing season. The result is the best of each crop, which translates to unique flavor. Owner Dakota Rudolph says they “spend weeks sampling the same coffee over multiple batches until we find what we like best.”
Brew this: Are you a bourbon fan? The Kenyan Bourbon Barrel-Aged blend is considered a cult favorite. Its tasting notes of green apple, cookie dough, French vanilla, and maple syrup are perfect for the season.
