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
Online shop, Subscriptions, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Mahopac \ bearmountaincoffeeroasters.com
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: Salted caramel, White Christmas, and amaretto are perfect blends for wintertime.
Courtesy of Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Big Mouth Coffee Roasters
Café, WiFi, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Beacon \ bigmouth.coffee
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. Check out their brand new space inside an old auto body shop in Newburgh!
Brew this: The “Nicolas and 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
Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Rewards Program, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Tarrytown \ coffeelabs.com
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 on-site, which the couple roasts in their Tarrytown location. (An Eastchester/Bronxville location is set to open this fall.)
Brew this: Pick up a bag from their line of “Relationship Coffees,” a category they devote to farmers who have become friends through the years.
By Enormous Creative
Hudson Roastery
Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Hudson \ hudsonroastery.com
What they’re pouring: Eight different blends made from single origin beans that are roasted weekly and are available both in their 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 pain 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 Blend.”
Courtesy Hudson Roastery
Irving Farm
Multiple Locations, Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Subscriptions, Rewards Program, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Millerton \ irvingfarm.com
What they’re pouring: Their coffee—there are usually six blends and five single-origin coffees available at once—is prepared in a roasting/cold brewing facility near their 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 Irving Farm
Java Love Roasters
Multiple Locations, Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Rewards Program, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Suffern, White Lake \ javaloveroasters.com
What they’re pouring: More than 20 varieties of coffee, including both single origin and blends, all sourced from farms that focus on sustainable and fair-trade farming practices. Owners Jodie Dawson and Kristine-Ellis Petrik roast 22 pounds of coffee at a time by hand in their Suffern location, which Dawson says, “ensures accuracy and the best roasting flavor profile for each bean to bring out the best flavors.”
Brew this: Be sure to try their line of “Women Producer” beans, which are grown on farms owned or managed by women in Honduras, El Salvador, and Peru.
Monkey Joe Roasting Company
Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Rewards Program, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Kingston \ monkeyjoe.com
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 Mocha Java, Espresso Blend, or fan favorite Morning Howler Blend (which was created for the Radio Woodstock show “Acoustic Breakfast”).
Courtesy Monkey Joe Roasting Company
North River Roasters
Online Shop, Subscriptions, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Poughkeepsie \ northriverroasters.com
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. While they don’t have a café or retail space, North River pioneered the Community Supported Coffee Roasting (CSCR): customers can buy a share, like with a CSA, and pick up coffee at locations throughout the Hudson Valley.
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
Multiple Locations, Rewards Programs, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Wappingers Falls, Newburgh, LaGrange \ readycoffeeco.com
What they’re pouring: Small batches are hand-roasted in their Wappingers Falls location. While their current locations are more of an upscale grab and go setup (with a drive-thru), their new 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: Their signature blend, Headliner, has a deep, rich, and round flavor—without the bitterness.
Courtesy Ready Coffee
Valkyrie Coffee Roasters
Café, WiFi, Online Shop, Pastries, Sold at Hudson Valley Retailers
Chester \ valkyriecoffeeroasters.com
What they’re pouring: Valkyrie buys their 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.
Related: Hudson Roastery Pours Coffee and Wine in Columbia County
