Let me start with not only do I love good beer, but I also love good barbecue! So in my one of my trips down to Pennsylvania I made it a point to stop at Gentle Giant Brewing Company in Pearl River, New York. I found them after doing some online digging, and I mean digging. Google was not super helpful finding breweries in the Tappan Zee Area of the Hudson River. But anyway, back to the brewery. I will lead with Gentle Giant Brewing Company is a must stop for beer and barbecue lovers alike!!!
I will start with before they opened. I arrived about 15 minutes before they opened, by the time they opened, I was one of 10 people waiting to get in already. Granted, it was a Friday at noon, but still, I consider that a good sign. So I took a seat at their bar, which was a cement bar top with “graffiti” all over the bar top, done in good taste by I assume patrons from before, it was cool. Well I thought it was cool. The decor was perfect, exactly what I would picture a brewery/barbecue joint. Sort of that county, meets industrial, with a touch of New York Styling, it was the perfect atmosphere.
I was waited on immediately by the friendly bar tender Phil. He was great considering the fact that within 15 minutes of the place opening it was mobbed! I ordered a flight of four beers with Brisket, Seasonal Veggies, and Corn Bread. The beer was outstanding!! The Cream Ale they had on tap was exceptionally good, so much so I got a crowler to go of it. They also had an Coconut Oatmeal Stout and a Nitro Black Lager that were really great too. Then my food came out, oh man, heaven! The Brisket they had rivaled brisket I have had down in the Carolina’s and Texas. Literally melt in your mouth, the seasonal veggies were steamed carrots and broccoli, which was good. The corn bread was outstanding too, and for those that don’t know, I am very picky with my cornbread. The BBQ sauce I assume was their own, I forgot to ask, but it was a sweet sauce that brought everything together perfectly.
With how busy they were, they were on top of every customer need without interruption. Most importantly they did with a smile and maintained great customer service. As I was getting ready to head out I ordered a couple crowlers to go, one of the top guys came over a asked me if I wanted to try their brand new Pilsner and Brand New DIPA that they had not kegged yet. Of course I happily accepted, the guy that offered it too me to try out was Matt, great guy. Needless to say I enjoyed the small samples and a great conversation with Matt. I got some of the background on the history of the brewery itself and that they had just built their stage for live bands to come and play on. All the staff I interacted with, Phil and Matt, where just great friendly guys with a passion for the beer and the food. It made for a very memorable experience, that I am thankful I was able to have.
I will make it a point to get there again in the future, totally worth the stop. I highly suggest that anyone that takes the time to read this give them a try, I am almost certain you will not be disappointed! I have provided their information below for reference purposes, and I have also included a list of the beers below that I tried while I was there. So go check them out, go have an adventure and try new things!! Please Drink Responsibly.
Gentle Giant Brewing Company
7 N Main St, Pearl River, NY 10965
(845) 201-8295
https://www.gentlegiantbrewing.com/
Cream Ale-Cream Ale-4.5
Coconut Oatmeal Stout-Irish Dry Stout-4.5
Smoked Peach Wheat-American Pale Wheat-4.25
Nitro Black Lager-Dark Lager-4.5
Unnamed Pilsner-Pilsner-5
Unnamed Double IPA, Double IPA-4.5
