Just over an hour north of New York City sits Fishkill Farms and Treasury Cider. It is a family-owned stone fruit, berry, and apple farm with a small farm shop and a food stand churning out American classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, and breakfast sandwiches. As you approach from the parking lot the atmosphere feels almost overwhelmingly family friendly, with packs of kids heading toward the you-pick fields clutching baskets or running in between picnic tables clutching a hot dog while playing tag. The tranquil rows of fruit sit off in the distance gleaming green but the closer scene is a bit…chaotic.
However, head toward the Cider Bar and as soon as you make the turn onto the expansive wooden porch and the clamor of family farm days begins to melt away. By the time you’re seated at a table with a flight of farm-brewed hard ciders and a view of rolling hills of farmland and forest, it’s hard to remember that you were ever anywhere but a charming, breezy respite from the city.
What is the Cider Bar at Treasury Cider Like?
The team Treasury Cidery is making delightfully funky as well as charmingly predictable hard ciders made with apples grown on the farm just beyond the cider bar. Some ciders like their signature Homestead taste of recognizable apples including McIntosh and Golden Delicious, while others like the Burr Knot are truly rustic with flavors like spearmint and citrus arising from wild fermentation.
Alongside their excellent ciders the Cider Bar offers a slightly more refined menu of cheese and charcuterie plates and house-made dips. Most of the cheese is sourced locally which is a treat to pair with the ciders made from the same region making it a bonafide only-in-New-York experience. (It’s best to make a reservation for the cider bar. Plus, when you reserve in advanced you get a flight as soon as you sit down!)
If you want something a little more substantial than cheese plates and dips at the Cider Bar you can bring anything from the grill stand over to the wooden porch, including the frosé made with cider. Which is a great option on a hot summer day. Beyond hot dogs and hamburgers there are also salads and snacks like grilled corn so there is likely to be an option that works with most dietary restrictions.
The farm store sells Treasury’s own ciders as well as selections from around the state like Eve’s cider (located in the Finger Lakes) and Metal House Cider (also from the Hudson Valley).
Making Cider 100% on the Farm
My favorite thing about visiting Treasury is that all the fruit and equipment used in the cider you drink there is right on the farm. Many cideries need to augment their wares with fruit or juice from other locations, but Fishkill Farms has 50 acres dedicated to apples and the cider makers at Treasury have more than 80 varieties to choose from for blending into their farm-make ciders.
These apples range from the “eating apples” offered as you-pick in the fall season like McIntosh to the bitter crab apples which don’t taste great on their own but give cider a balancing bitterness that takes it from sparkling fruit juice to refined, interesting beverage. These bitter, or bitter sweet, crab apple varieties are the closest to the apples that are native to North America. Any big juicy apple that you’d slice and bake in a pie likely came over from Europe, so when you try some of Treasury’s more funky or farmhouse style ciders you’re also getting a taste of the land in New York (the second biggest apple producer in the country behind Washington!).
Beyond Cider
Fishkill farms and Treasury have events throughout their open season (usually May to October, but check their website!) including dinners, live music, and open mic nights. There’s also sunset cider and yoga. This would be a great event if you’re looking to chill out a bit before enjoying your flight of farmhouse ciders.
Of course there is also the store which sells all kinds of Hudson Valley products like jams, cheeses, hot sauces, and farm-fresh eggs and meat. It’s a great place to visit to support other local purveyors and get a taste of the surrounding area.
How to Get to Treasury Cider
Fishkill Farms is (unsurprisingly) located just east of the town of Fishkill, the address is 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533. Depending on traffic it’s about an hour and 20 minute drive from Grand Central. There is plenty of parking on the farm!
You can also take the Hudson Valley Line from Grand Central to Beacon (about an hour 30 minutes) and then take a 15 minute car ride from Beacon to the Farm. If you’re taking this option it is worth double checking that your car sharing app of choice has active cars out near the farm (Beacon typically has more available Ubers and Lyfts than Fishkill, especially in less busy seasons.)
When to Visit Treasury Cider
There are definitely booms in crowds around berry picking season in June and July and apple picking season September to October. If you’d like to pick your own fruit to bring home along with some hard cider these might be the best times to visit.
If you’re looking to avoid crowds visiting on weekdays or later in the day on weekends is probably best for you. The times I visited when it is the most crowded is between 11am and 1pm on Saturdays.
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