Local Teachers Tap Minds and Beers

Welcome to the Hank Hudson blog! We are Darren Van Heusen and Chris Crounse, Hank’s head brewers. We are educators with strong entrepreneurial spirits recently deciding it was time to tap into a new subject. After watching one of our academic colleagues successfully open and operate a brewery, we decided to take the plunge into making one of our favorite past times – good craft beer. But first, it was back to school for both of us. We were thrilled to enroll in the inaugural craft brewing class at SUNY Schenectady County Community College. Our 30 plus trips to the U.K. certainly helped us when it came to identifying good craft beer.

Before we knew it, we were brewing in the basement of the Fairways of Halfmoon Golf Course, selling our brews to parched golfers. Fast forward three years, and we’re on the brink of opening our new taproom – but don’t worry, we’re still just steps away from the golf course. We couldn’t let our Hank-loving golfers down. We hope that our passion for learning, teaching and relationships is reflected in every square inch of our new space. We want everyone to feel comfortable visiting us and asking questions about the beer-making process – and remember, no question is a bad question when it comes to craft beer. Oh, and we like to joke around, so get ready for some laughs before you step through our doors. We hope to see you soon - cheers!

Arnie, Jack, Phil, Tiger and Daly: How our fermenters earned their names

Hank Hudson Brewing Company, conveniently located just minutes from the heart of Clifton Park, is a unique extension of the well-loved Fairways of Halfmoon, a pristine par-72 golf course and neighborhood staple for more than 20 years. It’s no coincidence when we decided to name our shiny chrome beer fermenters that we followed suit with the golf theme and the local attraction. 

Without further ado, meet Arnie, Jack, Phil, Tiger and Daly. All named after some of our all-time favorite golf legends and trailblazers who won Majors and PGA Tour victories. Each pro golfer has had an enormous impact on the sport and its popularity around the world. 

Whether you’re coming off the links or meeting up with a friend after a long work day, we invite you to unplug and engage in a warm environment that echoes that of a British pub offering fresh brews and bites. Our newly constructed space features arched beams, walls and furniture made of reclaimed barn wood and an oversized stone fireplace. Instead of offering seats at a bar, the space is filled with inclusive, communal high-top tables and ledges facing the brewing equipment to encourage social interaction and conversations about the craft beer-making process. We hope the named fermenters at least spark a discussion or two. Maybe even a debate about who the greatest player is in the sport’s history.

We leave you with this parting thought from the late Arnold Palmer – “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.”

Pours for the Course: Five Reasons to Pair your Putt with a Brew

As we all know, golf is an extremely difficult sport so it’s understandable if a player might imbibe a little “swing oil” before – and during – a round.  Having a beer afterward, of course, is always a good way to commiserate, or recall a great shot or two.

Just in case you need more, here are five reasons why you should pair your golf game with a trip to our tap room.

1. You deserve it! You just hit a little white ball with a club into a small a hole hundreds of yards away and you did that 18 times! You deserve more than a beer. You deserve at least two. 

2. Appreciate the company of your friends even longer. Our Tap room is a place designed to promote engagement. The communal seating options with close proximity to the brewing process encourages conversation. And if you’ve gotten a bit tired of the people in your foursome, it’s a great place to meet new friends.

3. Enjoy the view. While you were busy keeping your head down on your drive you may have missed the beautiful landscape. Grab a seat in our taproom overlooking the course and views of the green mountains.

4. Did you have a bad game? There is a reason why golf is the one sport that ends close to the bar. After a couple rounds with us you will start to ignore the “snowmen” on your scorecard. With at least eight different varieties always on tap, you are sure to find something to help lift your spirits.

5. Refuel. Our tap room menu offers a little something for everyone and is the ideal way to cure the hunger from a long day out on the course. Enjoy fare from the clubhouse now available in the tap room such as Pulled Pork Tacos and sharable options like classic Bavarian pretzels, you will leave more than satisfied.