Just a short hop up the NY Thruway sits the town of Poughkeepsie, NY. Known as the home of the CIA, no, not THAT CIA, the Culinary Institute of America, as well as several colleges and many historical sites, e.g. FDR's Home, it is now a Mecca for beer lovers everywhere.
When I read about this place opening last year, I thought it might be interesting to check it out. We attend Tap New York every year now and it gives us the perfect opportunity to stop in and see what they have to offer. Boy, do I love this place! I spend more than I should, but I can't find most of these beers anywhere else!
Alan Daniels, President & CEO, decided to petition the State and open a growler-filling station in the store itself. After some maneuvering, New York gave him the go ahead as long as no on-prmise consumption took place. This made Half Time a unique property anywhere that I'm aware of. It gave customers a chance to taste fresh beers from the ever-rotating tap handles. You can bring your own growler or buy one of the several sizes at the store.....from 10 oz to the 2 liter. Worried about freshness? The staff cleans and checks each tap every day just to be sure! Where do I sign up for that job?

But that's not all. The beer selection they have is second to none. They advertise a 1000 beers and it certainly appears to be so. They have a selection of local, regional, national and international beers that I have not seen anywhere. Many selections are available refrigerated or room temp, single bottle or 6-pack. Mix or match anything in the store...this ain't Pennsylvania!

They sell Belgian, British, German, Czech, Russian, and Italian beers as well as a large selection of New York and New England craft brews. You can spend hours perusing the aisles and the coolers to seek out what you want to take home. It is so hard not to take all of it! Extend the limit on the credit card before you travel here!
All the while, you can converse with the beer-savvy employees. The management crew searches for the best beers and then finds space for them on the shelves. There is not much they don't have!
This is a beer geek's dream and one of the best retail establishments I have ever been in...good beer, good help and a well-organized sales floor. So, if your area is a beer desert, save your pennies and make the pilgrimage here to stock up your cellar! Call ahead if there's something in particular you're looking for, but no matter, it will never be a waste of time going there.
Their website is under construction, but keep an eye on it for future listings.