The Pump Station is rather unique for this capital city of Albany. Not only is it housed in a historic building, but it's also a microbrewery and a restaurant. Several menu items are cooked in "Pump Station ale batter," "blonde ale," etc.
LOCATION: Downtown Albany, easy access from 787 to Broadway and on to Spencer Street.
PARKING: Has its own ample parking lot juxtaposed to the front entrance.
FULL-MENU HOURS:Open 7 days/week. Closed on Christmas only. Mon-Thurs 11:30am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun noon-8pm. NOTE: Late-nite menu is available Mon-Sat for l hr past the full-menu hours.
FEATURES: Sunday family-style dining (all specials $12.95); kids' menu; souvenirs and beer-to-go (includes $14.95 T-shirts and baseball caps, $21 New Growlers [filled] and offered for most of their brews).
PAYMENT: All major credit cards accepted and, of course, CASH. Gift certificates available.
WEBSITE: Address is www.evansale.com. It's a state-of-the-art site, including features such as "What's On Tap," "Awards" (Kick-Ass Brown earned 2002 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal for American Brown Ale), "Newsletter" (The Happy Fermentor), "Directions," etc.
MENU: Starters include Quackenbush Steamers steamed in their own blonde ale ($7.95) and Pale-Ale-Battered Red Onion Rings ($4.95). My favorite soup is Chef Tom's Montezuma Red Chili (don't order if you don't like spicy HOT food) at $3.95/bowl. Their Santa Fe Salad is a nice vegetarian choice. It's a large tortilla brimming with spicy ground beef, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, chili cream, and the usual lettuce, tomatoes, etc. If you're a burger kind of person, indulge in a Build Your Own Burger, with topping choices of gorgonzola, smoked mozzarella, green chilis, etc. Interesting entrees range from Sun-Dried Tomato Ravioli to Swamp Water Baby-Back Ribs (I've gotta try these on our next visit).