New York Liquor-Only Albany Bar Toasts Cuomo

Brewers and distillers are happy with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to promote state food products in this year’s budget through his $2 million Taste-NY initiative. But one Albany bartender has gone even further. Excelsior Pub owner Jason Bowers, who only serves New York-crafted beers, wines, and spirits at his Delaware Avenue bar, is opening up on Mondays during the legislative session in hopes of attracting policymakers.

“We’ve got our doors open if they need a drink or something,” said Bowers, who added he is a “huge fan” of what the governor is doing. “If he came down, that would be amazing,” he said. “I would tell him everything he’s doing is great. His first round is on me.”

The bar features several rare and virtually unknown drafts from nanobreweries in Western New York with names such as Community Beer Works, Rooster Fisher, and Flying Bison, as well as a batch of flavorful downstate brews and Capitol region spirits. They have plenty of Genesse Cream Ale too, because you are not from Wisconsin so there’s no reason for you to be drinking that much Pabst Blue Ribbon.