PATCHOGUE, NY - March 29, 2011. Award-winning Long Island microbrewer, Blue Point Brewing Company, will tap the world's largest cask when it hosts the 7th annual Blue Point Cask Ales Festival on Saturday, April 9th, 2011 from 2:00-6:00 pm at the brewery headquarters in Patchogue, NY. This year's cask will be filled with BP Toxic Sludge, a limited-release black IPA, brewed to benefit Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in support of their "Spreading Our Wings" Capital Campaign which provides relief to birds affected by BP's Gulf Coast oil spill. The Blue Point Brewery is located at 161 River Avenue in Patchogue, NY 11772. Tickets are $45 ($15 for designated drivers) and can be purchased at www.BluePointBrewing.com or at the brewery prior to event day. The event will also serve as a food drive for the Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for donation. This is a 21+ event.
Cask Ale, or Cask Beer, is the term used in the U.S. to refer to unfiltered and unpasteurized beer that is conditioned and served directly from a cask. Attendees at the Blue Point Brewing Company event will be able to walk right up to the cask and get the freshest, highest quality beer they've ever tasted. "This is such a unique opportunity and such a fun event, we look forward to it all year long," said Mark Burford, Brewmaster at the Blue Point Brewing Company.
The Blue Point Brewing Company's cask holds nearly 10,000 pints of beer and, this year, is filled with BP Toxic Sludge, a new style Black IPA, hopped at four stages of the brewing process to combine a hoppy India Pale Ale with a richer, darker malt base for a full bodied beer that's big on flavor. For many, "this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to taste the beer right out of the tank like the brewers always do," said Burford.
More than 25 other breweries have been invited to attend and showcase their own special cask brews. Joining the lineup will be several of Long Island's hometown favorites, including Black Forest Brew Haus, Blind Bat Brewery, BrickHouse Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, Great South Bay Brewery, Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., John Harvard's Brew House, Kelso of Brooklyn, Long Ireland Beer Company, and Southampton Ales & Lagers. Also scheduled to attend: Captain Lawrence Brewing Company (NY), Cricket Hill Brewery (NJ), Defiant Brewing Company (NY), Firestone Walker Brewing Company (CA), Green Flash Brewing Company (CA), Keegan Ales (NY), Peekskill Brewery (NY), Smuttynose Brewing Co. (NH), Southern Tier Brewing Company (NY), Stone Brewing Co. (CA), Stoudts Brewing Company (PA), Two Brothers Brewing Co. (IL), and others. Three of largest home brew clubs on Long Island, the Brewers East End Revival (B.E.E.R.), Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts (LIMBE), and Rocky Point Artisan Brewers are preparing casks to be shared with festival attendees. Local BBQ restaurant and caterer, Bobbique, will offer food for sale. Live music will add to the day's festivities.
The Blue Point Cask Ales Festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, April 9, 2011 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Blue Point Brewing Company located at 161 River Ave., Patchogue, NY 11772. General Admission tickets are $45.00 each, designated driver tickets are $15.00. Tickets can be purchased online at www.BluePointBrewing.com or at the brewery prior to event day. A limited number of tickets will be sold. Once the event sells out, no additional tickets will be available. General Admission ticketholders will receive a half-pint English-style souvenir glass and six beer tasting tickets. They will also receive a coupon redeemable for one free half-gallon growler of beer on their next visit to the brewery. Only those 21 and over with valid photo ID will be admitted to the event. No children or pets permitted.
# # #
