2nd Annual Long Island Craft Beer Week Set To Launch

BAY SHORE, NY. (April 3, 2012) - The second annual Long Island Craft Beer Week (LICBW), a 10-day celebration of locally crafted beer and where to enjoy nationally crafted beers locally, will take place from May 11-20, 2012. It will feature a wide variety of events including: craft beer tastings; beer dinners; educational programs; an awards gala, and a variety of specials events at bars, breweries, retailers, and restaurants island-wide.

Launched with great success last year, the first Long Island Craft Beer Week included more than 70 events across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Many anticipate the number of events for this year's LICBW to reach more than 100. "Last year's beer week really showcased the creation and enjoyment of craft beer on Long Island," said Mark Burford, Brewmaster and Founder of Blue Point Brewing Co. "People are really into it and getting behind it. This year will be even better," he added. Long Island Craft Beer Week was created to raise awareness of the thriving local and national craft beer culture and to promote patronage at local establishments. "Our 2011 beer week Cask Fest was a success on many levels," said Drew Dvorkin, owner of T.J. Finley's (Bay Shore). "By serving some amazing local craft beer we were able to convert some casual beer drinkers into craft beer drinkers, and then into repeat customers. For us, it's not just about 10 days, but about branding T.J. Finley's as a craft beer destination," boasted Dvorkin. "People came back throughout the year. That's the benefit of being a part of beer week," he added.

While Dvorkin clearly saw a benefit to his Bay Shore bar business, it was Marc Raguso Long Island Specialty Division Supervisor for Manhattan Beer Distributors who saw the impact island-wide. "Last year, for the first time on Long Island, there was a big buzz around craft beer everywhere you went."

Long Island's craft beer scene continues to flourish. Since last year's Long Island Craft Beer Week, Long Ireland Beer Co. officially opened their brewery and tasting room in Riverhead, Great South Bay Brewery broke ground in preparation for their new facility in Bay Shore, and we officially welcomed two new local breweries, Port Jefferson's Port Jeff Brewing Company and Spider Bite Beer Company out of Holbrook-bringing the number of local breweries and brew pubs to fifteen.

Different levels of participation are available for businesses that wish to be part of the celebration. Official Long Island Craft Beer Week sponsors include: The New York State Brewers Association, L.I.M.B.E. (Long Island Malt and Beer Enthusiasts) Homebrew Club, and www.LIBeerEvents.com, Long Island's local beer calendar.

Long Island Craft Beer Week is a non-profit organization overseen by an executive board comprised of brewery owners, distributors, restaurateurs, retailers, event marketers. More information about the 2012 Long Island Craft Beer Week can be found at www.LongIslandCraftBeerWeek.com.