Peekskill Brewery Announces New Head Brewer As Jeff O'Neil Departs

 

Peekskill, NY- Peekskill Brewery is pleased to officially announce Matthew Levy will be taking the helm at Peekskill Brewery as the new Head Brewer in March 2015. Levy has been a part of the PB Brewing Team since the summer of 2014 where he immediately began brewing PB favorites such as NYPA,  which recently took silver medal in the Pale Ale category at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival.  

 

Levy grew up in Briarcliff Manor and began his career as a summer intern at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. “I couldn’t be prouder of Matt for getting the job. I still remember him as an intern before he could even legally drink! He is a great guy and makes great beer,” says Captain Lawrence Owner Scott Vaccarro. 

 

Levy apprenticed in each phase of the brewery, packaging draft and 750 ml bottles, cellar work, and brewing. Through his experience at Captain Lawrence and Vaccarro’s recommendation he got a job at Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in packaging that he held until graduating from the University of Michigan. Still in close contact with Scott, he was offered a job initially for the bottling line at Captain Lawrence’s new facility and then moved up to a brewer. He then joined the Peekskill team and has been producing exceptional product. 

 

The future holds excitement at Peekskill Brewery and it’s Riverfront location “....I’m really looking forward to seeing (and tasting!) what Matt does at PB. His resume speaks for itself, he’s a great young brewer who has really risen to the occasion so far. He even grew up locally. Peekskill is lucky to have him, and their customers will be in good hands,” says Brewer Jeff O’Neil.  

 

Peekskill Brewery will continue its commitment to quality and freshness. They are currently transitioning from Brewer Jeff O’Neil who will finish his 3-year stay at Peekskill Brewrey in March. “Matt is the next generation of our industry. He is very talented and is going to be a large part of writing the next chapter in Peekskill Brewery’s book,” says Peekskill Brewery owner Keith Berardi.

Big Brew NY Festival Returning To Westchester

Big Brew NY is returning to the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY on Saturday, February 7^th. WFAS AM in Westchester, our Presenting Sponsor, will broadcast live from the Festival.

Time Out New York called Big Brew "one of New York's Best Beer Events".

There will be over 250 styles available during the General Admission session and an All-Cask VIP Session featuring 20 Casks (presented by Craftsman Ale House of Harrison, NY). Casks are already confirmed from New York and local breweries such as Barrier Brewing, Black Hog Brewing Co., Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Great South Bay, Greenport Harbor, KelSo Beer, Plan Bee Farm Brewery, Rushing Duck and Sloop Brewing. Craft Beer lovers will not want to miss a rare opportunity to sample so many beers poured from casks.

And to add to the excitement, Half Time – the World’s Biggest Beer Store —will be giving away thousands of dollars worth of beer and prizes at Big Brew NY, including a 60-second shopping spree at their Mamaroneck store.

And Big Brew NY is safe and easy to get to from Manhattan; a 30 minute train ride on Metro North (with the station directly across from the County Center) and buses stop directly in front.

VIP ticket holders Additional Benefits include:

* An extra hour of tasting

* All-Cask Session presented by Craftsman Ale House featuring 20 Casks from local and national breweries (available to VIPs throughout the entire session)

* Beer-infused dishes (served during VIP extra hour) presented by Mambo 64 of Tuckahoe, NY and prepared by Chef Arlen Gargagliano, Owner & Chef. Her dishes will be made exclusively with Broken Bow Brewery beers

BEER LIST (to date): http://bigbrewny.com/beer/

SESSION TIMES: 5pm – 8:30pm (VIP extra hour 4pm -5pm)

SESSION PRICING: Take Advantage of Early Bird Pricing (prices go up two weeks and one week before Fest): VIP - $85     General Admission - $60     Designated Driver -$10

Tickets are available online at: http://www.bigbrewny.com

All tickets include unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Partners for the event include WFAS AM 1230, Half Time, DeCicco Family Markets, Craftsman Ale House, Mambo 64, Westchester Magazine and intoxiKate.

For information, contact Allison Kohler, JMK Events, at 973-927-2794 Jmkevents@aol.com
###

Historical Society Will Host Beer Tastings With Beer Exhibit

New-York Historical Society to Host a Series of Beer Tastings from New York Breweries,

in Conjunction with the New Exhibition Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History

New York, NY – To celebrate its summer exhibition Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History, the New-York Historical Society will host a series of beer tastings that showcase the thriving brewing culture in New York City and State. Beer Here will examine the social, economic, political, and technological history of the production and consumption of beer, ale, and porter in the city from the seventeenth century to the present day. The beer tasting program, run by Starr Restaurants’ catering group – Stephen STARR Events, will take place in the exhibition’s beer hall on Saturday afternoons from May 26 through August 25, 2012.

The half-hour beer tasting events, which will occur at 2 pm and 4 pm, will offer visitors the chance to hear directly from brewers and brewery founders about the history and process of making beer. In addition to tasting local artisanal creations, visitors also will experience first-hand the hops, whole leaf flowers and other ingredients used to make beer. Tickets for a tasting event are $35 each (Members $20) and may be purchased online. A six-pack special discount, featuring tickets to six separate tastings, is $150 (Members $100; all purchases by telephone or in-person only). A complete tasting event schedule follows below.

In addition to the beer tastings, New-York Historical also will host Beer Appreciation Night on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 pm, featuring Beer Here curators Debra Schmidt Bach and Nina Nazionale; Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery; Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery; and Gabrielle Langholtz, editor of Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan. A special tasting of Brooklyn Brewery beers will follow the program. Combined tickets for the program and beer tasting are $49 (Members $37), and program-only tickets are $24 (Members $12).

Beer Tastings Schedule & Participating Breweries

• May 26– Matt Brewing Company
• June 2 –Kelso Beer Co.
• June 9 – Keegan Ales
• June 16 – Bronx Brewery
• June 23 – Harlem Brewing Company
• June 30 – Blue Point Brewing Company
• July 7 – Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
• July 14 – Genesee Brewing Company
• July 21 – Heartland Brewery
• July 28 – Ithaca Beer Company
• August 4 – Matt Brewing Company
• August 11 – Bronx Brewery
• August 18 – Keegan Ales
• August 25 – Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.

The Matt Brewing Company
Saturday, May 26, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 4, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

The Matt Brewing Company has prospered at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York for over a century. Under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family, the Brewery has earned the reputation as one of the most respected specialty brewers in the country and continues its family tradition with the celebrated Saranac family of beers. The tasting will feature Saranac White IPA, bursting with Citra hops and the refreshing fruitiness of orange peel and coriander, and the softening characters of wheat malt and oats, as well as other special selected beer.

Kelso Beer Co.

Saturday, June 2, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Kelso Beer Co. was founded by Kelly Taylor, a brewmaster at Heartland Brewery, and his wife, Sonya Giacobbe in 2006 to create fresh, flavorful, low-alcohol session beer. The tasting will feature Saison, a Belgian style ale; Recessionator, a big bold doppleback; India Pale Ale, a punchy, bright and unique beer; and Pilsner, a classic European pils, with a floral nose, slightly sweet with a dry finish.

Keegan Ales

Saturday, June 9, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 18, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Keegan Ales was founded in early 2003 when Tommy Keegan learned about an empty building in Kingston that nobody would buy because there was a defunct brewery stuck in it! The Keegan Ales tasting will feature Mother’s Milk, a dark and creamy milk stout with hints of oatmeal, chocolate and milk; Hurricane Kitty, a coppery and heavily hopped India Pale Ale; and Barley Wine.

Bronx Brewery

Saturday, June 16, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 11, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Bronx Brewery, a craft brewer and distributor based in the South Bronx, was launched in 2011 by a small team with two things in common: a maniacal focus on creating high-quality beer and a passion for the Bronx. Bronx Brewery will serve its Bronx Pale Ale, a deep amber, American-style pale ale. A second, yet-to-be released, spring beer may also be available.

Harlem Brewing Company

Saturday, June 23, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

The Harlem Brewing Company story starts about 86 years ago. Legend has it that during Prohibition a special beer was being made and this secret brew could be found in Speakeasies and after-hours spots all over Harlem. This tasting will feature Sugar Hill Golden Ale, a medium bodied golden ale known for its drinkability, with a subtle citrus accent and a finish of hops and malt flavor.

Blue Point Brewing Company

Saturday, June 30, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Blue Point Brewing Company is Long Island’s only microbrewery. It was founded in 1998 by two long-time friends, Mark Burford and Pete Cotter. The brewery’s unique direct-fire brew kettle imparts a lightly toasted, complex taste to produce a line of ultra-premium microbrews.

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

Saturday, July 7, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Started by Scott Vacarro, an avid brewer from the young age of 17, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company opened in 2006 and is named after Captain Lawrence Drive, the street where Vacarro grew up. After much success, Vacarro recently expanded the brewery into a new location in Elmsford, NY with more brewing capacity and a large tasting room. The tasting will feature Captain Kolisch, Liquid Gold, and Pale Ale.

Genesee Brewing Company

Saturday, July 14, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Brewery makes the Genesee line of beers, including the original Genesee Cream Ale, Dundee Pilsner, the award winning Dundee Pale Bock, Dundee Stout, and Dundee India Pale Ale.

Heartland Brewery

Saturday, July 21, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Heartland Brewery opened as New York’s first American style brewpub on Union Square in 1995 and has been igniting New Yorkers’ passion for craft beers ever since. Heartland has consistently brewed New York’s freshest craft beers, including Heartland’s classic six as well as a wide range of unique seasonal brews.

Ithaca Beer Company

Saturday, July 28, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

In December 1998, Dan Mitchell, founder of Ithaca Beer Company, created the first local brewery in Ithaca that exemplifies “The Spirit of the Finger Lakes.” Ithaca Beer Company was recently awarded two medals at the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado in 2008. The tasting will feature Nut Brown, with subtle hints of both chocolate and coffee; CascaZilla, a red ale; and Apricot Wheat Ale, an easy-drinking wheat beer.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company

Saturday, August 25, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Founders John Liegy and Rich Vandenburgh met in college and dreamed of opening a microbrewery. That dream became a reality when in in July of 2009, the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company was founded. Today, Greenport’s beer is served in more than 200 locations on Long Island and in New York City.

About the New-York Historical Society
The New-York Historical Society, one of America’s pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, the New-York Historical Society has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.

The New-York Historical Society is recognized for engaging the public with deeply researched and far-ranging exhibitions, such as Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America; Slavery in New York; Nature and the American Vision: The Hudson River School at the New-York Historical Society; Grant and Lee in War and Peace; Lincoln and New York; The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New-York Historical Society; Nueva York; and Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn. Supporting these exhibitions and related education programs is one of the world’s greatest collections of historical artifacts, works of American art and other materials documenting the history of the United States and New York.

About STARR Restaurants

Founded in 1995 by Stephen Starr, Philadelphia-based STARR Restaurants is one of the fastest growing multi-concept restaurant companies in the country. STARR Restaurants include Buddakan, Morimoto, The Continental, Barclay Prime, Continental Mid-Town, El Vez, Jones, Alma de Cuba, Pod, Parc, Butcher and Singer, Pizzeria Stella, El Rey, Ranstead Room, The Dandelion, Talula’s Garden, Frankford Hall, Il Pittore, Route 6 and seasonal food-stand SquareBurger in Philadelphia, as well as, Morimoto and Buddakan in New York City’s thriving Meatpacking District. STARR Restaurants expanded to Atlantic City, NJ, with Buddakan and The Continental located in the Pier Shops at Caesars in 2006, and to Florida with Steak 954 at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale in 2009, and Makoto in the Bal Harbour Shops in 2011. Stephen STARR Events is the group's full-service catering and special events division, managing projects including Granite Hill at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Caffè Storico located in the New-York Historical Society, Serai at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City, and Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds For Sculpture in New Jersey.

Stephen Starr has earned numerous awards and accolades, and was named “Restaurateur of the Year” by Bon Appétit magazine in 2005 and Zagat Survey New York City in 2007. Starr also received the TimeOut New York Readers’ Choice Award for “Best New Out-of-Town Restaurateur” in 2007.

For more information, please visit www.starr-restaurant.com.

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/StarrRestaurants and facebook.com/StephenStarrEvents or follow us on Twitter @StarrRestaurant and @StarrEvents.

Geektoberfest: The Official Beer of NY Craft Beer Week.

A second-year collaboration from Shmaltz Brewing, Captain Lawrence Brewing, and Ithaca Beer Company, Geektoberfest® is a blend of six barrel-aged beers originally brewed in New York and is the official beer of the 4th Annual NY Craft Beer Week. The collaboration represents each brewery's exuberant determination to make New York a destination for the finest craft beer in the country. Geektoberfest® will be available for tasting at the Brewer's Choice event happening tonight, Thursday, Sept. 22 at City Winery, as well as these select beer destinations throughout Beer Week:

Amsterdam Ale House, Rattle N Hum, Blind Tiger, 4th Avenue Pub, Washington Commons, Barcade, Good Beer, The Room, Jimmy's 43, Habitat, Burp Castle, Idle Hands, Spring Lounge, Pony Bar, Spitzers Corner, MexiQ, Sunswick 35/35, Queens Kickshaw, Mel's Burger, Colicchio & Sons, Dive Bar 95, George Keeleys, Rye House, Tap Room, Earl's Beer & Cheese, and Manchester Pub.

Mark Your Calendars: Shmaltz Brewing will pour select beers at the "Paint Works Closing Party" happening at the Gowanus Ballroom (55 9th Street, Brooklyn, NY, 347.460.2687) this Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011. "Paint Works" will host an amazing exhibition and an extraordinary group of artists with two nights of live music, performances led by the notorious Seanna Sharpe (the Williamsburg Bridge aerialist), fire acts, and more. For additional event info, please visit: http://gowanusballroom.com.

Best,
Jesse
JP Cutler Media
415.655.3431
http://www.shmaltzbrewing.com
*************************************
About Shmaltz Brewing Company
Shmaltz Brewing Company was recently named "Best American Craft Brewer" and won the "Best In Show 2010" title by Beverage World Magazine, after being named "Breakout Brand" for 2009. Shmaltz was also included in the "Top 50 Fastest Growing Bay Area Companies" by San Francisco Business Times, and is a recipient of the "Distinguished Business Award" by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Established in San Francisco in 1996 with the first batch of 100 cases of HE'BREW Beer® bottled, labeled, and delivered by hand, Shmaltz has sold more than ten million bottles of beer to date. Along with their acclaimed line of HE'BREW Beers®, Shmaltz introduced its new line of sideshow-inspired Coney Island Craft Lagers®. Proceeds help Coney Island USA, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit fulfill its mission to defend the honor of lost forms of American popular culture in Brooklyn's historic Coney Island neighborhood.

Shmaltz offerings are available in more than 25 states through 30 wholesalers at more than 3,000 retail specialty shops across the U.S., including Beverages & More, Whole Foods, Total Wine, select Krogers and Cost Plus.

Shmaltz Brewing beers have appeared in such distinguished media outlets as The New York Times, CNN Headline News, The Onion, Beer Advocate Magazine, Celebrator Beer News, Ale Street News, NPR's "Weekend Edition," New York Magazine, Newsweek, Men's Health, BUST, Playboy, Associated Press, Reuters, MSNBC, San Francisco Magazine, The Jerusalem Report, New York Jewish Week, Washington Post, MAXIM, Forbes.com, Smartmoney.com, Entrepreneur.com and Epicurious.com.


For more information, please visit www.shmaltzbrewing.com

###

NY Craft Beer Week Schedule: The Stag's Head

It is almost time for the fourth annual New York Craft Beer Week. While you can find a complete list of all of the events here, we here at TheFoamingHead will be posting blogs highlighting all of the events thats some of the better bars and breweries will be putting on.  Our second preview takes a look at the upcoming events at The Stag's Head.

Monday, Sept 19: Allagash Tasting Night with Susan Greene
We'll be pouring some of the finest Allagash has to offer, including their Vrienden collaboration, Interlude '10, Confluence, Victoria, Curieux and more. We'll also be supporting a raffle to raise money for City Harvest, giving away Allagash shwag and gift certificates. 6PM

Wednesday, Sept 21: Strong Island Beer Night
We'll be featuring Greenport Brewing Co., with offerings also from Barrier, Blue Point and Southampton. Chef Bruce will be offering steamer and baked clam specials. Brewers and owners from Greenport will be in the house to talk anything and everything beer with you. 6PM

Thursday, Sept 22: Canned Beer Night with Oskar Blues and Butternuts
Come by for $25 Buckets of Oskar Blues and Butternuts, and have a Wizard Wand contest with reps Yvon Pasquarello and Red Dacquel! Winner of the longest wand wins a $20 gift certificate. Superglue and tape provided. 6PM

Friday, Sept 23: New York vs Boston Beer Night
Kicking off the weekend of Yankees vs Red Sox with offerings from Harpoon, Pretty Things, Wachusett and Sam Adams vs Kelso, Butternuts, Captain Lawrence and Chelsea. All weekend long.

NY Craft Beer Week Schedule: Rattle N' Hum

It is almost time for the fourth annual New York Craft Beer Week.  While you can find a complete list of all of the events here, we here at TheFoamingHead will be posting blogs highlighting all of the events thats some of the better bars and breweries will be putting on.  First up, is one of our favorite bars in the city, Rattle N' Hum.

9/13 – An invasion of AWESOMENESS by 12% imports

9/15 – Left Hand brewing Co tasting

9/16 – Barrier & Greenport Harbor kick off the week

9/17- Allagash v Ommegang v The Bruery v Jolly Pumpkin

9/18 Dogfish Head ‘Beer N Pig’ Brunch & Dinner – Tickets Only

9/19 Empire Brewing Co. Dave and Tim in the house!

9/20 Captain Lawrence blow out with Scott Vaccaro

9/21 Lagunitas v Green Flash Breweries

9/22 Stone Brewing Company w/Greg Koch

9/23 Ballast Point v Two Brothers Brewing Co

9/24 New York State of Mind – NY breweries ONLY!

9/25 Hill Farmstead ‘Beer N Pig’ Brunch & Dinner – Tickets Only

4th Annual New York Craft Beer Week Set To Launch

4th Annual NY Craft Beer Week

September 16 - September 25, 2011

New York City's Top Craft Brewers, Celebrity Chefs, Beer Bars and Acclaimed Restaurants

Celebrate Beer Week with an Array of Delicious Events & Promotions

Special Events in all Five Boroughs Featuring

Exclusive Press Preview Event at Brooklyn Brewery, 4th Annual Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival, Get Real's All-American Craft Beer & Food Festival, Zagat Sponsored "Beer Pairing Menus," Garrett Oliver's "Oxford Companion to Beer" Launch Event, Celebrity Chef Food & Beer Pairing Dinners, Meet The Brewer Events, Beer Tours, and Much More

Plus a New Official Beer for NY Craft Beer Week: Geektoberfest,

and iPhone & Droid Apps for NY Craft Beer Week

New York, NY -  The 4th Annual NY Craft Beer Week rounds up the state's premiere breweries, local celebrity chefs, over 100 beer destinations and 30 renowned restaurants across the City for an amazing line-up of special events happening in all five boroughs from Friday, September 16 - Sunday, September 25, 2011. Celebrated events such as the 4th Annual Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival, Get Real's All-American Craft Beer & Food Festival, and Brewer's Choice will return as part of this year's Beer Week. The week will also feature newly conceived boutique events, specialty food and beer pairing menus, educational tastings and tours, and the release of the official beer of the Week: Geektoberfest. Brewed by Shmaltz Brewing, Captain Lawrence Brewing, and Ithaca Beer Co., Geektoberfest includes a special blend of six barrel-aged beers, and will be available on draft at select Beer Week events and participating craft beer bars across New York City.

New York City beer enthusiasts and foodies alike will have the opportunity to enjoy over 100 craft beer destinations with the much-anticipated NYC Beer Passport 2011, the official NY Craft Beer Week program and resource guide. Passports are $10, and patrons will receive promotional deals and discounts on selections from their favorite craft breweries at participating venues. Each venue will feature one specific brewery, and instead of paying $7 per glass of beer, it's only $3 for the same beer through the Passport program (Passports have an offer for one serving at each bar). A majority of the bars will also offer a one-time $2 off a NY State produced beer through Labor Day 2012 to extend the Passport's value for those consumers unable to visit every bar during the Beer Week (offers may vary). Passports will be available for purchase at www.nycbeerweek.com, at each participating venue, a handful of retail outlets including the Strand Bookstore and others TBA, and in a new digital format as iPhone and Droid apps.

Passports include a calendar of all the featured events with a detailed description of each event, special editorial sections written by influential beer writers and industry insiders, FAQ's about NY Craft Beer Week, a list of all the participating restaurants with Zagat's "Beer Pairing Menus," a list of all the bars and retail outlets involved with NY Craft Beer Week, and much more.

Premiering this year is the NY Craft Beer Week mobile app for the iPhone and Droid, developed by technology partner Seed Labs. Both the free and paid apps will include: instant access to all updated content on nycbeerweek.org, a dedicated page for each venue (highlighting their brewery of choice, special offers and events schedule), a GPS powered map allowing users to find venues by distance, proximity to subway stops and featured brewery along with subway and walking directions, a searchable list of beers, and Foursquare-like functionality that will allow users to compete for fame, glory and prizes by "checking in" at venues and "checking off" beers they drink while simultaneously updating their Facebook and Twitter social networks on their activity. Badges that can be earned through "checking in" range from champions of various beer styles and beers from given geographic areas to conquering the full range of participating venues in each neighborhood. The free version of the app will serve as a companion to the printed passport, while the paid version will sell for $10 and allow users to redeem all of the deals offered in the printed passport.

Please see the initial list below highlighting the special events and promotions happening during the 4th Annual Craft Beer Week. Many more events and additional detailed information will be announced soon.

*Brooklyn Brewery Presents "Exclusive Press Preview Event" (Thursday, August 25, 6:30 pm)
-Come celebrate the release of the NYC Beer Passport. Fellow journalists and all participating breweries, bars, chefs, etc will enjoy locally produced artisan foods paired with craft beers provided by Brooklyn Brewery as well as other breweries.

*NYC Passport 2011
-Passport holders have access to special promotions at 100+ craft beer venues all over New York City (during the Beer Week and throughout the next year)!

*Zagat Sponsored "Beer Pairing Menus"
-Happening throughout the entire Beer Week, Zagat will present three- or four-course beer and food pairing menus at several prestigious restaurants. Each prix fixe menu includes a unique beer pairing for each course with prices varying between the restaurants.

*4th Annual Freaktoberfest Boutique Beer & Music Festival (Southpaw, Park Slope: Friday, September 16, 7 pm, $50)
-Sponsored by Shmaltz Brewing Company, Southpaw, Smuttynose and Beertender Brooklyn, more than 20 brewery owners will pour specialty beers while famous sideshow performers host the event and offer special performances alongside local indie-rock bands, burlesque dancers, and DJs. Freaktoberfest is the official "Opening Night Celebration" of NY Craft Beer Week. Tickets are now on sale through Ticketweb. More info is available at freaktoberfest.blogspot.com.

*Brewer's Choice (City Winery: Thursday, September 22)
-15 Brewmasters present their best beers and favorite food pairings in an intimate walk around tasting event for more than 400 people. More info at www.nycbrewerschoice.com

*Get Real's All-American Craft Beer & Food Festival (Friday, September 23 & Saturday, September 24)
-A one-of-a-kind tasting event, Get Real's All-American Fest will feature 80 of America's finest craft beers on tap, a cask bar with 30 cask-conditioned ales, the tri-state area's best homebrews, food tastings from some of NYC's top restaurants and food artisans, educational seminars, and, new for 2011, the first All-Americas Craft Chocolate Fest featuring some of America's top artisanal chocolate makers. Event details can be found at getrealny.com.

*The Ultimate Brewmaster's Degustation @ Mas (farmhouse) (Date and Price TBA)
-A reprisal of the phenomenal dinner held during the 2010 Beer Week. The special menu for the night at fine dining standout, Mas (farmhouse), will feature six courses prepared using creative reinterpretations of beer, and each course will be paired to a beer from different breweries. Many of the beers being featured during the dinner will have their brewmasters in attendance. Additional details will be announced soon.

*Brewer's Brunch (Sunday, September 25: Location and Price TBA)
-The best way to cap off an extended week of outstanding beers is to kick back with your friends and relive the best moments. With the hair of the dog in full effect, expect to find a broad selection of beers, reinventions of classic brunch cocktails using beer, and a broad gathering of industry luminaries as a leisurely brunch is enjoyed and the Beer Week is brought to a celebrated close. This is the "Official Closing Event" of the Week. Additional details will be announced soon.

*Garrett Oliver's Oxford Companion to Beer Launch Event (Location, Date & Price TBA)
-Brooklyn Brewery brewmaster and award-winning author of The Brewmaster's Table (2005), Garrett Oliver will host a special event celebrating the launch of his new book, Oxford Companion to Beer. Additional details will be announced soon.

*"Meet The Brewer" Events
-Occurring at several participating beer bars throughout Beer Week, top NY craft brewers will offer extensive selections from their beer line-ups, and will offer tasting notes.

Josh Schaffner, Director of NY Craft Beer Week, comments about the upcoming craft beer extravaganza, "Over the past four years, the concept of a Beer Week has progressed from non-existent to the most exciting series of events for the year in every beer drinking city throughout the country. NY Craft Beer Week is no exception; travelers come from throughout the world just to engage with the beer community, while local consumers eagerly anticipate the special events and the arrival of new Passports. It is with great excitement that there are now more beer-centric bars, restaurants and stores participating in the Beer Week than ever before, and a new set of smart phone apps will make the offerings even more accessible to all."

Brooklyn Brewery's Brewmaster Garret Oliver says, "NYC Beer Week is a great opportunity for people to check out the creativity and talent of New York's brewers. New York City is famous for having the best of everything, and NYC Beer Week is going to show off America's most diverse and exciting beer scene."

NY Craft Beer Week is proud to have Brooklyn Brewery, Shmaltz Brewing Co, and Empire Brewing Co as sponsoring breweries, Zagat Survey as a food partner, Just Food as a charitable partner, and Ace Hotel as the official hotel partner. Ace Hotel is a 12-story boutique hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan with 260 rooms and is offering a Beer Week rate of 15% off on their normal room reservations during the Beer Week. Reservations can be made using this link: http://acehotel.com/beerweek .


About NY Craft Beer Week
NY Craft Beer Week is a ten-day celebration of all things craft beer in the five boroughs of New York City. It is as much about civic pride as it is about appreciating the splendors available to us and celebrating the people who make it all happen. NY Craft Beer Week's focus is to fuse libation education with community appreciation, providing opportunities to discover new favorite breweries, beers, bars, stores and restaurants for enjoyment throughout the year. Learn more at: www.nycbeerweek.com.

About the Official Beer of NY Craft Beer Week: Geektoberfest
Brewed by Shmaltz Brewing, Captain Lawrence Brewing, and Ithaca Beer Co., Geektoberfest will feature a blend of six barrel-aged beers. All of the beers are originally brewed in the state of New York, and Geektoberfest will only be available on draft during NY Craft Beer Week. The beer represents each brewery and the folks at NY Craft Beer Week's exuberant appreciation of the mecca they call home, New York.


###

Blue Point Brewery To Tap World's Largest Cask

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.

# # #

Peekskill Brewery To Host 2nd Annual Birthday Bash

For Immediate Release

Peekskill, NY- In celebration of its birthday, Peekskill Brewery will once again hold its Annual Birthday Bash on Saturday, October 9th. The bash is a one day festival beginning at 2 pm outdoors on Railroad Avenue outside the pub. Last year's event brought over 1,500 people and a higher attendance is expected this year.

An outdoor craft beer tenting housing 30 draught lines will feature Peekskill Brewery house beers in addition to other breweries including Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Dogfish Head, Ithaca Beer & Soda, Blue Point Brewing Co., Brewery Ommegang, Lake Placid Brewery, Keegan Ales, Goose Island, Defiant Brewery, Southampton Brewery and Brooklyn Brewery. Beer tickets are sold separately and guests must be at least 21 years old to enter the beer tent. The Peekskill Brewery's additional 16 draught lines inside will also have specialty beers on draught that day. Free live music, a kids corner and arts and crafts vendors are all free to the public. A special Sprout Creek Farm/Captain Lawrence tasting table will also be featured.

Profits earned from games such as Hi-Striker, Bottle Cap Count and Ring Toss will benefit the Jan Peek Homeless Shelter. For the full lineup of vendors and music that day visit www.thepeekskillbrewery.com.


###

Captain Lawrence Beer Dinner at The Vanderbilt

On October 5th, The Vanderbilt will host another 5 course beer dinner. The restaurant is known for supporting local farms and businesses and using local ingredients. For this event, they've teamed up with Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, located nearby in Pleasantville, New York. The brewery was started by Scott Vaccaro, and has won numerous awards, including the Mathew Vassar Brewer Cup for Best Craft Brewery in the Hudson Valley.



Butternut Squash Soup
Pumpkin Ale


Crisp Calamari
radish, ponzu
Kolsch


Barbeque Pork Shoulder
local spinach, apricot
Smoked Porter


Braised short rib
green papaya, chili, lime
Xtra Gold


Fromage Blanc cheesecake
pistachio, blueberries
Birra De Gicco


$60.00 per person
October 5, 2010 @ 7:00PM

Terrapin Hudson Valley Farm & New York State Beer Dinner

Hudson Valley Farm
&
New York State Beer Dinner
Thursday, July 22, 2010
5pm - 9pm
$39/person

Reservations Required - (845) 876-3330


sliced fresh summer peach, camembert and arugula crostini migliorelli peaches, sky farm arugula, old chatham sheep herding company camembert
Ommegang Witte ~ a classic belgian style white ale 4.5%abv


toussant cheese fondu with roasted vegetables and wild mushroom stuffed squash blossom migliorelli farm squash blossom and vegetables, sprout creek toussant cheese
Captain Lawrence Kolsh ~ a crisp pilsner style ale 5.5%abv
Keegan Old Capitol ~ a crisp, refreshing golden ale 4.8%abv
Brooklyn Sorachi Ace ~ a single hop, golden belgian saison style ale 7.6%abv


sauteed black trumpet & chanterelle mushrooms
served over your choice of:
half roasted chicken, grilled sirloin, or sweet summer corn cake served with carrot mashed and sauteed kale migliorelli farm carrots and kale, northwind farms chicken, hudson valley cattle company sirloin, wild local mushrooms provided by leigha
Bluepoint RastafaRye ~ a crisp, hoppy rye ale 7.5%abv
Wagner Valley Oatmeal Stout ~ a robust, earthy oatmeal stout 5.5%abv
Six Point Brownstone Ale ~ a rich, malty brown ale 5.7%abv


house made black forest ice cream cake
chocolate cherry ice cream on devils food cake coated in a hard chocolate shell
migliorelli farm cherries, hudson valley fresh cream
Ithaca 12 ~ a dark belgian style quadruple anniversary ale 12%abv
Brown's Whiskey Porter ~ a smooth, rich porter aged in whiskey barrels 5.75%abv
Southern Tier Creme Brulee ~ a rich, creamy imperial milk stout brewed with vanilla ~9.2%abv

Terrapin Restaurant is located at:

6426 Montgomery St
Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Phone: 845.876.3330
Fax: 845.876.6274

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Beer Dinner at The Vanderbilt

The Vanderbilt and Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Beer Dinner
$60.00 per person
July 27th 2010 @ 7:00 pm


Bouche
Special Beer

Crisp Calamari
radish, ponzu
Kolsch

Barbeque Pork Shoulder
local spinach, apricot
Smoked Porter

Braised short rib
green papaya, chili, lime
Xtra Gold

Fromage Blanc cheesecake
pistachio, blueberries
Birra de Cicco


Call or email for reservations
570 Vanderbilt Avenue @ Bergen
718.623.0570
info@thevanderbiltnyc.com

New York Brewers To Brew "Super" Beer

Five of New York's best brewers will gather on June 18th to brew a collaborative brew called "Super Friends". Phil Leinhart of Brewery Ommegang, Phil Markowski of Southampton Publick House, Scott Vaccaro of Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Jeff O'Neil and Eric Kugeman from Ithaca Beer Company will be joined by Steve Altimari from Valley Brewing Company and Casey Hughes from Flying Fish Brewing Company at the Ithaca Beer Company in Ithaca, NY.

After brewing the beer, the brewers will host a beer night at Korova on the Commons in Ithaca, starting at 8 p.m.

The Super Friends beer will be available on tap at the Ithaca Beer Co.’s Tasting Room and select Manhattan bars in late July. The official release date will be posted on the Ithaca Beer Company's website.

Peekskill Brewery Pairings for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

For the duration of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, The Peekskill Brewery will be showcasing local ingredients on its prix fixe menu, but will also be offering Hudson Valley Beers and Wine to be paired with menu items. To further capture the essence of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, The Peekskill Brewery will specially pair beers from The Peekskill Brewery, Keegan Ales (Kingston, NY), Defiant Brewing Co. (Pearl River, NY), Captain Lawerence Brewing Co., (Pleasantville, NY) and Ithaca Beer Co. (Ithaca, NY). Menu items will also be paired with wines and spirits from Millbrook Vineyard (Millbrook, NY), Whitecliff Vineyard (Gardiner, NY), Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery (Warwick, NY) and Tuthilltown Spirits (Gardiner, NY). The prix fixe menu can be ordered stand only at $28 or with pairings for $40. Call 914-734-2337 for reservations or visit www.opentable.com. Menu will be available from March 15th-March 28th.

Prix Fixe Dinner Menu
3 Courses/$28
Paired with Hudson Valley Beers or Wine/$40

FIRST COURSE
(choice of)

Mixed Green Salad
Pickled Radish, Toasted Almonds, Sherry Vinaigrette

Crispy Pork Belly
Braised Red Cabbage, Soft-boiled Egg

Pureé of Tomato Soup
Topped with Parmesan Tuille

SECOND COURSE
(choice of)

Cumin-crusted Pork Loin
Compote of Local Apples, Mountain Products
Smokehouse Bacon, Wild Rice

Seared Salmon
Preserved Lemon, Goat Cheese, Roasted Baby Beets, Wild Rice

Grilled Flatiron Steak
Cumin Marinade, Butternut Squash Purée, Roasted Vegetables

THIRD COURSE
(choice of)

Ginger Infused Flan
Ronnybrook Dairy Milk and Whipped Cream

Chocolate Porter Cupcake
Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Pear Cheesecake
Poached Pears and Walnuts

(prix fixe price does not include beverage, tax or gratuity)

###

Draft Magazines 25 Best Beers of 2009

Draft Magazine has recently released their list of the 25 Best Beers of 2009. The list appears in the January-February 2010 issue and two of New York's finest have made the cut.

Draft says: "We tasted more than a thousand beers this year--some fresh from the tank, others from centuries-old recipes--and crowned the top 25 that blew us away in 2009, either for the first time or the hundredth. Some are multi-medal award winners, others have captured the imagination of bloggers and beer geeks and still others have sat quietly, awaiting their moment of glory. Here it is."

Brooklyn Brewery's Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse

Captain Lawrence's Cuvee de Castleton

Editor's Thoughts: Draft gives no specific criteria, nor does it give a numeric rank so it is hard to argue with any of their selections. The Brooklyn beer is very good and we have heard the same about Cuvee de Castleton. It seems that people love these "Best Of" lists and it looks like Draft has put together a nice one. It is hard to overlook the fact that the incorrect spelling of Brooklyner though, especially with the spelling appearing on the bottle, which Draft features on the very next page.

Captain Lawrence Rosso E Marrone

On January 29, 2009, we announced that Captain Lawrence would be releasing their long awaited Rosso e Marrone. Well, we finally tasted it and it did not disappoint. Here is the original post as well as our review.
http://thefoaminghead.com/captain_lawrence_rosso_e_marrone.html


Captain Lawrence Releases Rosso e Marrone!

We will finally be releasing the Rosso e Marrone!It has been a long journey for this beer to finally see the light of day…..

Over two years in oak wine barrels and then an additional 6 months in the bottle before it finally decided it was time. This is a sour ale, very different from most beers. The flavors are wine like and a bit funky. The two years in the oak barrels have imparted a nice dry oak character. We added both zinfandel and Merlot grapes to the beer a year into its aging which imparted a very nice wine like character.

The specifics….

Release Date: February 14th, 12:00pm
Production: 700 bottles (375ml)
Cost: $10 / bottle – CASH SALE ONLY
Limit: 4 per customer

This beer will be sold on a first come first serve basis….we will not save, pre-sell or reserve bottles for anyone, so please don’t ask.

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to an exciting 2009.

Sincerely,
Captain Lawrence
(914) 741-BEER (2337)
Location:
99 Castleton Street
Pleasantville, NY
www.captainlawrencebrewing.com

Captain Lawrence Releases Rosso e Marrone!

We will finally be releasing the Rosso e Marrone!It has been a long journey for this beer to finally see the light of day…..

Over two years in oak wine barrels and then an additional 6 months in the bottle before it finally decided it was time. This is a sour ale, very different from most beers. The flavors are wine like and a bit funky. The two years in the oak barrels have imparted a nice dry oak character. We added both zinfandel and Merlot grapes to the beer a year into its aging which imparted a very nice wine like character.

The specifics….

Release Date: February 14th, 12:00pm
Production: 700 bottles (375ml)
Cost: $10 / bottle – CASH SALE ONLY
Limit: 4 per customer

This beer will be sold on a first come first serve basis….we will not save, pre-sell or reserve bottles for anyone, so please don’t ask.

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to an exciting 2009.

Sincerely,
Captain Lawrence
(914) 741-BEER (2337)
Location:
99 Castleton Street
Pleasantville, NY
www.captainlawrencebrewing.com

New York Winners at the GABF

The 2008 Great American Beer Festival has just wrapped up and New York breweries took home 10 medals. There were 75 categories and over 200 medals were handed out.

Category: 14 American-Belgo Style Ale - 36 Entries
Gold: Xtra Gold, Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Pleasantville, NY

Category: 15 American-Style or German-Style Sour Ale - 34 Entries
Silver: Brute, Ithaca Beer Co., Ithaca, NY

Category: 17 Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer - 79 Entries

Bronze: Golden Delicious, Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Pleasantville, NY

Category: 31 German-Style Märzen - 48 Entries
Silver: Saratoga Lager, Olde Saratoga Brewing Co., Saratoga Springs, NY

Category: 38 Baltic-Style Porter - 18 Entries
Bronze: SMP, Sixpoint Craft Ales, Brooklyn, NY

Category: 48 American-Style Amber/Red Ale - 65 Entries
Silver: CascaZilla, Ithaca Beer Co., Ithaca, NY

Category: 55 American-Style Brown Ale - 47 Entries
Gold: Kick-Ass Brown, C.H. Evans Brewing at the Albany Pump Station, Albany, NY

Category: 61 Belgian- and French-Style Ale - 34 Entries
Bronze: Rare Vos, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY

Category: 68 Foreign-Style Stout - 28 Entries
Gold: Whiteface Black Diamond Stout, Great Adirondack Brewing Co., Lake Placid, NY
Bronze: Black Hole XXX Stout, Chelsea Brewing Co., New York, NY

Hop Prices Hitting Close To Home

"The largest -- and most competitive -- category at the Great American Beer Festival is the American Style IPA." That style is also the one most affected by the rising hop prices. The hop prices have affected one of New York's (and The Foaming Head's) favorite beers. Brewer Scott Vaccaro of Captain Lawrence Brewing Company has started to make receipe changes to his ever popular Imperial IPA. Vaccaro says that the beers big flavor allows for him to substitute some of the four different hops used, while still maintaing the flavor.

Wall Street Journal Article