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Tap Into this Impressive Showcase of New York Brewing

Perched on the southern end of Onondaga Lake, Syracuse’s community events, vibrant nightlife, and variety of attractions make it the perfect destination when planning an Upstate New York adventure. Home to more than 250 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues, Destiny USA should be on every visitor's itinerary. Salt City is also home to a burgeoning craft brewing scene, and some great locations to sample beer include Middle Ages Brewing Company, Eastwood Brewing Company, and Empire Brewing Company.

 

The New York Craft Brewers Festival is one of the leading fall beer events in the region, and it will take place December 2 at the Landmark Theater. This year’s edition will feature more than 60 New York State breweries, serving more than 130 unique and hard to find beers. Patrons can sample unlimited three-ounce beer samples from popular breweries such as Saranac Brewery, Southern Tier Beer Company, and Prison City Pub and Brewery. Food samples ranging from malts to BBQ will be available from at least 15 local food trucks and restaurants. Representatives and beer makers from all the participating breweries will be on-hand to talk about beers, the industry, and more. Attendees will receive a glass seven-ounce sampling glass just for attending the event. We interviewed Paul Leone, Executive Director of the New York State Brewers Association, to learn more about this tasty event.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

PL: We started this event five years ago as a fundraiser for the New York State Brewers Association (nonprofit).

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

PL: When we first started this event we had a few hundred people show up. Today, we cap the attendance at 1,400.

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

PL: The demographic has certainly changed over the years, and it continues to evolve. At first, it was primarily male-dominated, but today I would say we are about 50/50 male to female, and the diversity is getting much better. Since this is a beer festival, no one under 21 is allowed in, but it's a great event for couples, singles, and groups of friends.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

PL: Our unique location and the fact that all the beers hail from New York State. We try to choose sites with character, and the Landmark Theatre has a ton of it. It’s old, beautiful, and we take over the entire place. Regarding the beer, in most festivals today volunteers pour the samples. At our events, the brewers or owners pour the beer which attendees enjoy because they like to ask questions about the beer and the breweries.

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

PL: The brewers and the beer are the stars of the show.

 

RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?

PL: We invite a variety of food vendors and restaurants to serve samples of their food. Many will pair their samples with breweries, and attendees like the idea of food and beer sampling together at one event, all for one price.

 

RAL: Tell us about the atmosphere?

PL: The Landmark Theatre is indeed a unique location for a beer festival. The theatre opened in 1928 and is on the National Historic Register of Historic Places. The character of the building combined with exceptional NYS craft beer and food, makes this festival stand out.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

PL: The event takes place in a trendy section of Syracuse called Armory Square. This area is alive with hotels, bars, restaurants and incredible nightlife. We end our festival at 8:00 pm, so attendees can hit the square and enjoy the rest of their evening.

 

RAL: What does this event mean to the community?

PL: Having this event when we do adds to the local economy. This is why we end at 8:00 pm. We want all 1,400 attendees to continue spending money on the local businesses.

 

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

PL: Absolutely. All 60 NYS breweries pouring at the festival spend the night in nearby hotels and gather at the local craft beer bars and brewpubs after the festival. Another great time for attendees to meet them and hang out.

 

RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?

PL: The festival benefits the New York State Brewers Association, a nonprofit that promotes, protects, and educates about craft beer in New York State.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

PL: It’s a great festival to sample beer from over 60 New York State breweries from every region of the state. It’s very rare that so many New York State breweries can be found in one location, with the brewers and owners on hand to hang out and talk beer with the attendees. It's certainly an event you won’t forget.

 

For more information about the New York Craft Brewers Festival, please visit the event website.