New England was at the forefront of the microbrew revolution, and now that specialty beers are enjoying a resurgence, there's no better place to enjoy independently crafted brews. The
Brewers Association says America's craft beer makers sold 5.9 percent more beer in 2008, and a 2008 Gallup poll showed beer with a double-digit lead over wine. "2008 was a historic year for beer," said Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association, in a release. "Small independent craft brewers continued to gain share and attention," he explained.
Find the right brew for you at one of these Northeast beer festivals:
May 16, 2009, Jessie Camille's Restaurant, Naugatuck, CT, 203-723-8978. Celebrate Connecticut's beer brewers at this 15th annual evening of beer tasting featuring more than a 40 of the region's best microbreweries and more than 130 beers available for sampling. The longest-running beer festival in Connecticut also features live music and food, and proceeds benefit the Camille B. Perugini Memorial Trust Fund.
May 22, 2009, The Pavilion, Ocean Beach Park, New London, CT, 860-912-0408.The Rotary Club of New London sponsors its 26th annual Springfest at the Beach featuring a chili cook-off, live music, 30 microbrew companies and more than 100 domestic and imported beers from around the world. Ticket price includes chili samples and 15 beer tasting tickets.
June 5-6, 2009, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA, 888-HARPOON. Harpoon celebrates summer with two days of up-and-coming Boston bands, food and beer fresh from the brewery.
June 19-20, 2009, Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA. Sponsored by BeerAdvocate, this beer festival showcases a diverse line-up of craft breweries from not only New England but the entire nation. Attendance at the event's three sessions is limited, so be sure to buy your ticket in advance for your chance to taste more than 300 of America's finest craft beers.
June 27, 2009, Lincoln Village Shops, Main Street, Lincoln, NH, 603-745-6621. The Lincoln-Woodstock Chamber of Commerce sponsors this fifth annual gathering of New England craft brewers. The concurrent
Olde New England Days celebration, held on Main Street in nearby North Woodstock, features live entertainment, food, crafts, sidewalk sales, fire truck and pony rides and more to enjoy before or after the Brewfest.
July 10, 2009, Clinton Square, Syracuse, NY. This beer festival in neighboring New York State is presented by Empire Brewing Company and is handicap accessible. Enjoy live music, learn about the art of beer making and taste hundreds of handcrafted brews. Proceeds benefit the New York State Brewers Association and Project Children.
July 17-18, 2009, Waterfront Park, Burlington, VT, 802-885-1262. Vermont has more breweries per capita than any other state. Sample some of the finest craft brews from microbreweries and brewpubs in Vermont, New England, New York and beyond at this annual beer festival presented by the Vermont Brewers Association, held rain or shine on the shores of Lake Champlain, which is marking the 400th anniversary of its discovery by Samuel de Champlain 2009.
July 31-August 2, 2009, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY, 607-544-1800. Head to neighboring New York State for a taste of some of the best Belgian-style beers brewed in America, along with the finest brews imported from Belgium--200 in all. This beer festival also features brewery tours, Belgian food, live music a bonfire and Beatles movies in honor of this year's "Abbey Road" theme. A VIP event is scheduled for Friday night. Tickets for Friday and/or Saturday must be purchased online in advance and will not be sold at the gate. The picturesque grounds of the brewery are available for camping by reservation for an additional fee.
August 15, 2009, Litchfield Community Center, Litchfield, CT, 860-480-1460. Spend an evening in western Connecticut sampling beers crafted by regional breweries and enjoying live music, free food and a cash raw bar. Tickets for the event go on sale July 1, 2009.
October 2, 2009, Mark Twain House, Hartford, CT, 860-280-3154. Toast Mark Twain's affection for ale at the second annual Oktoberfest beer tasting and party at the author's Connecticut home. Guests will have the opportunity to sample many regional beers and snacks prepared by area restaurants. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door, and proceeds benefit the Mark Twain House & Museum.
October 3, 2009, Killington Resort, Killington, VT, 800-621-MTNS. Sample microbrews made in Vermont and New England at the 14th annual Killington Brewfest, held at the ski area's Snowshed Lodge. Tickets are limited and should be purchased in advance. Plan to stay a few days and combine beer drinking with some early season leaf peeping.
