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New England Beer Festivals: Celebrate Craft Brewing's Resurgence

From Kim Knox Beckius,
Your Guide to New England Travel.
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New England was at the forefront of the microbrew revolution, and now that specialty beers are making a comeback, there's no better place to celebrate craft brewing's resurgence. The Brewers Association says America's craft beer makers sold 12 percent more beer in 2007. "Since 2004, dollar sales by craft brewers have increased 58 percent," said Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association, in a release. "The strength of this correlates with the American trend of buying local products and a preference for more flavorful foods and beers," he added.


Find the right brew for you at one of these Northeast beer festivals:

1. Springfest at the Beach

May 16, 2008, The Pavilion, Ocean Beach Park, New London, CT, 860-912-0408.The Rotary Club of New London sponsors its 25th 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 food and 15 beer tasting tickets.

2. Harpoon Summer Session

June 6-7, 2008, Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA, 888-HARPOON, ext. 3. Harpoon celebrates summer with two days of up-and-coming Boston bands, food and beer fresh from the brewery.

3. Connecticut Brew Fest

June 19, 2008, Old State House, Hartford CT, 860-522-6766, ext. 10. Celebrate Connecticut's beer-brewing history at this annual evening of beer tasting featuring more than a dozen of the region's best microbreweries. The festival also features live music and food, and proceeds benefit the historic Old State House.

4. American Craft Beer Fest

June 20-21, 2008, 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.

5. Olde New England Days Brewfest

June 28, 2008, Lincoln Village Shops, Main Street, Lincoln, NH, 603-745-6621. The Lincoln-Woodstock Chamber of Commerce sponsors this fourth annual gathering of New Hampshire craft brewers at a new, larger location. The Olde New England Days celebration, still held on Main Street in nearby North Woodstock, also features live entertainment, food, crafts, sidewalk sales, fire truck rides and more to enjoy before or after the Brewfest.

6. Empire State Brewing & Music Festival

July 11, 2008, Clinton Square, Syracuse, NY. This beer festival in neighboring New York State is sanctioned by the New York State Brewers Association and is handicap accessible. Enjoy live music, learn about the art of beer making and taste hundreds of handcrafted brews. A portion of the proceeds benefits Project Children.

7. Vermont Brewers Festival

July 18-19, 2008, Waterfront Park, Burlington, VT, 802-244-6828. 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, held rain or shine on the shores of Lake Champlain, presented by the Vermont Brewers Association.

8. Belgium Comes to Cooperstown

August 1-3, 2008, 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--150 in all. This beer festival also features brewery tours, Belgian food, live music and a bonfire. 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 will be available to ticket holders for camping for an additional fee.
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