PASSPORT RETURNS
2020 Capital Craft Beverage Trail set to launch following 3-month delay
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » After a three-month delay due to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic and the numerous challenges it presented for the local craft beverage sector, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail is set to release its 2020 Passport Program.
Kickoff will be at noon on July 1, hosted by Artisanal Brew Works at 41 Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs.
This year’s Passport features 52 craft beverage producers from across the eight- county Capital Region. Trail stops include wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, meaderies, and one kombucha maker, highlighting both local talent and New York state produce.
The 2019 Passport program ended in late March, just as the COVID-19 crisis was closing tasting rooms and taprooms across the state. After a threemonth delay and enforced social distancing, this year’s Passport release represents not only the best the Capital Region has to offer in craft beverages, it also signals the return of gathering, community, and economic growth.
“The Passport is the pinnacle of what we at the Trail are trying to accomplish, in highlighting local producers and small business owners here in the Greater Capital District,” Daniel Kravitz, President of the Capital Craft Beverage Trail and General Manager of Artisanal Brew Works, said in a press release.
“Even though life as we know it has changed, the Trail is still focused on safely bringing together local beverage producers within the community. We
want to stress that safety is our number one priority. Please be respectful of the conditions we are dealing with so we can keep everyone healthy and happy.”
“I’m excited that the Capital Craft Beverage Trail (CCBT) is kicking off the 2020 Passport Program now that the Capital Region is working through the phased reopening,” Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. “This program has increased patronage to dozens of small businesses including five in the city of Albany in past years, and we look forward to the CCBT Passport Program having the same impact this year.
“In a time when we are all eager to return to safely gathering and helping the economy, I commend the organizers of the Passport Program for bringing back a safe and fun experience that even includes the chance to win prizes.”
“Local breweries and distilleries are becoming more essential to both our local economy and our cultural footprint every year,” Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said. “Saratoga Springs has always been a destination city, and now our attractions are becoming even more diverse with the expansion of unique local breweries and distilleries.
“These businesses offer a unique opportunity for responsible gathering and socializing during these challenging times, so I amso excited that the Capital Craft Beverage Trail is kicking off its 2020 Passport Program.”
Passports are free of charge and are available at any of the producer member locations. Organized by county, the Passport map takes participants on a winding trail through Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties, collecting stamps and earning prizes along the way.
The 2020 Passports will be good through June 2021.
This year there are five prize levels.
When participants make a purchase at a producer location, their Passport will receive two stamps – one on the producer’s page, and one on the tear- out sheet at the back. Participants receive a prize once they’ve received enough stamps to fill each of the five perforated pages.
The Level 5 prize can only be redeemed by collecting stamps from all 52 producers in the Passport.
THE PRIZES ARE:
Level 1: CCBT Coozie Level 2: CCBT Shot Glass Level 3: CCBT 5oz. Taster Level 4: CCBT Waiters Corkscrew
Level 5: Free Ticket to a 2021Drink Event
PRODUCERS IN THE 2020 PASSPORT PROGRAM ARE: Rensselaer County:
• The Beer Diviner
• Brown’s Brewing
• Emporium Farm Brewery
• Hudson-Chatham Winery
• Rare Form Brewing Co.
• Shmaltz Brewing Company
• S&S Farm Brewing
• Stable Gate Winery
• Yesfolk Tonics
Saratoga County:
• Artisanal Brew Works
• Common Roots Brewing Company
• Druthers Brewing Company • Galway Rock & Saratoga Sparkling Co.
• Ledge Rock Hill Winery
• Racing City Brewing/Oliva Winery
• R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing
• Unified Beerworks
• Walt & Whitman Brewing
• Yankee Distillers
Albany County:
• Altamont Vineyard and Winery
• Albany Distilling Company
• C.H. Evans Brewing Company
• Druthers Brewing Company
• Fort Orange Brewing
• Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company
• Hillstown Brewing
• Meadowdale Farm Winery
• Nine Pin Cider Works
• Oligan Distilling
• Real McCoy Beer Co.
• Royal Meadery
• Table 41
Columbia County:
• Chatham Brewing
• Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde Yorke Farm
• The Greenhouse Cidery
• Harvest Spirits
• Hudson Brewing Company
• Hudson-Chatham Winery
• Little Apple Cidery Greene County:
• Crossroads Brewing Company
• Hudson-Chatham Winery
• Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company
• Subversive Malting + Brewing
Schenectady County:
• Back Barn Brewing Company
• Druthers Brewing Company
• Frog Alley Brewing
• Great Flats Brewing
• Helderberg Meadworks
• Mad Jack Brewing Company
• The Schenectady Distilling Company
• Wolf Hollow Brewing Company
Warren County:
• Adirondack Winery
• Northway Brewing Company
Washington County:
• Northern Cross Vineyard
• Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery
• R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing
• Victory View Vineyard