THE BEER’S ALL HERE
Annual Saratoga Springs summit expected to draw thousands
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» Thousands of area beer-lovers will flock to the Spa City this weekend for the annual Saratoga Beer Summit.
Part of America On Tap’s Saratoga Beer Week, the summit is a chance for attendees to taste more than 100 different brews, all in one place.
The seventh annual Saratoga Beer Summit, scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Saratoga Springs City Center, will offer event-goers about 160 craft beer samples from more than 80 breweries both near and far, along with live music entertainment and snacks available for purchase.
Local brews from companies like R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewery, Adirondack Brewery, Brown’s Brewing Company, Common Roots Brewing Company, Druthers Brewing Company and Artisanal Brew Works will all be on hand amongst much larger breweries like Guinness Yuengling Brewery and Blue Moon Brewing Company.
Last year, the sold-out summit drew an estimated 3,500 attendees throughout the day, which included three separate tasting sessions.
Since the first Saratoga Beer Summit several years ago, America On Tap Beer Festivals has grown to now host 35 similar events throughout the year, but the Spa City summit is always special. “This town is so wonderful,” said America On Tap Beer Festivals marketing manager Brittany Gilman at last year’s summit. “People get so excited for this event. “It’s just a great day to come out, support your local businesses, support your local breweries and just have a good time.”
Before this all-day beer tasting event, which serves as the culmination of Saratoga Beer Week, will be two other signature events.
Those who prefer other beverages over beer can still be part of Saratoga Beer Week with Saratoga Whiskey Night or Saratoga Cider Night.
Saratoga Whiskey Night is slated for 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park, featuring spirits from big names like Jack Daniels as well as small, local distilleries such as Albany Distilling. Ryes, malts and bourbons will all be served for whiskey enthusiasts to try.
The next night is the popular Saratoga Cider Night, held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the Saratoga Springs
City Center. More than 60 hard ciders will be available to sample in a wide variety of flavors that once again come from both the Capital Region and across the country. Several New York cideries including Saratoga Apple, Graft Cider and Sundog Cider will be at the event.
Other Saratoga Beer Week events including tastings, beer dinners and the Saratoga Beer Summit Official After Party will also be held around Saratoga Springs throughout the week.
One of these is a unique collaboration between small bar and bottle shop Pint Sized and new brunch hotspot Farmers Hardware. The two downtown businesses will host a Breakfast for Dinner Beer Pairing event at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Farmers Hardware, 35 Maple Ave. The pairing will offer a three-course brunch-inspired meal paired with craft brews selected by Pint Sized. Courses include Eggs Diablo with Greens paired with Lost Nation Mosaic IPA, Honey Butter Fried hicken and Waffles paired with Burial Mango Honey Prayer Belgian Blonde, and Cap’n Crunch Berry Cobbler paired with Collective Arts Brewing Imperial Porter. Tickets for this event can be purchased online at https://squareup.com/store/ farmershardwareevents.
More information about Saratoga Beer Week and its upcoming events can be found online at saratogabeerweek.com, where event tickets are available for purchase while supplies last.