Beer Fest in Wine Country

July 13, 2009 - PRLog -- JAMESPORT, NY.   A must for this summer’s to-do list, the award-winning North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival will return to Long Island’s North Fork this August for what can only be described as the most talked-about and most anticipated festival of the summer.  Winner of the prestigious North Fork “Event of the Year” award, the 3rd annual North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival will be held on August 8, 2009 at Martha Clara Vineyard in Jamesport, NY.  

More than fifty world-class craft brewers will gather on the picturesque grounds of the Martha Clara Vineyard to participate in the North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival.   “Long Island wine country has led the way in developing awareness for locally made high quality wine.  This beer festival will highlight Long Island’s locally made beer,” said Mark Burford, Brewmaster, Blue Point Brewing Company.

Craft brewers produce flavorful beers that combine classic European recipes with bold American innovation.  “America’s small brewers are part of a movement, a shift in consciousness, and the trading up of what beer people drink,” stated Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association.  

The festival will include a broad range of nationally recognized craft beer industry leaders, including Dogfish Head, Captain Lawrence Brewing Co., Sam Adams, and award-winning international craft brewer, Unibroue.  Shoulder to shoulder with these breweries will be Long Island’s award-winning hometown favorites, Blue Point Brewing Co., John Harvard’s Brew House, Black Forest Brew Haus, Southampton Ales & Lagers and others.  Two new Long Island breweries will be making a debut at the festival this year, Long Ireland Brewing Company and Fire Island Beer Co.  The event will feature wines for sampling from the Martha Clara Vineyards collection and other specially selected Long Island wineries.  Gourmet barbeque from Maple Tree BBQ and live music from the band Energy Express will add to the enjoyment of the day.

Back by popular demand, this year’s festival will once again include cooking with beer demos led by prominent Long Island chefs.  Attendance at the cooking demos is free with paid admission to the festival.  The event will help to raise funds for the Peconic Bay Medical Center as well as the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund.  

The 3rd annual North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival has two ticket options:  VIP (1-6pm, $75) and General Admission (2-6pm, $50).  Tickets are limited.  The event will not be oversold.  Tickets can be purchased at www.NorthForkCraftBeerFestival.com.  Tickets include a 6 oz. souvenir tasting glass with the freedom to enjoy 2 oz. samples from any exhibiting brewery.  It also includes wine sampling from select Long Island wineries.  Designated driver tickets are available for $10 each.  All paid attendees get a coupon for a barbeque sandwich and side order as part of their admission price.  Live music will be provided by one of Long Island’s hottest cover bands, Energy Express.  No one under 21 is permitted and photo ID is required for entry.  No children or pets permitted.  The event will take place rain or shine.
The event is produced by Starfish Junction, winner of two prestigious awards honoring events produced for the beer industry:  The 2008 Philly Craft Beer Fest (www.PhillyCraftBeerFest.com) was named one of the “Top 10 Beer Festivals in America” by Forbes Traveler and The 2007 North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival (www.NorthForkCraftBeerFestival.com) was awarded the North Fork “Event of the Year” honor from Dan’s Papers.

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About Starfish Junction: Starfish Junction is the winner of two prestigious awards honoring events produced for the beer industry: The 2008 Philly Craft Beer Fest (www.PhillyCraftBeerFest.com) was named one of the “Top 10 Beer Festivals in America” by Forbes Traveler and The 2007 North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ & Wine Festival (www.NorthForkCraftBeerFestival.com) was awarded the North Fork “Event of the Year” honor from Dan’s Papers.