By B.J. Gamboa | Local boys strike gold!
It’s come and gone. Held at the end of April at Hunter Mountain, TAP NY is an annual craft beer event featuring New York State-only, craft brewers. Some breweries offer beers from their tasting rooms only while some, with more robust distribution, may be found across their respective regions but still maintain an attention to detail and the hands-on art of creating great beer.
Why does this matter?
Because as the craft beer scene continues to boom, it’s good to separate the wheat from the chaff. And this event recognizes the truly great brewers that live, drink and brew in our own backyards.
This year, Spider Bite Brewing Company simply crushed it.
Open Wide, a double IPA created to celebrate the expansion of their tasting room, won Silver in the Strong India Pale Ale category. Bourbon Barrel Aged Boris also won Silver while Boris, an Imperial Russian Stout won a Gold.
As if this wasn’t enough, the brewery also won the coveted F.X. Matt Memorial Cup for the Best Brewery in NY State.
Let that sink in, folks.
The. Best. Brewery. In the state!
That means Larry beat out some pretty big hitters. And what’s more, he did it before winning the same honor in 2012 just months after officially opening. Is it just me or does anyone else hear Mark Morrison’s Return of the Mack playing in their head? Just me? We’ll move on then…
Destination Unknown Beer Company in Bay Shore also hit one out of the park and won Gold in the Pale Ale category for Mosaic Mood. Using all Mosaic hops, they bill it as “a tropical pale ale with pineapple and citrus notes.” Personally, I love their IPAs and Sore Thumb (a double) is a favorite. But at 6.6% ABV, Mosaic Mood could make it into my cooler for upcoming summertime picnics.
Both these outfits are small, which proves size doesn’t always matter and quality beats quantity any day.
With Long Island Craft Beer Week rapidly approaching, what better way to celebrate than stopping by and supporting your local champs? See you there!
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