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When the malt dust settled at the New York State Craft Beer Competition held earlier this month in Rochester, 96 medals adorned the cans and bottlenecks of brews from across the state.
Of those shiny medals, eight were awarded to Long Island craft breweries.
That means just over 8 percent of the awards were taken home to Nassau or Suffolk counties, which account for just 3.2 percent of the state’s 62. And of those eights medals, five were of the gold variety.
What we’re trying to put into perspective here is an impressive showing for island brewers Upstate.
“This outstanding achievement underscores the dedication and talent of Long Island’s breweries, contributing to the vibrancy and growth of the craft beer industry in New York State,” said Manny Coelho of the Long Island Brewers Guild. “Congratulations to all the winners for their commitment to excellence and innovation.” (Scroll down for the complete list, and for more.)
About the competition
This year’s competition saw 1,421 beers, the highest number of submissions to date, entered by 232 breweries, organizers said. Gold, silver and bronze medals were handed out in 30 style categories, including two new categories this year: cream ales and dark lagers.
“We know that New York breweries produce some of the best beer in the country, and the feedback from our judges proved it,” said Hutch Kugeman, board president of the New York State Brewers Association, which organized the eight annual event. “The judging was extremely competitive this year and every brewery that wins a medal should be incredibly proud.”
In addition to the medals, judges selected the NYS Governor’s Craft Beer Cup as the best-in-show beer, which was awarded to Kingston Standard Brewing Co. for Love is Overtaking Me in the Barrel Aged (Sour) category.
Long Island medals
GOLD
- Bright Eye Beer Company, Long Beach, – American DIPA – 5 Cent Deposit
- Barrier Brewing Co., Oceanside – Hazy DIPA – FaultLine
- Lithology Brewing Company, Farmingdale – Brown Ale – Lithology Brown Ale
- Long Island Farm Brewery, Manorville – American IPA – Golden Hour
- Take Two Brewery, Bay Shore – Imperial Stouts & Porters – EB Baltic Porter
SILVER
- Spider Bite Brewing Co., Holdbrook – Strong Ales – Biteanator
- Greenport Harbor Brewing Co., Greenport – Fruit & Vegetable Sour – Collaboration with Carmenere
BRONZE
Bright Eye Beer Company, Long Beach – Light Lager – There and Back Helles
In addition
Donna Bregartner of Bellport Brewing was awarded the Hopsteiner Scholarship this year. The award sends one female in the industry to the conference each year.
Matt Rowsell received the Support of the Industry Award for the uncompromising work ethic he puts forth, not only to the Long Island Craft Beer community, but throughout the entire state.
Top: The brew team at Farmingdale’s Lithology Brewing Company with their gold medal.
