Syracuse,
NY – June 2017 / Newsmaker Alert / Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
has announced that the Great New York
State Fair will host a professionally judged beer competition to further
promote New York’s growing craft beverage industry. The New York State
Craft Beer Competition will award medals to the best beers in 20 categories,
and the highest scoring beer in all categories will be awarded the Governor’s
Excelsior Cup. Sponsored by the New York State Brewers Association, top
professional and amateur judges from around the state will sample submitted
beers in an official, private judging session on July 29, 2017.
“After cutting red tape and
removing barriers to growth, New York’s craft beverage industry is thriving
in every corner of this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “Building on the success
of the Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge, this competition taps professionally
trained judges, opens the playing field to New York brewers, and will further
promote the world class beverages made right here in the Empire State.”
The New York State Craft
Beer Competition is open to any craft brewer located in New York State.
As many as three gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded in each
of the 20 categories, which include major styles of beer, such as IPAs
and Lagers, as well as niche or emerging styles, such as sour beers or
fruit and spice beers. Brewers may enter more than one variety of beer
and each entry is $45. A complete list of rules, categories and entry instructions
can be found at www.nyscraftbeer.com.
The Governor’s Excelsior
Cup winner and other awardees will be displayed in the Horticulture Building
at the Fair, which runs August 23 to September 4, 2017. In addition, the
Fair offers all brewers the opportunity to have their beers sampled at
a sampling booth near the displayed awards and brewers may host one of
the Fair’s daily Taste NY Wine and Beer Seminars. The seminars occur three
times every day and allow beverage industry owners and experts the opportunity
to provide product samples and educate the public about their beverages.
The competition follows and
complements the successful Taste
NY Craft Beer Challenge, in which a public vote via social media determined
five finalists and a panel of expert and celebrity judges chose the winner.
The New York State Craft Beer Competition will be judged professionally
by judges with training or certification in the manner of major wine, beer
and spirits competitions.
Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership,
the state continues to drive the craft beverage industry forward. By passing
major pieces of legislation, launching aggressive promotional campaigns,
and implementing considerable regulatory reforms, this sector of the economy
has become a major driver of job creation and economic development in communities
throughout the state. Today, there are more than 340 microbreweries, farm,
and restaurant breweries across New York – representing a nearly 600 percent
growth in the industry.
New York State Brewers Association
Executive Director Paul Leone said, “The New York State Brewers Association
is extremely proud to be working with Taste NY and The Great New York State
Fair on this official craft beer competition. Governor Cuomo’s efforts
to support the growing craft beer industry through favorable legislation
has given a platform for the over 340 breweries to compete in 20 categories
to win either gold, silver or bronze medals for the best New York State
beer in each category, with the overall Best of Show winning the Governor’s
Excelsior Cup. The best part is, the public will have an opportunity to
try many of the winning beers at this year’s State Fair.”
Acting Fair Director Troy
Waffner said, “The Fair has increased its promotion of New York’s great
beverages every year under Governor Cuomo’s leadership. The state’s fair
is the right place for the state’s official competition and the Brewers
Association is the perfect partner -- they’ve been instrumental in aiding
the growth of the industry. I am excited for this competition and am looking
forward to tasting some of these great beers.”
New York State Agriculture
Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York’s craft beverage producers
are among the best in the business, and thanks to Governor Cuomo’s support,
the industry continues to thrive. We are excited to put the excellence
of our brewers on display at the Fair this year and showcase the top producers
of their craft.”
New York State Liquor Authority
Chairman Vincent Bradley said, “By working hand-in-hand with the industry,
Governor Cuomo has modernized the laws and streamlined regulations leading
to a revival of craft beer manufacturing in New York. With every corner
of our state now home to a craft brewery, the New York State Craft Beer
Competition will showcase both our state’s world class brewers and the
enormous impact they’re contributing to New York’s economy.”
The Great New York State
Fair operates competitions in nearly 70 categories, most of them promoting
aspects of New York State agriculture. Competitions include various culinary
events, horse and livestock competitions, crop and flower events, dairy
products, Christmas trees and amateur wine. There are also competitions
in fine arts areas such as painting and drawing, photography, sculpture,
and poetry. Events for young people include a talent competition and youth
agricultural and 4-H events. State Fair competitions are open to any New
Yorker. Details can be found on the Competitions
page of the Fair’s website.
About the Great New York
State Fair
The New
York State Fair, operated by the New
York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs from August
23 to September 4, 2017. The Fair’s mission, reflected in its theme, “Find
Your Great...,” is to showcase the best of New York agriculture while providing
top-quality entertainment.
The 375-acre New York State
Fairgrounds is undergoing the most significant transformation since it
first opened its gates in 1890. The $50 million plan, announced by Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo, revitalizes the grounds in many ways, improving the quality
of the fairgoer’s experience and providing greater economic benefits for
the region. Improvements include the dramatic new Main Gate— the arches
of which recall the carriage gate that greeted fairgoers in 1900, a larger,
15-acre Wade Shows Midway that will hold more rides than ever, and the
brand new 315-site Empire RV Park with underground water, sewer and electrical
service. The plan will better position the New York State Fairgrounds as
a premier year-round, multi-use facility that can attract more events and
visitors from across the nation. Renderings can be viewed
here.
A year-round schedule
of events is available on the Fair’s
website. Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook,
follow @NYSFair on Twitter, and
enjoy photos from the Fair at Flickr.com/photos/nysfair.
Also,
New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State
Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.
Media Contacts:
Jola
Szubielski
Public Information Officer
NYS Department of Agriculture
& Markets
518-457-0752
Dave
Bullard
Public Relations
New York State Fair
315-487-7711 x 1377 |