“New York’s world-renowned craft beverage industry is thriving and driving economic growth across this state,” Governor Cuomo said. “The high participation in the craft beer competition is one more indicator of this industry’s surging momentum. I congratulate medalists on their success and encourage all New Yorkers to experience for themselves some of the nation’s top beers at the New York State Fair this summer.”

The New York State Craft Beer Competition was open to any craft brewer located in New York State. Entries were submitted from 143 New York breweries, accounting for nearly half of all licensed breweries in the State.

Gold, silver, and bronze medal winners were 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. Gold medal winners by category are: 

• Light Lager: Threes Brewing Co.’s “Vliet” - Brooklyn
• Wheat Beer: Brewery Ommegang’s “Witte” - Cooperstown
• Fruit and Spice Beer: The Peekskill Brewery’s “Pinky Up” - Peekskill
• Belgian Farmhouse: Threes Brewing Co.’s “Wandering Bine” - Brooklyn
• Amber and Dark Lagers: Naked Dove Brewing Co.’s “Naked Dove Exposinator Doppelbock” - Canandaigua
• Amber/Red Ale: Seneca Street Brew Pub’s “Irish Red Ale” - Manlius 
• Pale Ale: War Horse Brewing Co.’s “Lieutenant Dan IPA” - Geneva 
• American IPA: Good Nature Brewing Co.’s “Blight Buster” - Hamilton
• American IPA Variations: Prison City Brewing’s “4 Piece” - Auburn
• American Double IPA: Big Slide Brewery & Public House’s “Giant IPA” - Lake Placid
• Porter, Stout and Brown Ale: Stumblin’ Monkey Brewing’s “Oatmeal Stout” - Victor
• Imperial Stout and Porter: Spider Bite Beer Co.’s “Boris the Spider” - Holbrook 
• Belgian Other: Thin Man’s “Hyperballad” - Buffalo
• Strong Ale: Heartland Brewery’s “Old Red Nose Special Edition 14” - New York City
• Wild and Sour Ale: Mill House Brewing Co.’s “Citra Bridges”- Poughkeepsie - and Rushing Duck Brewing’s “Zingerbier Berliner Weisse” - Chester - tied in this category
• Barrel Aged Sour: Brooklyn Brewery’s “Kiwi’s Playhouse” - Brooklyn
• Barrel Aged (Non-Sour): Three Heads Brewing’s “Baltic Porter Aged in Iron Smoke Whiskey Barrels” - Rochester
• Experimental: Prison City Brewing’s “Wham Whams” - Auburn
• New York State Beer: Saint James Brewery’s “Saint James Brewery Pomme- Apple Ale” - Holbrook

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.

New York State Brewers Association Executive Director Paul Leone said, “Our competition committee worked extremely hard to make this competition as professional as any in the world, and by doing so, over 40 professional beer judges and experts from across the state came together to evaluate over 700 entries. 63 medals were awarded to 45 New York State breweries proving that we are brewing some of the best beer in the country, if not the world, and we couldn’t be more thankful to Taste NY, and The Great New York State Fair for giving us the opportunity to hold the largest craft beer competition in the state.”

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “New York’s craft beverage producers are among the best in the world, and we are pleased to highlight their innovation and diversity in this first-ever Governor’s Excelsior Cup Craft Beer Competition. Thanks to Governor Cuomo’s support, the industry continues to grow every year, helping to boost agriculture with a greater demand for local ingredients. Congratulations to the winners and to all the breweries who participated in the competition. We look forward to displaying their excellence in craft brewing at the Fair this year.”

Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner said, “We couldn’t be more excited to have sponsored, in partnership with the New York State Brewers Association, this first-ever professionally judged beer competition. There is such tremendous demand for our local, homemade products and there isn’t a better place to place our craft beverage producers on display than the Great New York State Fair.”

State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, “The Governor’s Excelsior Cup Craft Beer Competition is a perfect way to showcase the amazing beer being brewed locally throughout the state. Laws and polices implemented under Governor Cuomo have made it easier and less expensive for both startups and expansions, helping transform our state into a premier destination for craft beer production that all New Yorkers can take pride in.”

Greg Doroski, owner, Threes Brewing Company, Brooklyn, said, “As New York State continues its ascendance as a leader in craft beer, it’s an honor for our team to win the inaugural Governor’s Excelsior Cup, especially for one of our favorite beers. In a time when some breweries are pushing the extreme, it’s satisfying to see recognition for Pilsner.”

Christopher Ericson, owner, Big Slide Brewery & Public House, Lake Placid, said, “It is difficult to truly express how ecstatic and thrilled we are to have Giant IPA win a Gold Medal at this competition. American Double IPAs are extraordinarily popular right now all over the US, and there are dozens of world-class examples being brewed by my fellow New York craft brewers. For our Giant IPA to be chosen as the top one in the state is such an honor and will positively impact my business in both the short- and long-term. I am humbled, grateful, and looking forward to a big celebration with my brewers and other brewpub staff members.”

Tony Cordova, head brewer, War Horse Brewery, Geneva, said, “It’s such an incredible honor to be awarded for quality beer among some of the best brewers in the country. This community constantly challenges us to be better and work harder. The collaborations, the friendships, and the inclusiveness drives us to try to do what we do best. New York State is among the top brewing communities in the US and we will never stop sharing! Cheers!”

Matt Whalen, co-founder of Good Nature Farm Brewery & Tap Room, Hamilton, NY, said, “I want to congratulate all the breweries that won medals in what is going to become the best beer competitions in New York State. It is such an honor to have our beer recognized in such a highly competitive category. This speaks volumes of the incredible job our brewers do and the quality of ingredients New York State farmers are growing. We are looking forward to being competitive in this competition year after year in what has proven to be one of the friendliest industries I have ever known.” 

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the state continues to drive the growth of the craft beverage industry. 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.

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