Events

[BEER] Breweries from across the state will appear with some of their best creations at the 2nd Annual Craft Beer Festival in Batavia’s downtown Business Improvement District. The event will draw a handful of microbreweries throughout Western New York, including 42 North Brewing, Big Ditch Brewing Co., Community Beer Works, CB Craft Brewers, Four Mile Brewing, Resurgence, Ommegang and Ellicottville Brewing Co., winner of last year’s “Brew of the Year” award for its famous Blueberry Wheat Beer.

Why is Batavia a great place for a beer festival? Well, according to the organizers, New York State was once the hop capital of the country. “Hops are typically grown between the 35th and 55th lines of latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres. These regions have just the right length of summer needed for the hops to grow before they can be harvested,” say the organizers on their Facebook page. The hops market in New York was ruined by prohibition and other factors, such as mildew and mite problems. Now much of the country’s commercial hops come from the west coast. But New York is on the comeback. According to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in in Millbrook, New York, better pest management and stronger, disease resistant strains of hops make commercial hop production in New York feasible again.

Ticketholders will be able to sample the NYS craft beers and will receive a complimentary Beertavia glass depending on the type of ticket bought. The festival will have a temporary parklet and music provided by The Bluesway Band and attendees will be able to enjoy food from local vendors, including BBQ purveyor and Beertavia sponsor Alex’s Place. All designated drivers receive complimentary drink and food with their $10 ticket. Regular tickets are $25 and include a sampler 5oz. glass. VIP ticketholders pay $35 for extra standing time, special VIP samples, access to the biergarten and a full pint glass. Beertavia will be held on Saturday, June 18 from 3-6pm in the Bank & Alva parking lot (27 Bank St.).