Beer is beer, right? But at the New York State Fair, there’s both a range of popular domestic beer, like Bud, Coors and LaBatt’s, plus a wide variety of mostly New York state craft beers.
The State Fair once again requires that 80 percent of the beers offered by each vendor must come from New York. (That’s by the number of different beers offered, not the volume sold).
We scoured the state fairgrounds to find the best craft beer selections at the 2019 New York State Fair:
Tully's Draft House near the main gate of the State Fair has one its largest craft beer selections.
Tully’s Draft House
Location: Just inside the main gate, near the back side of the Chevy Court stage
The list: A bonanza of New York craft beers, from breweries like Thin Man of Buffalo, Sloop of Poughkepsie, and Willow Rock of Syracuse. Find beers like Galaxy Andromeda (Binghamton), Ommegang Nirvana (Cooperstown), or Good Nature Blonde (Hamilton.) It also happens to be a top spot for the old school Utica Club.
More: Plenty of seating, both under cover and in an adjacent open-air patio. Flat screen TVs. Plus, you can hear the music from Chevy Court, even if you can’t quite see it.
The giant beer list at the Beer Garden, on Restaurant Row at the New York State Fair.
Beer Garden
Location: At the eastern end of Restaurant Row, near the Cattle Barn.
The list: Try Adirondack Tangerine Dream (Lake George), Lake Placid Ubu Ale (Lake Placid), Ithaca Cascazilla (Ithaca), and many more. Non-NY crafts include Otter Creek Free Flow and Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing. Also serves wine, malternatives and some hard liquor.
More: Lots of seats under the tent. No food, but, hey, you’re at the starting point of Restaurant Row.
Beer taps and list at the New York Brew Pub, in the Colonnade at the New York State Fair.
New York Brew Pub & Distillery (Colonnade)
Location: The Colonnade is the open space under the columns adjacent to the Dairy Products Building.
The list: It includes Southern Tier IPA (Jamestown), Pills Mafia from Thin Man Brewing (Buffalo), and Nirvana from Ommegang (Cooperstown), and more.
More: It’s one of two places at the Fair with the “Bottoms Up” filling machines. And it’s just a step away from the Wine Slushie garden. Plenty of food nearby, including Tiki Turtle and Tommy C’s.
Taps and beer list at the The New York Brew Pub in The Eatery (former International Building), at the New York State Fair.
New York Brewpub & Distillery (The Eatery)
Location: In The Eatery, the former International Building
The list: Similar to its sister location in the Colonnade, its features beers top in-state beers like Middle Ages Salt City IPA (Syracuse), LIC Coded Tiles (Long Island City); and Rohrbach Space Kitty (Rochester).
More: It has a full bar serving spirits and cocktails, and the food selection inside The Eatery may be unmatched at the Fair.
Brewer and co-owner Tim Shore at the Taste NY booth in the NYS Fair's Horticulture Building. The Taste NY area has rotating group of breweries each day of the Fair.
Taste NY (Horticulture Building)
Location: Inside the Horticulture Building, (just past the long Baked Potato line).
The list: Each day of the Fair will feature different New York state breweries. Opening day, for example, featured Buried Acorn Brewing of Syracuse and Next Chapter Brewpub of Auburn. Expect something different each day.
More: The Taste NY area also features distilleries and food providers. You’ll find something to like each day of the Fair.
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