Taste New York Craft Beer Challenge: The Winners Are…

Written by TroutTown on May 18, 2017

NEW YORK CITY — A first-of-its-kind contest to name New York state’s best brewery ended Wednesday in a tie.
The Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge awarded its top prize to both Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown and Roscoe Beer Co. (Trout Town) of Roscoe.

Five finalists had been chosen to enter today’s judging through an online poll conducted in the first two weeks of May. The finalists were invited to bring one beer each — a signature brew — to the tasting held near Battery Park in Manhattan.

Ommegang brought its Three Philosophers Quadrupel, a strong and dark Belgian ale that is blended witk a Belgian cherry beer called kriek. Roscoe’s entry was its Two Headed Stout, a strong (8 percent alcohol) and dark, robust stout.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo initiated the Craft Beer Challenge, through the state’s Taste NY program, to call attention to the booming craft beer industry in New York. New York state now has more than 300 breweries, up from about 100 five years ago.

The other three finalists in the challenge were Genesee Brewing Co. of Rochester, Southern Tier Brewing Co. of Lakewood (near Jamestown) and Prison City Pub & Brewery of Auburn.

“The Taste NY challenge was a great way to shine a light on the incredible craft beer industry in NYS,” Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association said in a text message from the judging. “Congratulations to Roscoe and Ommegang for winning this inaugural event, a huge thank you to Governor Cuomo for his continued support by creating this annual event.”

Judges for the final contest included celebrity chef Mario Batali, former Buffalo Bills star Thurman Thomas and several beer writers and other authorities.

By Don Cazentre | dcazentre@nyup.com | www.newyorkupstate.com
on May 17, 2017 at 6:43 PM, updated May 17, 2017 at 6:51 PM

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