Well, the 8th annual event is now history and we survived our third visit. For a state-only festival, this is a great event! Thirty breweries from all over the state of NY come to this two session happening and I think they enjoy it as much as the attendees. It is two long days of pouring beer, but the crowd is usually well-behaved and enjoy good beers.
Having only been at the Saturday sessions, I cannot speak for the Sunday crowds, but I'm sure they are smaller and made up of locals, unemployed or diehard beer lovers! Maybe some year we'll do both!
I have written about this festival each year and I can't say enough about how well-organized it is. They supply volunteers to pour for the brewers so they have time to rest and enjoy some of their peers' products. It also gives them a chance to talk to the people who travel to see them as well as drink their creations. Food is unbelievable....this year, there were soups, different kinds of chili, sandwiches of all kinds and the usual finger foods brought around by the waitstaff. Come hungry and you'll definitely leave full! Water was available to keep you hydrated. The restroom facilities are large and capable of handling the crowds without much, if any, wait.