April 26 & 27, 2003
In 1998, The Hudson Valley
Beer & Food Festival, Inc was founded by Bill Woodring, Ken Turow,
Nat Collins, John Calen & John Eccles. The first 2 years, the festival
was held at the CIA, no, not that one, The Culinary Institute of America.
After increasing numbers forced them to find a larger venue, Hunter Mountain
Ski Resort became their new home in 2000. The next year, it became officially
known as TAP New York.
We had heard a lot about
this festival and decided to add it to our itinerary this year. Visiting
their website, I found a list of local lodgings and made reservations at
the Forester Motor Lodge which was quite convenient to the Resort. I also
ordered tickets online and printed my receipt to pick them up at Will Call.
All remained was for the
appointed day to arrive.
Not knowing the drill,
we arrived early to check out the place and arrangements. Picking up our
glass and wristband was quick and instructions given us by the door watchers
took less than a minute. Before we knew it, we were heading up the stairs
for our first glimpse. It was quite an impressive place. The venue is very
large and facilities are perfect for the event....plenty of open space,
food facilities, bathrooms, etc.
In your program book,
there is a listing of the breweries attending and a place for them to stamp
that you have been there and tried one of their offerings. If all the blocks
are stamped before 4PM, you take the book to be validated and then fill
out a chance on a trip anywhere in the world...not bad for free!
Accompanying that book
is a sheet with the beers being served by each brewery and a place to check
off each one as tasted. Nice for those of us who keep track of our choices.
You say that you need
food while you enjoy the beers? Well, that's certainly no problem here!
There are several tables of fine cheeses, pates, breads, crackers, sausages,
soups, several chili dishes, pierogies, pizza and, as if that is not enough,
servers are mingling with the crowds serving fried finger foods, sandwiches
of all kinds, pitas and meat and vegetable pies. Were we ever sorry we
ate breakfast!
In addition to all the
breweries, there are vendors of all types: beer steins and glasses, blown
glass articles, jerky and sausage makers, pepper products, honey producers,
nut roasters, etc. Also, for those who don't come for the beer, there is
a full cash bar.
Each day a well-known
chef runs a cooking demonstration and, of course, a sampling of their creations.
This year, Tim Shafer, the Beer Chef, showed his prowess and on Sunday,
Richard Kukle, a NYC private chef, wowed the crowds.
For the beer geeks, a
seminar held by well-known writers and brewers is also available. Lew Bryson,
famous beer writer and author of Pennsylvanis Breweries (1st & 2nd
ed.) and soon to be published New York Breweries, held a seminar on beer
styles with some great audience participation. Sunday's presentation was
by John Calen, brewmaster for Gentleman Jim's Bistro, and covered Beer
Appreciation 101.
What else could one ask
for? Over 100 beers, food, shopping, a chance to win a trip, all for a
measly $35 in advance, $39 at the door. I was told that, weather permitting,
they would run the chair lifts to the top of the slopes and allow the attendees
to enjoy the view of the valley.
For those within reach
of this festival, it should hold a spot on your calendar. Check out their
website
for all pertinent info on lodging, location, times, etc.
It being a ski resort
and post-season at that, there is not a lot to do outside of the venue.
There are several good places to eat or enjoy some night life. I read about
the Last Chance Restaurant in Tannersville which has an outstanding bottle
beer selection and fantastic homemade food. We enjoyed a very filling dinner
there and then perused their assortment of antiques, souvenirs, cheeses,
candy and some collector beers. The people were the friendliest we have
encountered and we look forward to returning there. Check their website
www.lastchanceonline.com
for particulars.
So, keep an eye out for
the dates for next year's festival and be ready for a trip to the mountains
of New York!
Cheers!