The Winter Blues Got You Down?
Find an Event to Beer You Up!
Winter is officially here and we’re in it for the long haul. Its possible March may bring us some lamb-like weather, but it’s also quite possible to see snow on Mother’s Day in May. Basically, life in Central New York is a total crapshoot when it comes to weather. To break up the monotony of snow, slush, sleet and general winter blah-ness, I’ve compiled a list of beer-related activities to check out over the next few months for when you’re ill with cabin-fever. Cheers!
Sip and Stretch Saturday
Saturday, January 19, 1-2 p.m.
IBU Brewery, 3703 Brewerton Rd, Syracuse NY
Bring your yoga mat and your craft beer taste buds to an hour-long class with yoga teacher Mercedes Lamb. This is an all-levels class followed by a beer tasting. $15/person includes your class and a 4-beer tasting flight. If you can’t make this particular class, there’s another one slated for Saturday, February 9th from 1-2 p.m.. Purchase tickets through www.eventbrite.com, or directly through the Facebook event page.
Toast to CNY Wine/Cider Tasting and Silent Auction
Friday, January 25th, 6-9 p.m.
Rosamond Gifford Zoo, 1 Conservation Place, Syracuse NY
This event is a fundraiser for the Cornell Alumni Association with proceeds going towards CNY’s scholarship programs to assist local students attending Cornell. There will be 20 wineries and cideries from around Central NY with unlimited tastings, 200+ silent auction items, basket raffles, dinner & dessert. Tickets are $40/person pre-sale, $45/person at the door. Please visit www.caacny.com/toast-to-cny/ to purchase tickets.
Syracuse Man Show & Brew Fest
Saturday, January 26th, 6-11 p.m.
F-Shed, CNY Regional Market, Syracuse NY
While I, as a female craft beer writer, take some offense to the “everything manly under one roof” craft beer expo, (Hello!? Women love craft beer too!) I’ve still decided to list this event. There will be over 40 breweries with 80+ craft brews for sampling, games, multiple big screen televisions for the different sports going on, magicians, video games, hourly giveaways —including a Kegerator— and food vendors. Your $40 ticket gets you a 5 oz. sampling glass along with all of the aforementioned activities. www.syracusemanshow.com
Sierra Nevada Beer Lunch
Sunday, January 27th, 2-4 p.m.
Prison City Pub & Brewery, 28 State Street, Auburn NY
There will be a 4-5 course menu (TBD) featuring mostly Barleywines including 2016 & 2017 Bigfoot, 2018 Beer Camp Collaboration with Avery Brewing, and much more. Brewery representatives will be in attendance at the event for Q&A and to talk all things Sierra Nevada! Tickets are $45/person, plus tax and tip. Seating is limited to 40 people. Please visit www.prisoncitybrewing.com/retail-shop/ to purchase tickets.
2019 Central New York Brewfest
Saturday, February 2nd, 1-9 p.m.
New York State Fairgrounds, Horticulture Building, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse NY
This event is in it’s 23rd year and features over 100 breweries and over 200 beers to sample. If you’re a social media user, follow @CentralNewYorkBrewfest on Facebook and @CNYBrewfest on Instagram for more details, updates, and announcements. There will be two sessions offered: The first, from 1-4 p.m., will feature live music (TBA), and the second, from 6-9 p.m., will have the SU vs. Pitt basketball game broadcasted on a giant screen for your viewing pleasure. Each session will be limited to 1,500 people. There are VIP and designated driver options available as well. Online tickets are $45-65/person without fees prior to January 1st, $45-65/person plus fees after January 1st, and you can find tickets at Now & Later, The Evergreen, Kitty Hoynes, Branching Out Bottle Shop, All Who Wander, Middle Ages, Buried Acorn, and The Blue Tusk for $45-65/person – cash only. Group tickets are also available in booklets of 15 or more and are $35 each without fees. Get yours here: www.cnybrewfest.com.
2019 NYS British Real Ale Festival & Homebrew Competition
Saturday, February 9th, 2-7 p.m.
Seneca Lake Brewing Co., 4520 State Route 14, Rock Stream NY
Brewers from around the US will be pouring carefully crafted British Style Real Ales directly from the cask. The cask ales available will include British Bitters, Pale Commonwealth Beer, Scottish Ales, Irish Beers, Dark British Beers, and Strong British Beers. There will also be live music and food available for purchase. VIP tickets are also available. Your $10 general admission ticket includes a pint glass and the ability to vote for your favorites. In addition, you’ll need to purchase tokens for 5 oz., 8 oz., or 16 oz. pours, upon arrival. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Nysbraf.com.
Beer vs. Wine – Valentine’s Edition
Wednesday, February 13th, 6-8 p.m.
Prison City Pub & Brewery, 28 State Street, Auburn NY
Underground Bottle Shop from Downtown Auburn will be on-site to assist in providing your beer versus wine face-off with a 4-course meal pairing. Menu TBA. Seating is limited at 50 max. $55/person, plus tax & tip. Please visit www.prisoncitybrewing.com/retail-shop/ to purchase tickets.
Official Onesie Bar Crawl
Saturday, February 23rd, 3-11 p.m.
Downtown Syracuse NY
Stay warm and wear your favorite onesie as you bar-hop your way through Downtown Syracuse. The kick-off party is at Corner Bar (400 S. Clinton St, Syracuse NY), and you’ll make your way to King of Clubs, The Hops Spot, Pressroom Pub, and Studio 54 with an afterparty at Trexx Nightclub. Your general admission ticket of $29.99 includes an LED bracelet, 16 oz. color changing cup, prizes for top costumes, no cover at any venues, up to 40% off drink specials and 25% off food specials at the participating venues. Ticket prices increase to $39.99 the week before the event. Get your tickets at www.eventbrite.com.
Binghamton On Tap
Saturday, February 23rd, 1-8 p.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton, 225 Water Street, Binghamton NY
This 5th annual event is serving up all sorts of craft beer samples during two different tasting sessions: 1-4 p.m., and 5-8 p.m.. There will also be live entertainment and food available for purchase. General admission is $35, VIP is $55 and includes an extra hour of sampling. Pricing increases on February 22nd. Find more info, including a list of participating breweries, and tickets here: www.americaontap.com/event/binghamton-on-tap/.
Snommegang Invitational Beer Festival
Saturday, March 9th, 2-6 p.m.
Muller Plaza, Oneonta NY
This event takes place in Muller Plaza on Main Street in Oneonta where there will be beer sampling from breweries all around the USA. Food will be available for purchase from the various restaurants lining Main Street. General admission is $50 for 4 hours of sampling, live music and entertainment, games, and a souvenir sampling glass. Ticket prices increase as of March 8th, so don’t wait! More information and tickets can be found at www.americaontap.com/event/snommegang.
IBU “Will Run for Beer” Winter 5K Fun Run
Saturday, March 16th, 11am-2 p.m.
IBU Brewery, 3703 Brewerton Rd, Syracuse NY
This is a winter FUN run, that starts and ends at the brewery. Because it is a FUN run, it will not be officially timed. More details to follow, see IBU’s Facebook page and the event page on Facebook for further details including the running route.
In addition to all these fantastical events, there are so many trivia nights to choose from in Syracuse! So drag yourself off the couch and away from your TV this winter and instead socialize with your friends, use your noggin, nosh on some snacks and drink some good craft brews.
Mondays:
Wolff’s Biergarten – 7-9 p.m., World of Beer – 7-9 p.m., Limp Lizard Liverpool – 7-9 p.m., Kitty Hoynes – 8-10 p.m..
Tuesdays:
Middle Ages Brewing Company – 6-8 p.m., J.P. Mulligans – 7-9 p.m., The Evergreen – 8-10 p.m., Coleman’s Irish Pub – 8-10 p.m., Lakehouse Pub Skaneateles – 8-10 p.m..
Wednesdays:
IBU Brewery – 7-9 p.m., Empire Farmstead Brewery – 7-9 p.m., Buried Acorn Brewing Company – 7-9 p.m., WT Brews – 7-9 p.m., The Brasserie – 7-9 p.m., Salt City Grill – 7-9 p.m., Aloft Hotel – 7-9 p.m., Stout Beard Brewing Company – 730-930 p.m., Saltine Warrior Sports Pub – 8-10, Empire Brewery – 8-10 p.m..
Thursdays:
Full Boar Craft Brewery – 7-9 p.m., Notch 8 Café – 7-9 p.m., Maxwells – 7-9 p.m., Beer Belly Deli – 8-10 p.m..
Music & Events Calendar
