Award-Winning Long Island microbrewer, Blue Point Brewing Company, is celebrating their 10th anniversary with a special event being held at the brewery from 2-7pm on June 13. The anniversary celebration will include the debut of a special limited-edition commemorative beer, fittingly named The Blue Point Brewing Company 10th Anniversary India Pale Ale, and will also include an amazing lineup of musical guests including Grammy-nominated headliner Robert Randolph and the Family Band.
After working together as brewers more than a decade ago, it became apparent to Mark Burford and Pete Cotter that it was time for Long Island to open its first microbrewery and they were the two guys just crazy enough to go for it, opening the doors of The Blue Point Brewing Company in 1999. Burford and Cotter site one of their greatest achievements over the past ten years as the day they took home the gold medal for their Toasted Lager in the 2006 World Beer Cup.
When asked specifically about the changes to the Long Island craft beer scene in the years since Blue Point Brewing Company began, Burford, Co-Owner and Brewmaster at The Blue Point Brewing Company, replied “the Long Island beer community has become more sophisticated and numerous over the last ten years. I see that accelerating and continuing.”
Despite the weak economy, sales from craft breweries like The Blue Point Brewing Company are growing nationwide. The Brewers Association, which tabulates industry growth data for U.S. breweries, reports, today’s small independent craft brewers are gaining alcohol market share due to a shift toward full flavor beer and increased support for local breweries. From 2007 to 2008, estimated sales by craft brewers were up 5.9 percent by volume and 10.1 percent in dollars. Both Burford and Cotter concur and humbly credit much of the brewery’s success to “the people that work here. They are constantly amazing us.”
“Our brewery has been one of the fastest growing independent craft breweries in the U.S. for three consecutive years,” said Cotter.
The year-long celebration will begin with a special VIP, invitation-only, event on Friday, June 12th where invited guests including prominent New York State and Long Island political leaders, industry innovators, and local media will gather to have a meet-and-greet with the brewery staff and tap the first keg of the anniversary brew.
The festivities will continue on Saturday, June 13th, with a not-to-be-missed celebration “unlike any event ever held at the brewery” said Cotter. Welcoming the public-including the loyal, passionate, die-hard fans of the brewery-Saturday’s special event will be held at the brewery from 2-7pm.
“The party will have everything we love” said Burford, “our customers, great beer, awesome music, and great food.” Ten years have passed and they still run their business by the same philosophy initiated a decade ago “good people drink good beer,” boasts Burford. “The brewery has become a crossroads for people of all walks of life who wanted to enjoy tasty brews and kind folks,” he added.
The Blue Point Brewery is located at 161 River Avenue in Patchogue, New York. Tickets to the special event are $65 (designated driver tickets are $15) and can be purchased at www.CraftBeerFestivals.com/BluePoint10. This is a 21+ event.
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