The Golden Tap Awards Gala, one of the premiere events of Long Island’s first Craft Beer Week, was held on May 19, 2011 at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore. Awards were given in a number of people’s choice categories, including Long Island Beer of the Year. Blue Point Brewery took top honors in several categories and Harold “Hap” Boening, President of the Boening Bros. Inc., was honored as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree. About 1500 Long Island beer enthusiasts participated in the online voting for five of the nine awards presented at the Gala.
The Winners:
Best Long Island Beer Bar: The Cortland (Bay Shore)
Best New York State Brewery: Blue Point Brewing Co. (Patchogue)
Best Long Island Brew Pub: Southampton Publick House (Southampton)
Best Long Island New Beer Of The Year-2010: BP Toxic Sludge (Blue Point Brewing Co.)
2011 Long Island Beer Of The Year: Toasted Lager (Blue Point Brewing Co.)
Several other awards were also given out during the festivities. The results of an industry-only vote named Mr. Phil Ebel of the Great South Bay Brewery in Bay Shore as Best Long Island Brewery Sales Rep. The Beer Pioneer Award honored Mark Burford and Pete Cotter of the Blue Point Brewing Co. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Hap Boening, President of Boening Bros. Inc. Home brewers Jim and Jean Thoms took home the 2011 Brewer’s Cup from B.E.E.R (Brewers East End Revival).
The emcee for the evening was Long Island comedian Dan Wilson, best known for his appearances on MTV, A&E, HBO, ESPN, and Lifetime. Attendees at the Golden Tap Awards sampled some of the Beer of the Year nominees and enjoyed light fare prepared by local eatery, Milk and Sugar. The event was sponsored in part by http://www.libeerevents.com.
