Empire BrewFest in Syracuse, NY

The Empire BrewFest is an event that takes place each year in Clinton Square in Syracuse, NY. This year, the event will be held on Friday, July 16^th from 5:30PM to 10:30PM. The event features over 200 different craft beers from over 60 breweries for you to sample. This is a fun event that usually draws a large gathering of adults from the Syracuse area.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.empirebrewfest.com/, locals Wegmans grocery stores, Empire Brewing Company, Galeville Grocery, Party Source Beverage Company, Middle Ages Brewing Company, and Brilbeck's Corner Market. You will probably want to purchase your tickets in advance because the price rises $10 on the day of the festival. There are a few different kinds of tickets available. A Connoisseur ticket will grant you early admission beginning at 4:30pm, a private seating area, a catered dinner by Limp Lizard, complimentary gift, and a sampling glass. There are only 100 of these tickets available and they cost $99 each. General admission tickets are more reasonably priced at $39 in advance and include admission to the event, a sampling glass, and beer samples. For $19, a Designated Driver ticket will get you into the event and non-alcoholic beverages. There are also Designated Driver VIP tickets which include ice cream and dinner for $29. Guests must be 21 or older to attend the festival.

Musical groups performing at the event include Phil Minissale, Defense Mechanism, The Moho Collective, Jamie Kent & The Options, and Mike Powell.

There are several local hotels if you are coming from out of town. They may be a good option as well if you are not able to find a designated driver. These include: The Parkview Hotel, Genesse Grand Hotel, The Radisson at The Marx, and Econo Lodge - University/Downtown. Parking is convenient since there is a local parking garage nearby.

Many well-known (as well as lesser-known) breweries will be participating. Here are some of them, just to name a few: Blue Moon, Boddingtons, Dogfish Head, Duvel, Ellicotville Brewing Company, Great Lakes, Guinness, Harp, Ithaca Beer Company, Killan's, Lake Placid, Magic Hat, Middle Ages Brewing Company, Newcastle, Sam Adams, Saranac Brewery, Sierra Nevada, Southern Tier, and Woodchuck Amber Cider.

This event is an enjoyable way to spend an outdoor Friday afternoon in the summer. Typically, about 5,000-6,000 people attend so if you are from the area you are sure to see people you know.