BrewYork 4 and NY Brewfest

Last weekend was filled to the brim with craft beer goodness. Ridiculously so. Friday evening I joined up with fellow NY/NJ beer bloggers and ventured to NJ Beer Co. in North Bergen, NJ for "BrewYork 4". It was my first time participating in such a wondrous event, but its simple: everyone brings a few bottles to contribute and we all share in the goodness.



the first few beers that were cracked. Troegs Scratch Beer and Simply Beer's Sour Snow Wit (brewed with water from snow and then sour'ed!)


Owner of NJ Beer Co. and our host for the evening, Matt Steinberg talks a little about their new startup brewery.


Matt's first contribution (uh, besides a great place to gather): smoked pork!


Matt's other contributions: NJ Beer Co. Abbey, Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout! He also had two casks on too!


Andy Z. came up with the idea to present Matt with a plaque after we all signed it. A gracious host.


The beer ring gets bigger and bigger.


The final tally.


A few here: New Glarus Blegian Red, Cigar City Bolita Brown, Cricket Hill Bourbon Barrel Porter


Surly Smoked Lager, Deschutes Jubel 2010, Dark Lord 2010, Dogfish Head Bitches Brew


Hair of the Dog Blue Dot, Ithaca 12, BrewDog Hardcore IPA


The ladies of craft beer (L to R): BeerGoggins, BasicallyRed, TheHopsHoney, MSJernigan, Kim K of Nebraska Brewing Co.


The BrewYork dudes (L to R top): Andy Z, myself, Matt of NJ Beer Co., Greg G., Andrew M.. (bottom): Lee of Hoptopia, David of GrapesandGrains, Paul of Nebraska Brewing Co., Craig of Whole Foods Bowery Beer Room. (floor): Adam.

Some attendees that didn't make the photos: Peter from SimplyBeer, Mike from Bergenation, Warren, Chris of Brew York New York, Joe of beer and joe and John Holl.


Don't worry, we're just pouring from a growler at the light rail station. No big deal.


The imbibing continues on the NJ Light Rail.

The Next Day: NY Brewfest on Governor's Island


the line to get in. we had connoisseur's passes which got us into the event early. best purchase ever. why? you'll see.


extremely short lines EVERYWHERE! Didn't wait for more than a few seconds for any beer. Plus, FREE WATER!


Again, more short lines. Governor's Island is insanely awesome. I can't wait to go back when there aren't thousands of drunk humans stuck on the island.


On the left is the music stage which actually had some good cover bands playing.


We didn't find the VIP tent until after the general ticket holders were let in, but once we did it was an oasis. Tons of great stuff (including this one which was gone but smelled really good) and no lines compared to...


This is what it looked like by about 4:30-5. Yikes. Each line was easily a 25 minute wait. They definitely sold too many tickets to this thing.


The lawn area, that we were kicked off of at 7:00pm because "the island was closing". Despite the fact that the brewfest was going until 8. Makes sense.


The lines for the ferries were nuts afterwards with a near-riot feel as lines were a complete mess. But people were definitely happy anyways, especially once on a boat.

I'd also like to recommend checking out BasicallyRed's post on these events HERE which also includes another event I didn't make it to where Sam Calagione visited Rattle'n'Hum and Toast in Manhattan.