Baseball season is here, which makes a lot of folks very happy. But even if you find the sport dull to watch, you still might enjoy a trip to a ballpark in pursuit of that classic combo of culinary Americana, hotdogs and beer. But what if your tastes have evolved to prefer a microbrew with your weenie-on-a-bun, so that the mass-market stuff they sell at ballgames no longer satisfies? Don’t worry; the folks who put on the TAP New York Craft Beer & Food Festival have got things all figured out for you.
Each year (and this is TAP New York’s 20th!), our state’s longest-running craft beer fest dishes out a different themed cuisine to pair with your choice of 400+ beers from 135+ New York-based breweries. This year, the featured food is Ballpark Hotdogs from across the Nation. More than 30 different mouthwatering frank creations will be on offer, with toppings including the likes of bacon, salsa and pulled pork. Passed hors d’oeuvres, soups, sandwiches, burgers, the extremely popular corndogs and more are also included in the ticket price.
Live music goes on all day, while you stroll the grounds, tasting here and there and chatting with the brewmeisters. The festival also awards the annual Brewers’ Cups, including the Governor’s Cup for the Best Craft Beer in New York State, the F. X. Matt Memorial Cup for the Best Craft Brewery in New York State and the Matthew Vassar Brewers’ Cup for the Best Craft Brewery in the Hudson Valley.
TAP New York 2017 happens at Hunter Mountain on Saturday (2 to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (12 noon to 4 p.m.), April 29 and 30. A variety of admission options are available, including one- and two-day passes, the Exclusive VIP Experience, the Sunday Night Sip & Stay lodging package and discounted entry for Designated Drivers. For price points and lots more details, visit www.tap-ny.com. Or download the TAP APP festival guide, available free on iOS and Android.