A Brewing Trend on Long Island: North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival, August 11th

Lindenhurst, NY, July 28, 2007 --(PR.com)-- While beer has steadily remained one of our nations most abundantly consumed beverages, craft beer is the fastest growing alcoholic beverage category. Scan data from Information Resources Inc. reports that supermarket sales of craft beer in 2006 has shown more growth than any other alcoholic beverage category. In the past three years alone, craft beer sales have increased by 31.5%, while domestic beer sales have remained flat.

Mark Burford, Founder and Brewmaster at Blue Point Brewing Company in Patchogue, NY, explains craft beer as “an unstoppable force that is just beginning to be appreciated. Long Island is one of the many places that has seen recent converts.” Whether you are a recent convert yourself, or an experienced craft beer connoisseur, the North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival, produced by Starfish Junction Productions and being held on August 11th, will enable attendees from all corners of the craft beer spectrum to sample local and national favorites.

“Long Island has become the perfect venue for harnessing the growth of the craft beer industry because there has always been a market for better beers here,” explains Donald Sullivan of the Southampton Publick House. “Craft beers are also enjoying the benefit of people simply wanting better quality in their beverage choices. Whether it is bottled water, brand name spirits, boutique wines or craft beers, Long Islanders understand that artisanal producers will provide much better quality for a relatively smaller increase in cost.” Craft breweries are meeting the local demand for higher quality beverages by “responding with a wide array of styles and prices,” explains Elizabeth Lyons of Riptide Marketing. Dudley Cates, owner of Crop Circle, one of Long Island’s newest breweries, says the growing popularity of craft beer is to be expected in our area, as “beer and wine are both such an important part of life out here [on Long Island].”

Craft beers are most appealing to consumers with diverse palates, as they offer distinct and seasonal flavors and styles that domestic or imported beers do not. While the North Fork Craft Beer, BBQ and Wine Festival will showcase 50 national craft beer industry leaders, “local craft breweries are our most anticipated exhibitors because they offer attendees a taste of our area’s finest,” says Andy Calimano of Starfish Junction Productions. “Once Long Islanders get to experience great fresh beer they will never go back. It is the dawn of a new beer drinking millennium,” says Mark Burford.

To sample unique local and nationally known brews, eat some great BBQ and listen to live music, all while supporting the Peconic Bay Medical Center, be sure to buy your ticket to the North Fork Craft Beer BBQ and Wine Festival online today at www.craftbeerfestival.com.

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