2008 FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

The Sixth Annual Empire State Brewing and Music Festival will be held on Friday July 11th from 5:00PM until 11:00PM (gates open at 4:30), at the City of Syracuse’s festival site in Clinton Square. Listed first by USA Today as “Top Ten Beer Festivals in the America” (June 11th, 2004).

This is not your typical “beer festival”. The festival was formed to protect, promote, represent and educate the craft brewing industry and its customers. It is a means for brewers and like businesses to inexpensively market their products directly to their target market customer. This is not a drinking event, this is a tasting event. The festival also explores a wide variety of regional and national music performers, designed to complement the event.

A commemorative 4 ¾ ounce glass is given to all patrons at the entrance. Admission allows 2 ounce samplings from a selection of 300 styles of beer. A "Cask Conditioned Ale Tent" (open 7-8pm) will be added this year as a result of the popularity and success of the "Belgium Beer Tent" (open 8-9pm) that was added to the festival in 2006. Both of these unique sampling areas are designed for the more discriminating beer connoisseur. Six bands will perform on two stages throughout the evening. Retailers related to the brewing industry will also be participating. The finest area restaurants will offer creative neo-traditional festival foods for purchase. (Ticket price does not include food).

National and international brewery representatives will be on hand to answer questions. The event is handicap accessible and is tented in the event of inclement weather.

This festival is designed for mature adults. No one under the age of 21 will be admitted and legal identification will be enforced. Please, no children or strollers. Also, please do not bring pets to the event.

I’m Smart, a professional driving service, will be on hand to assist those in need of a safe ride home for both the individual and their car at the patron’s expense. They will be located at the EXIT gate beginning at 10:00 PM.

Advanced ticket sales will be sold online beginning April 7th for $35 (plus applicable fees and taxes). Tickets will also be available on June 16th at select locations throughout central New York (see Purchase Ticket locations). A limited amount of tickets will be sold for this event and we encourage interested parties to purchase tickets in advance. Gate ticket price is $45. Music Lovers Tickets (does not allow sampling) are $20 and available at the gate. You must be 21 or older.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the New York State Brewers Association, a NYS 501(c)6 Corporation, Project Children, a 501(c)3 Corporation and the American Red Cross.

Thank you for your support.