TAP^SM New York started out 15 years ago with a couple hundred beer fanatics and a handful of craft brewers at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, and has grown into the longest running craft beer and food event in New York State.

TAP^SM New York has grown over tenfold through the years to now encompass the entire Base Lodge facilities at Hunter Mountain, plus added tent space. Over 40 invited breweries representing well over 100 individual beers offer everything from IPAs and lagers to wiesbiers, doppel and trippel bocks, stouts, ales... pretty much any variety you know of, and probably a few that you don't.

Craft brewing is alive and growing in New York State. The resurgance of craft brewing, spawned in part by the creative brewers at Saranac and Boston Brewing, has lead to fuller bodied, flavorful brews featuring rich colors, bold flavors, and imaginative ingredients. New craft breweries are opening every year, and we're both happy and prowd to welcome them aboard.

TAP^SM New York is also about food. Each year we offer plenty to eat. The food theme for 2011 is Comfort Food. Daily cooking demonstrations will also show you some great ideas for your own kitchen.

TAP^SM is also a beer competition. Brewers from across the state enter their finest suds to compete for plaques and trophies. Each year on Saturday at TAP^SM, highly qualified judges choose the best craft brewery in New York State and also the best brewery in the Hudson Valley. On Sunday, the panel of judges decide the best indiviual beers in both the Hudson Valley and the entire state.

Above photos courtesy of John Vaccarelli.