The Tap® New York Craft Brew Festival
Started in 1998 and attended by more than 100,000 beer lovers, Tap New York is one of the largest and longest running craft brew festivals in the country. After being located at both Hunter Mountain Ski Resort and Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Tap New York moved in 2025 to our new home: Blackthorne Resort in East Durham NY, just 45 miles south of Albany.
Taking place over two days, attendees can purchase tickets for either/both days that include continuous 5 oz. samples of craft alcoholic beverages, plus continuous food samples including CORN DOGS!! Each day focuses on different food options, so make a weekend of it! Additional food/dessert vendors and live music will also be present, along with games and various vendors. Attendees are encouraged to stay in overnight lodging and campsites at the resort with Stay & Play Weekend Packages.
New Date: May 15-17, 2026 (Friday through Sunday)
Event Start & End Times: VIPs get 5 hours and GAs get 4 hours of drinking time
FRI – 5:00pm-7:00pm — Brew Pairing Dinner (main lodge)
7:00pm-11:00pm — After-Party Continues at Blackthorne — Two bars with live music
SAT – 2:00pm-7:00pm — Bacon, Brews & BBQ
2:00pm-3:00pm — VIP-Exclusive
3:00pm-7:30pm — VIP + GA – taps close at 7pm
7:00pm-11:00pm — After-Party Continues at Blackthorne — Two bars with live music
SUN – 11:00am-4:00pm — Brunch & Brews
11:00am-12:00pm — VIP-Exclusive
12:00pm-4:30pm — VIP + GA – taps close at 4pm
Event Location: Blackthorne Resort, 348 Sunside Rd., East Durham NY 12423, 518/634-2541, Info@blackthorneresort.com
Blackthorne will have live music at their two resort bars on Friday and Saturday night, for folks who stay all weekend!
Specific Details:
50+ craft brewers (150+ brew options), including craft beer, cider, mead, mixed drinks, sours, and more
Continuous food sampling — each day will focus on different food themes, with “Bacon, Brews & BBQ” on Saturday, and “Brunch & Brews” on Sunday
VIP and General Admission ticket holders will be issued a keepsake sampling glass with continuous 4 oz pours
VIPs will receive a VIP lanyard, which is required to access the VIP Lounge Area
Event held rain or shine
21+ Event — no children or pets will be allowed into the event area, including babies in carriers
No backpacks or large bags will be allowed — only small purses or fanny packs, which are subject to search
No outside alcohol or weapons of any kind may be brought in
Folding “camp” chairs are allowed
A variety of dessert and merchandise vendors will offer products and services at an extra cost to attendees
Food: Menus may change, but expect the following food options to be served throughout the event:
General Admission: corn dogs, slider burgers, chicken fingers, caprese skewers, pulled pork, etc.
VIP: additional specialty options including bite-sized beef wellington, chicken souvlaki skewers, stuffed mushrooms, antipasto skewers, etc.
Music:
SATURDAY
12p-5p SAT – Guilty Pleasure
SUNDAY
12p-2p SUN – Jared Haines
3p-5p SUN – Probable Cause
Logistics: ID Check will be at entrance for all attendees. Attendees must be 21+ to enter. Designated Drivers found drinking beer samples will be asked to pay an extra $30 to get a General Admission pass. No persons younger than 21 years of age will allowed into the festival area; this includes children and infants.
Tickets: Three tiers of tickets will be released: VIP, General Admission & Designated Driver, as detailed below. Both VIP and GA tickets can be purchased for either/both days, and may also be combined with a Weekend Event Camping “Stay & Play” Package.
VIP Admission: $89 Early Bird (through January 15) / $109 Regular (through May 15) / $129 Last-Minute (if available on-site)
Limited to 500 tickets per day
Premiere up-close VIP parking
Exclusive VIP entrance lane and VIP Lanyard
Full FIVE HOURS with taps open, including 1-hour early admission
Saturday: 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Continuous 5 oz. tastings from 150+ craft brew options
Continuous food samples, including CORN DOGS
EXCLUSIVE food and beverage options in VIP Area
Exclusive LARGER take-home sampling glass
Exclusive VIP Area with rain cover, tables, seating and dedicated restrooms
Bathroom stalls
Unlimited bottled water
Live music all-day
Games and additional dessert and product vendors
General Admission: $59 Early Bird (through January 15) / $79 Regular (through May 15) / $99 Last-Minute (available on-site)
Free parking
Full FOUR HOURS with taps open
Saturday: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Continuous 4 oz. tastings from 150+ craft brew options
Continuous food samples, including CORN DOGS
4 oz. take-home sampling glass
Bathroom stalls
Unlimited bottled water
Live music all-day
Games and additional dessert and product vendors
Designated Driver: $39 Regular (through May 15) / $49 Last-Minute (available on-site)
Any Designated Driver who is found to be drinking beer samples will be asked to immediately pay a $30 up-charge
Early entry with valid VIP attendees; access to VIP Lounge only with valid VIP attendee
Free parking
Continuous food samples, including CORN DOGS
Bathroom stalls
Unlimited bottled water
Live music all-day
Games and additional dessert and product vendors
RV and TENT CAMPING PACKAGES ARE LIMITED!!
Make a weekend getaway and stay on-site. RV and Tent Camping Packages are available for Friday & Saturday, or Saturday-only. If you wish to stay in an on-site lodge or hotel room, please contact Blackthorne Resort directly at 518-634-2541, and indicate you are coming to TAP New York.
RV Site: $150 (Friday & Saturday) / $80 (Saturday only)
Premiere RV location in sites closest to Festival space until March 31 deadline
RV sites include water and 30amp electric, and are 15’ wide x 35’ deep
Ability to go back-and-forth from RV site to Festival space
Invitation to resort after-parties sponsored by Blackthorne Resort
Use of Resort pool and amenities (bathroom, showers, laundromat)
Tent Site: $90 (Friday & Saturday) / $50 (Saturday only)
Premiere tent location in sites closest to Festival space until March 31 deadline
Tent sites are approximately 15’ wide x 25’ deep; these are festival camping sites
Ability to go back-and-forth from tent site to Festival space
Invitation to resort after-parties sponsored by Blackthorne Resort
Use of Resort pool and amenities (bathroom, showers, laundromat)
