78 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • OCTOBER 2018
MAIN DISH
BLUE POINT BREWING:20TH ANNIVERSARY REBIRTH
By BERNIE KILKELLY
One year after breaking ground on its
new West Main Street brewery in Patchogue,
Blue Point Brewing Company
will hold a party on October 13 celebrating
its 20th anniversary and its move.
The party will be at the new brewery
a half mile from the original River
Avenue brewery, which is scheduled to
close at the end of the year. Blue Point,
bought by Anheuser-Busch InBev in
2014, was founded by Long Island natives
Mark Burford and Pete Cotter in
1998. At the time, it was the first brewery
to open on LI in 40 years, since the
closing of Linden Brewery in 1949.
“We thought the time was right
because there were people out there
who wanted fresh, high-quality beer,”
says Burford, who is now Blue Point’s
brewmaster emeritus. “Other parts
of the country had local microbreweries
and we saw an opportunity
to meet the demand in the market
between Montauk and Manhattan.”
After perfecting its flagship
Toasted Lager beer, Blue Point began
contract brewing it at a Maryland
brewery and distributing six-packs
to retailers in 2000. Popular beers
soon followed, including Winter Ale,
Summer Ale, Hoptical Illusion double
IPA and Blueberry Ale.
The beers gained widespread
recognition, including medals at the
prestigious Great American Beer
Festival and a gold medal at the World
Beer Cup. Distribution steadily expanded
from New England to Florida.
The new 54,000-square-foot brewery
cost $35 million and was built on
the site of the now-closed Briarcliffe
College. Its annual brewing capacity
is 60,000 barrels with room to grow to
reach 150,000, Burford says. Production
began in May and according to
Burford, the facility now produces all
of Blue Point’s seasonal beers, which
had formerly been contract brewed.
Construction begins soon on a second
floor tasting room overlooking
the Patchogue River and an indoor
beer hall/restaurant overlooking the
production facility. Plans include an
outdoor beer garden and public tours
of the brewery.
In addition to great beers, Blue Point
became known for its deep involvement
in the Patchogue community
through its support of the Alive After
Five downtown summer festival and
events at the brewery, including the
annual Cask Ale Festival.
“One of the best things about the
new brewery and the growth that it
will bring is that we were able to do
it in Patchogue,” Burford says.
For more info on Blue Point Brewing
Co., visit bluepointbrewing.com.
Bernie Kilkelly is the editor and
publisher of LIBeerGuide.com.
Blue Point Brewing Co.’s new digs debut this month.
Readings:
Tarot Cards
Psychic, Crystal Ball,
Sand, Chakra
Balancing, Palm,
Astrology, Horoscope
Psychic & Spiritual
Feeling troubled, worried, confused?
CALL FOR ONE FREE QUESTION
She has the answers and solutions! 516-747-3819
Call NOW Before Your Future Becomes Your Past
2394 Hempstead Turnpike
East Meadow, NY 11554
www.mrsangelinas.com
Advisor
Mrs. Angelina Tells About
The Past, Present and Future....
Names, Dates, Times & Places...
Tried everything and nothing helps?
Is the one you love straying away and
you don’t know why?
Whether for you, your spouse or
children...
Then, you need to see Mrs. Angelina.
She'll help guide you in all matters
of Love, marriage, career, health, etc.
Also in Garden City
Available for Parties & In-Home Readings!
LICENSED REPRESENTATIVE • FL & NY
AGENTS AVAILABLE FLUENT IN
ENGLISH, CHINESE & FILIPINO
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS
DENTAL PLANS
VISION PLANS
1600 Calebs Path Extension
Suite 134, Hauppauge, NY 11788
www.seniorhealthplanspecialists.com
OFC: 631-780-7075
CEL: 631-559-7500
Offices in Valley Stream & Bayshore by Appointment Only
NOT CONNECTED WITH OR ENDORSED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OR THE FEDERAL MEDICARE PROGRAM.
/www.mrsangelinas.com
/www.seniorhealthplanspecialists.com
