This has been a summer like no other on Long Island, and LIBeerGuide hopes that you and yours are safe and healthy as we head into Labor Day Weekend! Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those who have lost loved ones or are recovering from the disease.
Welcome to our new subscribers, especially the great folks we recently met at a fundraiser for Team Puck Cancer that raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This team, led by Jillian Weston of Jillian's Circus online marketing firm, soldiered on despite the obstacles of the pandemic and raised much needed money to support the battle against blood cancer. In this year that has been upended in so many ways, it is heartwarming to see Long Islanders rallying to raise money for many charitable causes, including food banks like LI Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank, which helps to feed our neighbors in need.
Noble Savage Brewing Launches GoFundMe Campaign
Noble Savage Brewing, which opened in downtown Glen Cove last summer, has started a GoFundMe campaign to help keep the craft brewery in business after losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Frank Bilello, who invested two years and considerable funds in renovating a century-old building to install a 2-barrel brewing system and rustic taproom, is appealing to the Glen Cove and surrounding communities for funds to keep his business alive. Please visit the Save the Savage page and give what you can -- for donations of $50 or more you will receive a "Save the Savage" t-shirt.
Bilello, who was profiled by LIBeerGuide in our monthly column in the Long Island Press in December 2019, is also asking for craft beer lovers to help by stopping by the brewery, which is open Thursdays through Sundays, to enjoy craft beer and cider on the outdoor patio, or to buy take-away crowlers, gift cards and merchandise. "Please help us stay afloat," asks Bilello, saying "we brew excellent beer, offer great service and have an amazing space for the community to enjoy."
LI Craft Beer Festivals on Hold but Small Events on Tap
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of all of Long Island's favorite spring and summer beer festivals, including the Spring Craft Beer Festival at Belmont Park, Bay Fest at Great South Bay Brewery, and the Long Island Craft Classic at Heckscher State Park. Several large festivals that had been postponed to the fall or originally scheduled for the fall have also been cancelled, including Whales Ales & Salty Tales in Cold Spring Harbor and the Great Beer Expo at the Nassau Coliseum, which is now closed. Oyster Bay's annual Oyster Festival, which typically attracts 150,000 visitors and last year was sponsored by Blue Point Brewing, will take place this year in mostly virtual mode, with a restaurant week planned in mid-October for oyster lovers to enjoy fresh oysters at local restaurants.
Smaller events are starting to be scheduled, which provides a glimmer of hope that beer tasting events will return, although with significant changes to ensure safety. Mike Marra of Unique Social Events will be holding a series of "Tails & Ales" beer tasting events at the Nutty Irishman in Farmingdale during the month of September. The outdoor events will be held on the afternoons of Sept. 12, 13, 19, 26 and 27, and will feature live music, 15 different beer samplings from local craft breweries, and food for sale. Attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs, who will also receive free treats.
Oyster lovers on Long Island will not have to wait until October to enjoy fresh oysters. On Sept. 19, the 5th annual Long Beach Oyster Festival will be held outdoors at The Cabana, a Mexican-American restaurant on the West End of Long Beach. Unlike past festivals, which were held indoors, attendees will be seated and will be served locally grown Blue Island and Peconic Gold oysters, along with unlimited Heineken and Amstel Light beer. There will be live music and the festival organizers have arranged for shells from the estimated 2,500 to 3,000 oysters consumed to be recycled through a partnership with LI-based Community Oyster Restoration Effort (CORE). Aloha 5 Mile Run to Great South Bay Brewery Goes Virtual
Another popular event that will not be held in person this year is the Aloha 5 Mile Run to the Great South Bay Brewery, which was held for the first time last year in August. Like many running events held since the start of the pandemic shutdown, the Aloha Run this year will be held virtually. Entrants will run the race distance on their own or with a small group, and send in photos and their time to receive awards. Aloha Run virtual participants can run the traditional race course, which begins and ends at the brewery in Bay Shore.
The Aloha Run is being produced by the Greater Long Island Running Club and entrants can run the race up until Sept 30. Entrants over the age of 21 will receive two drink tickets to be redeemed on separate visits to Great South Bay Brewery between Sept. 5 and Oct. 31. Entrants will also be entered into drawings for GSB products, gift cards from Sayville Smithtown Running Club and more. The Aloha Run will also hold its popular costume contest, which is a tradition at GSB races including the Mardi Gras Run to the Brewery. Runners are encouraged to be creative and send photos of your costumes, which will be judged by Great South Bay staff including founder Rick Sobotka, pictured above with the 2019 contest winners.
Long Island Craft Brewery Taprooms Opening this Fall
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, several Long Island craft breweries continue to forge ahead with plans to open their taprooms this fall. Among those breweries are:
LIBeerGuide Brewsletter Wins Press Club of Long Island Award
LIBeerGuide was proud to win a 2020 Media Award from the Press Club of Long Island, taking home a third place award in the Digital Category for Best Use of Newsletters. The LIBeerGuide Brewsletter is pleased to be in good company with the first and second place winners, Newsday's Feed Me and News12 Long Island's News12 Mornings.
Thank you to all of our readers and advertisers, we appreciate your support as we continue to spread the gospel of great beer on Long Island! Have a safe and fun Labor Day Weekend!
Follow LIBeerGuide on Social Media
LIBeerGuide has more info on our social media feeds, so like our page on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. We look forward to connecting with you!
