So you've been to the great big beer fests where you find a lot of fizzy yellow beer, overpriced food and too many people crammed into a smoke filled events center, right?  That sounds like it might be fun, or maybe not.  We here at Madison County Tourism have the cure for the common beer fest. How about an outdoor, fall festival with local and regional CRAFT beer companies.  Buy local and drink local right?  That's what you are going to find at today's Hop Fest in Oneida.  Over 2-dozen local and regional breweries will be on hand to offer samples of their beers.  A good time should be had by all.  Here is the list of brewers and the beers that will be available today at Hop Fest in Oneida.

Cooperstown- (6 styles)-Backyard India Pale Ale, Nine Man Golden Ale, Benchwarmer Porter, Pride of Milford Special Ale, Old Slugger Pale Ale, Strike Out Brown Ale

Landmark Brewing- (2 styles)  and German Beer- Haufbrauhaus

FX Matt-Saranac- (2 styles) Octoberfest, Pumpkin Ale

Middle Ages- (3 styles)

Empire Brewing Co.- (2 styles) Empire State Pale Ale, Empire IPA

Sackets Harbor Brewing Co. –War of 1812 Amber Ale

Cortland Beer  (2 styles)

Ithaca (2 styles)

Sam Adams- (5 Styles)Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Angry Orchard Cider:crisp, Traditional Dry, and Apple Ginger

Keegan’s Mother’s Milk

Butternuts Heinineweise

Threeheads Blimey English Pale Ale

Doc’s Pear Cider Draft

Bluepoint Blueberry

Magic Hat #9

Ommegang Belgian Independence Day

Brooklyn Lager

Southern Tier Imperial Pale Lager

Yuengling Porter

McSorleys

Blue Moon Pumpkin

Woodchuck
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
On Saturday, September 17 from 12-2 pm at the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street will be The Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing. This event is one of the many activities happening at the 16th Annual Madison County Hop Fest on September 17th! 
From 12-2 come enjoy the Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing that matches an area restaurant with a craft brewery to create an appetizer using beer as one of the ingredients. The Colgate Inn of Hamilton is preparingbraised pork canapé in Carolina barbeque sauce on jalapeno cornbread topped with a Granny Smith apple, beer and onion chutney paired with Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA.  Hamilton Inn of Hamilton is preparing Banana Beignet/ Stout Ice Cream/ Beer Caramel. Leandro’s Restaurant and Sports Bar of Canastota  is preparing AKC Wild Pork Wings with Magic Hat #9 Sweet and Spicy Glaze and paired with Magic #9. The Ye Olde Landmark Tavern of Bouckville is preparing BBQ braised pork jalapeno hush puppy with green apple slaw paired with Southern Tier’s IPA. Centro’s Restaurant in DeRuyter will also be participating. Tickets are limited- only 150 will be sold.   Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door if available. Tickets can be purchased at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or by sending a check payable to the Madison County Historical Society, or by contacting the participating restaurants.

From 2:30-5:30 on the society’s grounds under the Beer Sampling Tent come sample over 30 styles of craft beer from Cortland Brewing, Matt-Saranac; Three Heads, Southern Tier, Sackets Brewing, Landmark, Ithaca, Sam Adams, Empire, Middle Ages, Cooperstown, Ommegang, and more!! Tickets for the Beer Sampling are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Kraig’s Kegs in Sherrill, the Madison County Historical Society, or online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The 16th Annual Madison County Hop Fest fun-filled weekend starts at the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern in Bouckville for the Hop Fest’s Paired Beer Dinner on September 16 at 6 pm.  The five-course meal created by Culinary Institute Chef, Andrew Hengst will be paired with a variety of craft beer styles from Southern Tier Brewing Company.
The first course is a roasted vegetable samosa of chickpea salad with cilantro chutney paired with Southern Tier’s 422 Pale Wheat Ale. The second course is a garlic soup served with crispy chorizo and parsley oil paired with Southern Tier’s Phinn and Matt’s American Pale Ale.  The third course is crispy shrimp cake accompanied with a tomato and corn salad drizzled with jalapeno vinaigrette and paired with Southern Tier’s IPA. The fourth course is Pork Tenderloin, served with apple and herb stuffing, fried brussels sprouts, macaroni and cheese in a mustard aioli paired with Southern Tier’s Harvest Extra Special Bitter. The fifth course is a pumpkin cheesecake finished with a caramel praline sauce paired with Southern Tier’s Pumking Imperial Pumkin Ale.
Tickets for the dinner are $45 and seating is limited.  Please contact the society to reserve your seat online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or by sending a check payable to the Madison County Historical Society by September 9th.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Hop plants potted in April are ready to be planted.  Hop plants reach maturity and maximum production within three years, so now is the time to purchase your very own rather than waiting until September to take advantage of their full growth potential over the summer.  Please call Norm Dann at 315.380.9389 to purchase your $5 hop plant. All proceeds from the sale of the hop plants go to the Madison County Historical Society.
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
This blog is a little late seeing how the Hop Fest dinner was over 10 days ago, but the dinner this year was so good, I just needed to share it with you in hopes that if you are reading this next year you will make the decision to come.
This year's dinner was held at Blue BBQ in Chittenango.  This is not your uncle's BBQ joint, at least it doesn't try to be.  The dinner was set in the dining room of the restaurant which was closed to regular patrons that evening.  (The bar area remained open with a full menu)  The dining room is nicely appointed and it features chocolate walls with blue accent lighting. Nice tables and chairs were adorned with cloth napkins, glass goblets for water and five forks.  Even I was curious about 5 forks, but it became clear really fast that we would need them all.
The premise of the Hop Fest paired brew dinner is to discover how various kinds of beers match up with a variety of foods.  Tonight we would be trying 5 beers matched up with five courses.  A young lady from Tri-Valley beverage was on hand to instruct us about the beers we were enjoying.
Now on to the dinner....
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
Wolf Oak Acres Corn Maze
Oftentimes I get asked "Just what is Agritourism?"  Well if I could bottle this upcoming weekend and hand it over to the inquisitive soul, they would have the perfect answer.  The best part about early fall in Central New York is the abundance of the harvest. This weekend we are all about it and I have some great ideas for you and your family to enjoy.  Don't forget to check out all of our events on our webpage.
1. Celebrate all things hops this weekend at the 15th annual Madison County Hop Fest.  From hop mustard, to great craft brews made with local hops, you will enjoy this educational, culinary, beer tasting event in Oneida.  Grounds open at 11, food and beer pairings are at noon, beer tasting begins at 2:30.
2. Have you ever wanted to see how honey is extracted from the bee hive?  Well this fall is your chance.  Tomorrow Johnston's Honeybee Farm will be open to the public for the annual extraction event. The honey house utilizes a gravity flow system that allows bottling of raw honey without the use of pumps. Located at 3653 State Route 26, half way between Eaton and West Eaton, the driveway is due north of the intersection of Bradley Brook Road and Route 26. Honey and candles will be available for sale; there is no charge for the demonstrations.
3. It is the annual Fall Migration Festival at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota.  It's Madison County's only nature center and they will be celebrating fall this weekend with an antique show and Kids Konservation Days. 10am-4pm.  There will be environmental displays, food, music, and outdoor fun to highlight the day. $2/adults $1 children..
4. Critz Farms is open for the season.  Come and see the Harvest Moon Cider Press in action.  Taste fresh cider, shop at the Balsam Barn Gift Shop and explore the Firetruck Corn Maze.  You will find pumpkins galore as it is one of the biggest crops in a long time!  They are honoring firefighters this weekend with free admission.
5. Wolf Oak Acres is open for the season.  This year their corn maze features hot air balloons.  This week is their Live to Learn Teacher Appreciation weekend.  If you are a teacher and you received a post card from Wolf Oak Acres your admission is free.
6. Farmer's Markets-- Of course the farmer's markets in Cazenovia and Hamilton are overflowing with a huge selection of fruits and vegetables grown locally by local farmers.  Get out and enjoy the bounty!
Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The Hop Fest opens on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 11:00 am- 5:30 pm with video presentations on a variety of hop related topics throughout the afternoon.
From 12- 2 pm is The Taste of Hops: a food and beer-pairing event that pairs area restaurants with a craft brewery to create an appetizer that uses beer as one of the ingredients. The Colgate Inn of Hamilton is preparing Saranac Pale Ale Jewett’s Cheddar Cheese Soup with Pumpernickel croutons, paired with Saranac Pale Ale; Blue Barbecue of Chittenango is serving Blue Point Brewery Ale ice cream sandwiches made with Queensboro’s cream and butter. Johnnie’s Pier 31 of Canastota is making Saranac Lake Placid Indian Pale Ale Shrimp Boil, paired with Saranac Lake Placid Indian Pale Ale; Someplace Else is preparing pulled pork nachos with beer cheese paired with Cooperstown’s Old Slugger IPA; Ye Olde Landmark Tavern of Bouckville will be making crispy shrimp cakes with a tomato and corn salsa and hoppy remoulade paired with Middle Ages Impaled Ale IPA. Zabroso of Oneida will also be at the Taste of Hops. Tickets are limited- only 150 will be sold.   Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door if available. Tickets can be purchased at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or by contacting the participating restaurants. 
From 2:30-5:30 on the society’s grounds, under the Beer Sampling Tent, come sample over 40 styles of craft beer from the following breweries: Matt-Saranac; Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Magic Hat; Southern Tier, Oskar Blues, Long Trail, Ithaca, Sam Adams, Middle Ages, Empire, Cooperstown, Sacketts Harbor, Ommegang, Brooklyn, and more!! Tickets for the Beer Sampling are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or Kraig’s Kegs/ Corey’s Beverages in Sherrill.
ars.
Add Comment
 
 
The 15th Annual Madison County Hop Fest fun-filled weekend starts with a paired beer dinner on Friday night, September 17, at Blue Barbecue in Chittenango at 6 pm. The five-course meal created by Chef and owner, Bob Enigk will be paired with beers from Landmark Brewery, Brooklyn Brewery, Southern Tier, and DogFish Head.
The first course is DogFish Festina Peche steamed clams with garlic, Dijon mustard and heavy cream. The second course is a mesclun salad with tomatoes, crumbly bleu, smoked almonds, and Southern Tier Raspberry vinaigrette.  The third course is Brooklyn Lager braised pulled pork cannelloni with smoked gouda lager cheese sauce, and fried leeks. The fourth course is Grilled Baby Tenderloin, served with beer and bacon mashed potatoes, crimini mushrooms, and Brooklyn Brown Ale Steak Sauce. The fifth course is  the decadent Landmark Vanilla Bean triple chocolate cake with vanilla bean syrup.
Tickets are limited, so reserve your seat by September 7. Tickets for the dinner are $45. Reservations can be made by ordering them at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest, or by sending a check payable to the Madison County Historical Society, or by contacting the Blue Barbecue.
Brooklyn Brewery, Dog Fish Head, and Southern Tier will be on the society’s grounds on Saturday, September 18 under the Beer Tent! Tickets for the brew sampling are ($25 advance and $30 at the door) and available at Kraig’s Kegs/ Corey’s Beverages in Sherrill, the historical society, or online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest. Tickets for the Taste of Hops are $15 advance and $20 at the door and available at the participating restaurants, or online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest.
For more information about the 15th Annual Madison County Hop Fest please contact the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street, Oneida, NY 13421, 315. 363.4136, 315.361.9735, www.mchs1900.org/hopfest. All proceeds from the Hop Fest support the educational programming at the Madison County Historical Society.  The Madison County Hop Fest is a 21-year and older event. Admission is charged only for the paired beer dinner, beer sampling, and taste of hops.

Add Comment
 
 
Picture
The Colgate Inn's Chris Angle
On Saturday, September 18 from 12-2pm at the Madison County Historical Society, 435 Main Street will be The Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing. This event is one of the many activities happening at the 15th Annual Madison County Hop Fest on September 18th!
From 2:30-5:30 on the society’s grounds under the Beer Sampling Tent come sample over 40 styles of craft beer from the following breweries: Matt-Saranac; Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, BluePoint; Butternuts; Magic Hat; Southern Tier, Long Trail, Ithaca, Sam Adams, Empire, Middle Ages, Cooperstown, Ommegang, and more!! Tickets for the Beer Sampling are $25 advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Kraig’s Kegs/ Corey’s Beverages in Sherrill, the Madison County Historical Society, or online at www.mchs1900.org/hopfest.
In its fourth year, the Taste of Hops: a food and beer pairing matches an area restaurant with a craft brewery to create an appetizer that uses beer as one of the ingredients. The restaurants participating this year are: Blue Barbecue of Chittenango; Colgate Inn of Hamilton; Johnnie’s Pier 31 of Canastota; Someplace Else of Canastota; Ye Olde Landmark Tavern of Bouckville; and Zabroso of Oneida. Tickets are limited- only 150 will be sold.   Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door if available. Tickets can be purchased online, or by sending a check payable to the Madison County Historical Society, or by contacting the participating restaurants.
The Hop Fest opens on Saturday, Sept. 18 at 11:00 am- 5:30 pm with video presentations on a variety of hop related topics throughout the afternoon and the crowning of the Madison County Hop Fest King at 2:00 pm. Stop in the Hop Shop for some hop-related items and hop plants, and beer pint glasses. Throughout the afternoon purchase your raffle tickets to win great beer related merchandise. Visit with the American Home Brewers Association all day. Stop by the North East Hop Alliance tent and Foothill Hops and learn about the many developments of hop growing in Madison County today. Check out the Great Lakes Brewing News booth and the Beer Connoisseur Magazine booth.  Make your reservations now for the paired beer dinner at Blue Barbecue on Friday, Sept.17. Tickets for the dinner are $45. Reservations required by Sept.7.
For more information about the 15th Annual Madison County Hop Fest please contact the Madison County Historical Society at 435 Main Street in Oneida, 315-363-4136, 315-361-9735 or www.mchs1900.org/hopfest. On Facebook you can find us at Madison County Hop Fest. All proceeds from the Madison County Hop Fest support the educational programming at the Madison County Historical Society.   There is no admission to attend the Hop Fest. Admission is charged for the Paired Beer Dinner, Taste of Hops, Beer Sampling. No one under the age of 21 will be permitted to enter the events where beer is served. Proper id is required for entrance to all areas where beer is served! Please do not bring children, strollers, or pets to the event. Tickets will be available for designated drivers (who must be 21 years of age) at the entrance of the beer-sampling tent.
Last year, Colgate Inn Chef, Chris Angle won Best of the Best at last year’s
Taste of Hops. At this year’s Taste of Hops, come vote for the restaurant that you think has the Best Food and Beer Pairing; Best use of local products; and help us choose the location of the 2011 paired beer dinner.
Add Comment
 
 
It may be the end of July, but these two headline September Events in Madison County are right around the corner.  Now is the time to make your plans and reservations for Craft Days and Hop Fest.  Both events take place at the Madison County Historical Society and both events should be at the top of your list of things to do this fall. 
Picture
Click to see full sized poster
Picture
Click to see full size poster
Add Comment