What is TAPSM New York?

You must be 21 years of age or older to attend TAPSM New York. No infants or children will be permitted to enter the event. This includes infants in strollers or carried by a parent. For the benefit and safety of your child and all other attendees, please make arrangements to leave your children at home or with friends or relatives.

Over the years, TAPSM New York has developed into one of New York State's largest craft beer festivals. Growing is size each year, 2008 TAPSM promises to again be bigger and better than ever before, with over 100 beers from 30+ breweries across the state.

We're not talking about big-corporation beer that comes out of huge vats in a 300,000 sq. ft. production plant. We're talking about hand-made beer.... not beer that is rushed through the brewing process to get it on the shelf as quickly as possible, but beer with enough personality and genuine taste to be called "craft-brewed". This is beer made with pride by people who truely enjoy a quality, flavorful beer.

Many of the invited brewers produce their beer for sale only in their location.... whether it is a restaurant, a brewpub or a small brewery. Others are breweries large enough to distribute on a larger scale, but maintain an excellent quality through their commitment to craft-brewing their product. You won't find Anheuser-Busch, Coors, or Miller products here. What you will find are some truly remarkable beers that will tantalize your taste buds... beers that offer a variety of color and flavor that the big boys only dream of. You'll find everything from pale ales and pilseners, to weisbiers, porters, stouts, and scotch ales; from hearty Bohemian and Bavarian-style lagers to glorious Belgian-style ales and, dare we say, even more.

But TAPSM is more than just about the beer. It's about great food -- tasty morsels that carefully complement these rich brews. And plenty of it.

It's about education.... about beer, about home-brewing, about beer/food pairings.... it's about cooking demonstrations from some of the best chefs in the region (and beyond).... and it's about good friends coming together for a weekend of good beer, good food and good times.

TAPSM is also a competition. Beer experts and non-experts will judge in a competition for the "Best Beer" and "Best Brewery" in New York State. Two cups are awarded on Saturday, the Matthew Vassar Cup and the F. X. Matt Memorial Cup.

When is TAPSM New York?

TAPSM New York is an annual event. In 2008 it takes place on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th, 2008. Hours are 1pm to 5pm each day.

Where is TAPSM New York?

TAPSM New York is held in the base lodge at Hunter Mountain in the beautiful northern Catskill Mountains.

A bit of History....

TAPSM New York started in 1997 as the Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival. It was originally hosted in Hyde Park, NY at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. After two years at the CIA, the event began to grow, and organizers realized the CIA did not have adequate space to support the festival's potential size. In 1999, the event was moved to Hunter Mountain, still titled the Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival.

From the start, the HVBFF included a brewer competition. The Matthew Vassar Cup was awarded to the Best Craft Beer Brewery in the Hudson Valley, recognizing the best overall mix of beer styles.

In 2001, the scope of the event was extended to include the entire state of New York. Craft brewers from Long Island to Buffalo were invited, and the name TAPSM New York was born. Also in 2001, the first F.X. Matt Memorial Cup was awarded. In 2002, the event space was expanded to utilize nearly the entire upstairs of the Base Lodge. In 2004, the event again saw record attendance and occupied even more of the facilities at Hunter Mountain. Each consecutive year the event has drawn more and more attendees, brewers, and food concessions. With the addition of a tent in 2005 to expand the space, another attendance record was set. Each year brings more beer lovers, and for 2006 another large tent was added to provide ample space for everyone. In 2007, the event's 10th Anniversary, yet another large tent was added. The food theme for 2007 was "Best of the Last Ten Years."

Listed below, the members of the TAPSM New York Committee, who work hard all year long to bring this event to fruition:

Three original members who created the Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival, Inc.

  • Bill Woodring: President & co-founder of Hudson Valley Beer & Food Festival, Inc., Fishkill, NY
  • Nat Collins: Co-founder, HVBFF, former Brewer/Owner Woodstock Brewing Co.
  • John Calen: Co-founder, HVBFF, Brew Master, Ramapo Brewing, Suffern, NY

Plus members of Hunter Mountain staff who devote time year-round to TAP:

© 2008 TAPsm New York & Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival, Inc.
PO Box 295, Hunter, NY, 12442
800-486-8376