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NYC's Best Beer Festivals

Samplings and tastings aren’t just for wine: if you’re a beer drinker, then you know there’s a lot to learn in the world of IPAs, ales, lagers, pilsners, and ciders. Fortunately, you can get your education at one of these seven notable beer festivals that take place in New York City, held during every season of the year.

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: Brews Cruise (August)

heartland brewery barrels

There's only one thing that can improve a boat trip and that's a boat trip with a ton of incredible craft beers. Houston Hall and Heartland Brewery put a smooth finish on the month of August with an afternoon Brews Cruise. Small bites, Heartland's incredible craft beer, summer cocktails, and a live DJ will make this a ride to remember. Tickets are $30, the boat boards at noon from NY Skyport Harbor (23rd Street and the FDR along the East River) on Sunday, August 28th. The cruise runs 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Tickets at houstonhallny.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: NYC Craft Beer Fest (October)

NYC Craft Beer Fest

NYC Craft Beer Fest will be celebrating its fifth year this fall, so make sure you head over to the Lexington Avenue Armoryon either Friday, October 14th or Saturday, October 15th to partake in the festivities. With over 75 breweries in attendance, you’ll have your pick of 150 beers, ciders, and meads. One low-priced ticket gets you an array of tasting samples and a beer tourism experience that’s unforgettable. 68 Lexington Ave., nyccraftbeerfest.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: Bacon And Beer Classic (April)

 Bacon and Beer Classic

What’s better than beer? The only thing we can think of is bacon. Make the trek out to Citi Field in the early spring to get in on the Bacon and Beer Classic, where you can have your fill of both. Both beer breweries and bacon-loving restaurants partake in a fun-spirited competition at this beer fest while serving up everything from bacon donuts to bacon pizzas that can be guzzled down with IPAs, lagers, ambers, and pale ales galore. 12301 Roosevelt Ave., baconandbeerclassic.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: Tapped (July)

As Tapped proves, Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn is for a lot more than watching basketball games. Attendees can file into the iconic sports center to try more than 100 beers, wines, and ciders from both local favorite and cross-country breweries. We don’t want to say that drinking beer on the Barclays floor is better than watching the Nets score three pointers from stadium seating… but drinking beer on the Barclays floor is just about better than anything, ball and hoops included. 620 Atlantic Ave., tappedfest.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: Lions, Tigers, and Brews (June)

Lions, Tigers, and Brews

Lions, tigers, and brews? Oh my! Sorry, we had to…and you have to check out this unique beer tasting extravaganza at Central Park Zoo. Combine your craft beer (more than 150 samples!) with delicious bites from food trucks, and perhaps most exciting of all, a world-class zoo that’s ready to be explored. 830 Fifth Ave., lionstigersandbrews.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: NYC Beer Week (February) 

Who wants to go to a one or two day beer festival when you can celebrate an entire week dedicated to the beloved beverage that is beer? NYC’s Beer Week happens in the late winter (we couldn’t think of a more necessary time), and it’s an event that’s chock-full of participating NYC breweries that will knock your tastebuds out of the park. From Bronx Brewery and Eataly Birreria to Greenpoint Beer & Ale and Chelsea Craft Brewing, every NYC brewery worth mentioning is part of this city-wide event. This year's NYC Beer Week runs February 25 through March 5, 2017. nycbeerweek.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: Five Boro Craft Beer Fest (May)

Five Boro Craft Beer Fest

The Five Boro Craft Beer Fest takes place during the late spring, and it’s the perfect event to help ease you into summer’s heat thanks to the refreshingly cool beer selection offered behind its doors. Your ticket will cover your beer, food, and even live music performances, making this festival one that’s worth every penny. Try over 100 craft beers, including never-before-tasted brews. 272 Meserole St., fiveborocraftbeerfest.com

Best of NYC Beer Festivals: New York Super Craft Beer Festival (July)

Head over to Pier 15 in the South Street Seaport to experience the New York Super Craft Beer Festival that is all the more magical because of its lack of lines and sessions. As they put it, “come when you feel and stay as long as you’d like”—and with a minimum of five tasting pavilions, that’s guaranteed to be a long time. The Brooklyn Bridge makes for the perfect backdrop as you sip on a fine selection of IPAs, pilsners, lagers, and ales. 78 South St., newyorksupercraft.com


Honorable Mention: Circle Line Bear Mountain Cruises 

Bear Mountain

On weekends Sept. 17-Nov. 6, take advantage of Circle Line’s Bear Mountain Cruise, or as it has come to be known by many, the Oktoberfest Cruise. Peak fall foliage, live bands, craft vendors, and the largest pretzels known to mankind all welcome you to a hoppy universe far away from the daily grind. You can burn off all those beer and brats, plus stock up on fresh air, with a gorgeous three-hour hike along one of the 50 hiking trails in Bear Mountain State Park. They'll be setting sail Columbus Day, too. $65 adults, $52 kids. Boards 8:30am sharp. Pier 83, W. 42nd St. and 12th Ave., NY, 212-563-3200, circleline42.com

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