Sign up for our Newsletter

A scene from Picklefest.

Sure, wine flights are a common occurrence on the North Fork, beer flights are on the menu at several local restaurants, and some high-end roasters even offer coffee tastings.

But pickle and oysters flights?

Pickle company Backyard Brine offered its Rowdy Pepper Belly, Holiday Thyme, Pumpernickel Ry-Rys and Sweat Heat pickles served up alongside Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. beers and oysters at the Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market’s first Picklefest Saturday afternoon.

“The spicy ones we pair with a lighter beer like an IPA,” Randy Kopke, co-owner of Backyard Brine said adding that their Rowdy Pepper Belly pickles were paired with Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Belgian Blond. “Sweet pickles we pair with a porter or stout. If you take the time to select the right pairing it all goes well.”

People seemed to agree as they sat should to shoulder in the tiny market space located down Bootleg Alley off Front Street in Greenport Village. The inaugural event was one of a slew of happenings the market, which is also Long Island’s first “shuck your own oysters” joint,  has hosted in recent months. Others include a community initiative to build a robot and a weekly happy hour.

“We’ve been busy all day,” said Ian Wile, cofounder of Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market. “We had a nice crowd. A lot of pickle fans.”

Pickle lovers came from all over Long Island and beyond to taste fresh oysters and artisanal pickles made without preservatives, chemicals or, as Backyard Brine explains on its website, “any of that weird yellow number 5 stuff.”

“I love oysters, pickles and beer, so this is my heaven,” said Jennifer Hannett of Bay Shore, who tasted along with her dad John Hannett of Riverhead and boyfriend Jesse Holez of Lynbrook. “He’s a good boyfriend for taking me here.”

The pickle love was palpable as people called out shouts of “Mrs. Pickle!” when Kopke’s wife Cori walked into the market during the mini-festival.

“We get crazy followers after all these events,” Kopke said.

Pickle fans will soon see the words North Fork replacing Northport on the pickle company’s labels. The Kopkes recently relocated to Jamesport.

See more photos below.

Kristy Vaughn of Corry, Penn. and Chris Meigle of Lynbrook
Kristy Vaughn of Corry, Penn. and Chris Meigle of Lynbrook
John Hannett of Riverhead, Jennifer Hannett of Bay Shore and Jesse Holez of Lynbrook.
John Hannett of Riverhead, Jennifer Hannett of Bay Shore and Jesse Holez of Lynbrook.
Jars of Backyard Brine pickles.
Jars of Backyard Brine pickles.
Brandi, Eric and Mia Seda of East Northport.
Brandi, Eric and Mia Seda of East Northport.
Rosalie Rung and Ian Wile, the husband and wife team behind Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market.
Rosalie Rung and Ian Wile, the husband and wife team behind Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market.
A scene from Picklefest.
A scene from Picklefest.
A scene from Picklefest.
A scene from Picklefest.
That's an oyster, if you can't  tell.
That’s an oyster, if you can’t tell.
Douglas Latney of Greenport shucks some oysters.
Douglas Latney of Greenport shucks some oysters.
X
X