Winos sipped Long Island reds and whites during Winterfest. Foodies are filling their bellies during Long Island Restaurant Week.
Now it’s time for craft beer lovers to indulge in an event all their own.
Long Island Craft Beer Week kicks off Friday, May 8, and runs through Sunday, May 17. The festival, which launched in 2011 but was canceled last year, is back for 2015 and features a bevy of island-wide events.
The festival is focused on bringing attention to the region’s thriving local craft beer scene — and everyone from restaurants to breweries to retailers and distributors is getting in on the action.
Here are a few of the events happening on the East End:
Friday, May 8
In Riverhead, Brew Crew Cycles is hosting a special bike tour. Pedalers are scheduled to stop for tastings at all the Riverhead brewery tasting rooms — Crooked Ladder Brewing Company, Moustache Brewing Company and Long Ireland Beer Company.
That event goes from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased here.
The tour starts at 193 Griffing Ave. in Riverhead.
A little bit farther up the island, Hoptron Brewtique in Patchogue will also kick off Craft Beer Week on Friday, May 8. Starting at 7 p.m., the craft beer haven will serve limited edition Greenport Harbor Brewing Company beers including the ’13 and ’14 Triton and the return of Hopnami.
Hoptron Brewtique is located at 22 West Main St. in Patchogue.
Thursday, May 14
Digger’s Ales & Eats is celebrating the week with a special event. From 5 to 8 p.m., the popular local pub and eatery will have special beer flights featuring brews from four Riverhead breweries. Flights will be paired with four small-plates.
Digger’s is located at 58 West Main St. in Riverhead.
A few days before the 10-day festival starts, there will be a kick-off event Wednesday, May 6, at the Melville Marriott. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and feature unlimited 3-ounce tasting pours from more than 15 breweries including Long Ireland, Greenport Harbor and other non-North Fork favorites like Port Jeff Brewing Company.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofits Long Island Cares, The Lustgarten Foundation and NY Bully Crew. Guests are asked to bring non-perishable foods for Long Island Cares. Tickets are $55 and can be purchased here.
You can find our more about these events and others happening across the island in honor of LI Craft Beer Week here.
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