If you haven’t been on a Schooner before now is the time to go!  The New York State Beer and Cheese Pairing Sail is a two-hour sail through the New York Harbor. There will be 5 craft beers paired with 5 fine cheeses.  Also, there will be a guest host from one of NYC’s best breweries, such as Coney Island Craft Brews, Kelso, Keegan Ales & Fire Island Brew.

The New York State Beer and Cheese Pairing will be held on August 3rd at 6:45pm.  For more information visit their website.

The Long Island City Craft Beer Festival will be held at Water Taxi Beach on September 25th, 2010.  This festival will host over 25 of America’s best craft breweries and will total over 50 samples in all.

There will be two sessions – Session 1 will begin at 12:30 and end at 4pm.  Session 2 will begin at 5:30 with last call at 9pm.

Brewers in attendance at the Long Island City Craft Beer Festival will include Dogfish Head Brewery, Thomas Hooker Brewing, Allagash, North Coast Brewing Company, Stoudts Brewing Company, Fire Island Beer Co, Kelso of Brooklyn and Sam Adams.

For more information visit http://www.liccraftbeerfest.com/

On July 28th at 6-8pm Puck Fair Bar of 298 Lafayette St will hold a Saranac/Lake Placid Tasting.

Details are limited, check out http://www.puckfairbar.com/ for more info!

Just a quick announcement – The North Folk Craft Beer BBQ and Wine Fest has already sold out of their VIP Session.

In case you don’t know yet, the North Folk fest will feature over 50 craft breweries, and is held in Martha Clara Vineyards in jamesport NY.

The fest will be held on August 14th, 2010 and will feature 2 sessions, one of which is sold out.  The session that is stil available starts at 6pm.

For more information and tickets, visit http://www.northforkcraftbeerfestival.com/

There’s nothing better then a craft beer fest then a BBQ. And wine doesn’t hurt either. On August 14th, these three collide at the North Folk Craft Beer BBQ and Wine Festival at Martha Clara Vineyards in Jamesport NY.

This Long Island festival will consist of some of the best local and regional brewers such as Dogfish Head, Brooklyn, Ithaca, Founders and Fire Island.

Visit http://northforkcraftbeerfestival.com/ for more information!

Continuing the now weekly beer & brewery events, the Wild Goose, at 530 Forest Avenue Staten Island, NY, welcomes Magic Hat Brewing Company.  Beers will be from the Odd Notion series, their 100 IBU IPA and their American Pale Wheat Ale.

Come on out to The Wild Goose and get ready to experience some of the “Strange Brews” that makes Magic Hat so unique!

For more information visit the Wild Goose’s website

Tomorrow, February 10th, join the Village Pourhouse in NYC, for a Chocolate, Cherry & Wheat Beer Tasting to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Pourhouse Beer Sommelier will take you on a journey through the history of their favorite beers they love. Taste some of our unique brews and interesting Beer Concoctions for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Learn more at the Village Pourhouse’s website

Paste Magazine will be at Stags Head, 252 E 51 st, in NYC on Wednesday, Feb 10th, celebrating their picks for top American breweries of the decade. We’ll have $4 drafts from 6:30-9:30PM, including beers from Rogue, Lagunitas, Ommegang, Jolly Pumpkin, Wayerbacher, Avery, Allagash and more! 16 draft lines plus 1 on cask! Come speak to the publisher and editor of Paste, plus beer representatives from all the breweries.

Learn more at the official event website

Brooklyn Brewery – Black Chocolate Stout

Brooklyn Brewery - Black Chocolate Stout

THE POUR: Very, very dark body. Head is about 1-2inches and a brownish color – you can tell there is cocoa here.  Nice lacing after head dissipates. Looks beautiful in the glass, and pours very smooth.

THE AROMA: Sweet malty smell with roasted espresso tones. Alcohol is very noticeable at 10% abv.

THE TASTE: Very smooth beginning, with a bitter chocolate taste filling the mouth.  The initial taste is very malty and almost thick, with immediate alcohol taste. Finishes with bitter but smooth. Cocoa lasts on the palate.

THE DECISION: I found this beer to be a great sipping stout.  The alcohol is a little overpowering, yet I think it is necessary to gain the full experience from beginning to end that this stout delivers.  If you are a fan of stouts and espresso, you will find this to be a very pleasing winter beer.

THE GRADE: A

Join the Loyal Dog in Lindenhurst, NY on Wednesday, January 27th for their second annual beer festival.  This beer festival will feature 9 different ales from around the world – three blondes, three brunettes and three red heads. $50 dollars for non-brew club members, $40 for members. Doors open at 8pm. For more information, call the Loyal Dog at 631-225-1535