For those who have heard of the artist who gained some measure of fame on the PBS show “The Joy of Painting,” who wouldn’t want a glass adorned with the artwork of someone described as the “Bob Ross of beer” by Imbibe magazine?
Preferably one that comes with a beer — a craft New York beer, to be more precise.
Traditionally held in the fall, the fifth annual New York State Pint Days this year kicked off May 8 and continues through May 11 at participating breweries across the state.
The event now better aligns with seasonal brewery operations and helps kick off the summer beer season, according to Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association.
Which, judging by hot-fun-in-the-sun releases such as Genesee Brewery’s Mango Peach Kolsch, the summer season is now.
About the Pint Days beer glass
Craft beer enthusiasts will be able to collect limited-edition pint glasses, this year with artwork by cartoonist and beer educator Em Sauter of Pints and Panels that depicts the state’s vibrant craft beer culture, according to the Brewers Association.
Sauter’s design celebrates New York’s brewing culture, incorporating state emblems such as the beaver and the state seal.
“This design is a toast to the state’s brewing heritage and its passionate beer lovers,” Sauter said in a statement announcing the event.
NYS Pint Days glasses are available at area breweries
The limited-edition glasses will be available for purchase at more than 70 participating breweries throughout the state, while supplies last.
In Western New York, participating breweries include the Kent Beer Company in Andover. Note, Kent’s is closed Sunday for Mother’s Day.
In the Southern Tier, the association lists participating breweries at Tub Town Brewing in Bath, Personal Best Brewing in Ithaca, and Scale House Brewery in Hector.
Finger Lakes participants include Big aLICe Brewing Co., Brewery Ardennes, War Horse Brewing and Watershed Brewing in Geneva; Genesee Brew House in Rochester; Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co. in Weedsport, Cayuga County; Noble Shepherd Craft Brewery in Bloomfield, Ontario County; Okay Beer Co. in Honeoye Falls; Prison City Brewing on North Street and State Street, Auburn, Cayuga County; Rising Storm Brewing Co. in Avon, Livingston County; Runaway Blue Brewing in Newark, Wayne County; Solitude Brewing Co. in Lakeville, Livingston County; Swiftwater Brewing in Rochester; and Twisted Rail Brewing in Canandaigua.
Each glass sale includes a $1 donation to the Brewers Association and its regional sub-guilds, directly supporting their mission to unify, protect and promote the state’s more than 500 independent craft breweries through advocacy, education and marketing.
Since its inception, more than 40,000 Pint Days glasses have been sold. Past designs have garnered international acclaim, including Gold Crushie awards in the International Craft Beer Marketing Awards.
For a list and map of participating breweries and to learn more about NYS Pint Days, visit www.thinkNYdrinkNY.com/nys-pint-days. Enthusiasts are encouraged to share their Pint Days experiences on social media and tagging @NYScraftbeer #thinkNYdrinkNY.
Looking back at New York Craft Beer Day
New York State Pint Days comes on the heels of New York Craft Beer Day, a day of celebration decreed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The first celebration of New York Craft Beer Day on April 11 was an opportunity to sample some of the craft beer being made in the state and to honor the beer makers who drive an industry experts say is responsible for supporting 22,000 jobs and generating a $4.8 billion economic impact.
The “holiday” is all about supporting small business, which just happen to be breweries in this case, Leone said at the time.
“Hopefully, it will become a thing people care about,” Leone said.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Brewers in Southern Tier, WNY, Finger Lakes mark NYS Pint Days. Here’s what’s happening
Reporting by Mike Murphy, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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