The 1780 Beer Challenge and Revolutionary War Festival Coming to Middleburgh in May

MIDDLEBURGH - On Saturday May 16th, The Middleburgh Library, The Albany Ale Project, and Green Wolf Brewing Company are hosting a day long (1 pm to 5 pm), family-friendly event celebrating beer, brewing, and Middleburgh's Revolutionary War history. 

The event will be held on Baker Avenue around Green Wolf Brewing Company and behind the Middleburgh Library. Partial proceeds will go to benefit the Library.

Activities include a Revolutionary War encampment, colonial brewing and cooking demonstrations, 18th century toys and games for kids, talks on the history of beer and hopes in upstate New York and the Schoharie Valley, a Schoharie Valley hops display at the library, beer samples from Green Wolf and MacKinnon Brothers, and Green Wolf brewery tours.

Middleburgers BBQ and Under the Nose gift shop and bakery will be offering barbeque and baked goods for sale, while Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod will be selling and signing copies of their book Upper Hudson Valley Beer. The day will culminate with The 1780 Beer Challenge, cask tapping and tasting.

The result of a challenge between the Albany Ale Project, Green Wolf Brewing Co., and MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co., the beer-infused re-enactment of the 1780 stand off in Middleburgh between New York's Loyalist raiders and the Albany County Militia will be fought this time with hops, grain, and yeast, instead of muskets and cannons. 

Combining forces to create two Revolutionary War-era inspired beers made from locally-sourced, traditional late 18th-century ingredients and historical brewing techniques, the beers will be blind judged against each other by WNYT NewsChannel 13's morning anchor Phil Payly, food and drinks writer Deanna Fox, and Middleburgh Library Director Teresa Pavoldi. 

The winner receives bragging rights and the official "1780 Beer Challenge Champion" barrel head. The loser must hoist their opponent's flag in their respective brewery or taproom. There will also be a People's Choice vote for best beer.

Admission for the 1780 Beer Challenge and Revolutionary War Festival is $15 (for adults 21 years of age and older) and includes beer sampling tickets and a Green Wolf sampler glass, or $35 for sampling tickets, a Green Wolf sampler glass, and a signed copy of Gravina and McLeod’s book Upper Hudson Valley Beer. Admission for non-drinkers, or those 20 years of age or younger is $10. Children and teenagers under 15 are free.

All ages are welcome but you must be 21 to drink.