After a three-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous challenges it presented for the local craft beverage sector, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail has started again and released its 2020 passport program.
It began July 1, hosted by Artisanal Brew Works at 41 Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs.
This year’s passport features 52 craft beverage producers from across the eight-county Capital Region. Trail stops include wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, meaderies, and one kombucha maker, highlighting both local talent and New York state produce.
The 2019 program ended in late March when the state shutdown nonessential businesses.
“The passport is the pinnacle of what we at the Trail are trying to accomplish, in highlighting local producers and small business owners here in the Greater Capital District,” Daniel Kravitz, president of the Capital Craft Beverage Trail and general manager of Artisanal Brew Works, said in a press release.
“Even though life as we know it has changed, the Trail is still focused on safely bringing together local beverage producers within the community. We want to stress that safety is our number one priority. Please be respectful of the conditions we are dealing with so we can keep everyone healthy and happy.”
“Local breweries and distilleries are becoming more essential to both our local economy and our cultural footprint every year,” Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly said. “Saratoga Springs has always been a destination city, and now our attractions are becoming even more diverse with the expansion of unique local breweries and distilleries.
“These businesses offer a unique opportunity for responsible gathering and socializing during these challenging times, so I am so excited that the Capital Craft Beverage Trail is kicking off its 2020 Passport Program.”
Passports are free of charge and are available at any of the producer member locations. Organized by county, the Passport map takes participants on a winding trail through Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Schenectady, Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia and Greene counties, collecting stamps and earning prizes along the way.
The 2020 Passports will be good through June 2021. This year there are five prize levels.
When participants make a purchase at a producer location, their Passport will receive two stamps – one on the producer’s page, and one on the tear-out sheet at the back. Participants receive a prize once they’ve received enough stamps to fill each of the five perforated pages.
The Level 5 prize can only be redeemed by collecting stamps from all 52 producers in the Passport. The prizes are: Level 1, CCBT coozie; level 2, CCBT shot glass; level 3, CCBT five-ounce taster; level 4, CCBT waiters corkscrew; level 5, free ticket to a 2021 drink event.
Area participants in the in the 2020 Passport program are:
Saratoga County: Artisanal Brew Works, Common Roots Brewing Co., Druthers Brewing Co., Galway Rock & Saratoga Sparkling Co., Ledge Rock Hill Winery, Racing City Brewing/Oliva Winery, R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing, Unified Beerworks, Walt & Whitman Brewing, and Yankee Distillers.
Warren County: Adirondack Winery an d Northway Brewing Co.
Washington County: Northern Cross Vineyard, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing and Victory View Vineyard.
Schenectady County: Back Barn Brewing Co., Druthers Brewing Co., Frog Alley Brewing, Great Flats Brewing, Helderberg Meadworks, Mad Jack Brewing Co., the Schenectady Distilling Co., and Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.
