Combining History & Hops: Round 2 For Craft Beverage Expo

The Patterson Inn and Tavern is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Inns and taverns such as these have played vital roles from colonial times to present-day. Tina Weymann, NYS Beer Governor at Great Lakes Brewing News, will discuss their importance and, of course, how beer has made its contribution. Tina has been a beer-brewing fanatic since her childhood, and has been brewing herself for 35 years. She has also written for Great Lakes Brewing News for 20 years about the beer scene from Rochester to the Finger Lakes.

Other programs will include a Q&A by brewer and founder of Steel Phoenix Brewing Co., Ken Mortenson, an expert in the brewing business. A discussion on hops farming and its history, a talk about whiskey ales and sours, and even a malting presentation from those at Farmhouse Brewery & Malt will provide an educational and immersive look at society’s oldest craft beverage. Attendees will also be transported back in time through historical demonstrations in blacksmithing and hearth cooking.

This year’s event will offer a VIP ticket for those crazy for craft beverages. VIP ticket holders can enter the expo an hour early (noon) and try the first tastings of the day. Special hor d’ouevres will be available, cooked on-site in the hearth oven, and hand-crafted bottle openers forged by the blacksmith are a unique souvenir for VIPs who can also take home the photo book, Camera on Corning, filled with locally-shot photos of the Corning area and Gaffer District.

During the day, don’t forget to taste beers, cider and spirits from 10 local breweries, including Steuben Brewing Company, Cider Creek Hard Cider, Four Fights Distilling, Abandon Brewing Company, and more.

All attendees receive a unique commemorative pottery tasting vessel made specially for the event by a local potter.

Those 21 and over are welcome to enter the home brew contest. Blind judging will commence at 4pm, after the expo is over, and winners will be announced in the hour. Awards will be granted for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place for Best in Show and Best in Style. Come see if your brew can beat the competition.

Attendees can purchase tickets on the Heritage Village’s website. VIP tickets cost $40 online, or $50 at the gate. General admission tickets cost $25 online or $30 at the gate. There is also a $10 ticket option for designated drivers who will not participate in tastings (DDs will receive one complimentary soda or bottled water). Proceeds will support the Corning-Painted Post Historical Society.