Blue Point Brewery to Throw 13th Anniversary Celebration

Long Island’s oldest and most award-winning craft brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, will host their 13th Anniversary Celebration with the Mickey Hart Band on Saturday, August 20.

Mickey Hart, legendary Grateful Dead percussionist, brings his band to Patchogue for their only Long Island show of the summer. Hart played the brewery last year with fellow former Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann and their band, The Rhythm Devils. Faith-Tesoriero Productions is promoting the ‘brew yard concert’ for the second year running. "Mickey was blown away by the reception that he got from the crowd last year, and loved performing at the brewery. It’s not surprising, what better place to have a live show than a brewery?!" said Faith-Tesoriero’s Jim Faith.

The all-day celebration will also feature a special ‘Rusted Root Trio’ project featuring lead singer/guitarist Michael Glabicki, Preach Freedom and Colter Harper, as well as Jam Stampede (with members of Ratdog, DSO, and Zen Tricksters). Doors open at 2PM with additional surprise bands, plenty of Blue Point beer, local food, and arts and crafts available for purchase.

Not to be overshadowed by the music, Blue Point Brewery is busting out their latest craft brew just for the celebration, where attendees can be the first to try the new Blue Point White IPA. Already well known for their standby Hoptical Illusion American-style IPA, crowd pleasing No Apologies Double IPA, and last year’s heralded BP Toxic Sludge Black IPA – Blue Point’s new White IPA is brewed with wheat for a Belgian twist that is balanced perfectly by well rounded hops character.

Every spring Blue Point puts on one of the (or real ale) festivals in the region, gathering dozens of breweries from all over the country in the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. Blue Point's sponsorship of downtown Patchogue's summer street fair/concert series helped bring new life to a now vibrant Main Street in the last 10 years.

Owners Mark Burford and Pete Cotter have been throwing parties in the brewyard since they opened their doors in 1998, drawing headlining talent such as Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Donna The Buffalo, Andy Falco, House of Waters and too many local names to mention.

After hosting several successful parties, the owners thought an annual affair would be fun for everyone.

“Everyone had such a great time at our 10th anniversary party with Robert Randolph a couple years ago, that last year we brought in the Rhythm Devils for an even bigger blowout. That was such a hit, we decided to make it an annual thing," Cotter said.

The 13th Anniversary Celebration takes place rain or shine from 2-10 p.m. at the brewery in Patchogue.

Tickets are $39 in advance and $45 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.BluePointBrewing.com or in the brewery tasting room at 161 River Avenue, Patchogue. Attendees can ride the train or drive and park in the Patchogue train station lot. The brewery is a quick 5 block walk west from the station.