After Three-Month Delay due to COVID-19, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail Launches its 2020 Passport Program
CAPITAL REGION – After a three-month delay due to the COVID-19 crisis and the numerous challenges it has presented for the local craft beverage sector, the Capital Craft Beverage Trail (CCBT) is set to release its 2020 Passport Program.
This year’s Passport features 52 craft beverage producers from across the eight-county region of the Capital District. Trail stops include wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, meaderies, and one kombucha maker, highlighting both local talent and New York State produce.
The 2019 Passport program ended in late March, just as the COVID-19 crisis was closing tasting rooms and taprooms across the state. After a three-month delay and enforced social distancing, this year’s Passport release represents not only the best the Capital Region has to offer in craft beverages, it also signals the return of gathering, community, and economic growth.
“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. 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,” said Daniel Kravitz, President of the Capital Craft Beverage Trail and General Manager of Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga.
“I’m excited that the Capital Craft Beverage Trail (CCBT) is kicking off the 2020 Passport Program now that the Capital Region is working through the phased reopening,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “This program has increased patronage to dozens of small businesses including five in the city of Albany in past years, and we look forward to the CCBT Passport Program having the same impact this year. In a time when we are all eager to return to safely gathering and helping the economy, I commend the organizers of the Passport Program for bringing back a safe and fun experience that even includes the chance to win prizes.”
“Local breweries and distilleries are becoming more essential to both our local economy and our cultural footprint every year,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly. “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 5 oz. Taster
- Level 4: CCBT Waiters Corkscrew
- Level 5: Free Ticket to a 2021 Drink Event
Producers in the 2020 Passport program are:
Albany County
Altamont Vineyard and Winery
Albany Distilling Company
C.H. Evans Brewing Company
Druthers Brewing Company
Fort Orange Brewing
Helderberg Mountain Brewing Company
Hillstown Brewing
Meadowdale Farm Winery
Nine Pin Cider Works
Oligan Distilling
Real McCoy Beer Co.
Royal Meadery
Table 41
Columbia County
Chatham Brewing
Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde Yorke Farm
The Greenhouse Cidery
Harvest Spirits
Hudson Brewing Company
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Little Apple Cidery
Greene County
Crossroads Brewing Company
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company
Subversive Malting + Brewing
Rensselaer County
The Beer Diviner
Brown’s Brewing
Emporium Farm Brewery
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Rare Form Brewing Co.
Shmaltz Brewing Company
S&S Farm Brewing
Stable Gate Winery
Yesfolk Tonics
Saratoga County
Artisanal Brew Works
Common Roots Brewing Company
Druthers Brewing Company
Galway Rock & Saratoga Sparkling Co.
Ledge Rock Hill Winery
Racing City Brewing/Oliva Winery
R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing
Unified Beerworks
Whitman Brewing
Yankee Distillers
Schenectady County
Back Barn Brewing Company
Druthers Brewing Company
Frog Alley Brewing
Great Flats Brewing
Helderberg Meadworks
Mad Jack Brewing Company
The Schenectady Distilling Company
Wolf Hollow Brewing Company
Warren County
Adirondack Winery
Northway Brewing Company
Washington County
Northern Cross Vineyard
Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery
R.S. Taylor & Sons Brewing
Victory View Vineyard
The 12866 