Long Island’s oldest and most award-winning craft brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, will host more than 30 brewers with 100+ casks at the 8th Annual Cask Ales Festival on Saturday, April 14, 2012. What started out years ago as a party with some fellow brewers in the parking lot has turned into one of the most popular cask ale events in the entire region.

“This event is so special to us because it gives craft beer fans the opportunity to sample beer in its most pure form and we’re able to raise a glass, or several, with fellow brewers from near and far,” said Mark Burford, Brewmaster at Blue Point Brewing Company.

Confirmed for the event’s largest ever turnout are Long Island favorites, Black Forest Brew Haus, Blind Bat Brewery, Great South Bay Brewery, Greenport Harbor Brewing, John Harvard’s Brew House, Long Ireland Beer Company, Southampton Publick House, and newbies Port Jefferson Brewing and Spider Bite Brewing Company. Also in the lineup are: Bronx Brewery (NY), Butternuts Beer & Ale (NY), Cape Ann Brewing (MA), Captain Lawrence Brewing Company (NY), Cigar City Brewing (FL), Cricket Hill Brewery (NJ), Defiant Brewing Company (NY), Empire Brewing Company (NY), Flying Dog Brewery (MD), Keegan Ales (NY), Lagunitas Brewing Company (NY), Peekskill Brewery (NY), Sixpoint Brewery (NY), Sly Fox Brewing Co. (PA), Smuttynose Brewing Company (NH), Southern Tier Brewing Company (NY), Squirrel Tail Brewing Co. (NY), and Stone Brewing Company (CA). The Brewers East End Revival (B.E.E.R.), Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts (LIMBE), and The Brewer’s Collective will be representing Long Island’s homebrew clubs.

This year Blue Point will be hosting the festival with more than 20 cask versions of their popular brews including: Ghost in the RastafaRye, toasted marshmallow Oatmeal Stout, Zythos dry hopped Hoptical Illusion primed with cotton candy and Syrah oak aged Sour Cherry Imperial Stout.

The Blue Point Cask Ales Festival takes place rain or shine from 2-6PM at the brewery in Patchogue, NY. Tickets are $47 ($15 for designated drivers) and can be purchased at www.BluePointBrewing.com or in the brewery tasting room at 161 River Avenue, Patchogue, prior to event day. Local favorites Bobbique and Lumpy’s Food Truck will be selling good eats throughout the day and there will be live music with House of Waters. Blue Point Brewery’s Facebook and Twitter followers can also enter online for a chance to win a ride to and from the event with S&G Limousine, Inc. This event will be supporting Long Island Cares – The Harry Chapin Food Bank with a can drop at the brewery on the day of the event and everyone is encouraged to bring any non-perishable food they can donate. Only those 21 and over with valid photo ID will be admitted to the event. No children or pets permitted.