Taste NY at Saratoga series to return for third season

by

The New York Racing Association, Inc. today announced that the popular Taste NY at Saratoga series will return for its third season during the 2016 meet at historic Saratoga Race Course. 

Participating vendors in the 2016 Taste NY series include local institutions such as Saratoga Crackers, Druthers Brewing Company and The Saratoga Winery to the popular downstate entity Brooklyn Brewery and Heron Hill Winery of the Finger Lakes Region. 

"We are proud to have been one of the first organizations to embrace the Taste NY program, beginning at Saratoga Race Course in 2014 and subsequently expanding the partnership to include Belmont Park," said New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay. "NYRA has played an important role in introducing all that is great about this signature program to others, especially the many out of state tourists that visit Saratoga for the world's finest horse racing meet, and we intend to do so again."

“Drawing more than one million visitors from all over the world each year, the meet at Saratoga is an incredible opportunity to highlight some of the very best of New York’s food and beverage producers,” said New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “During these exciting six weeks of racing, consumers have easier access to world-class products made right here in New York State, giving our local businesses the chance to reach new markets. Partnerships, like this one with NYRA, are part of the foundation of the Taste NY initiative and instrumental in helping local companies grow. We are excited to team up with NYRA again this year and eager to build on the success of 2015.”

The weekly series will take place on-track at the Saratoga Pavilion, presented by Time Warner Cable News. The Thursday and Friday editions occur from noon to 5 p.m. with the Sunday market commencing at 10:30 a.m. 

There is no admission charge for the Saratoga Pavilion. Wines, ciders and spirits will be available in increments of five samples for $5 on Thursdays while selections of craft beer will be available for the same on Fridays. There is no sampling fee for foods on Sundays. 

Guests will be able to purchase products that are available for sampling.

Participating vendors in the Thursday cider, wine and spirits tasting include: Albany Distilling Company in Albany; Awestruck Premium Hard Ciders in Sidney; Benmarl Winery in Marlboro; Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville; Harvest Spirits Farm Distillery in Valatie; Heron Hill Winery in Hammondsport; Kaneb Orchards in Massena; Nine Pin Cider Works in Albany; Saratoga Courage Distillery in Greenfield Center; The Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Springs; Slyboro Cider House in Granville; Thirsty Owl Outlet and Wine Garden in Saratoga Springs; and Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay.

Participating breweries in the Friday craft beer tasting include: Adirondack Brewery in Lake George; Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown; Brooklyn Brewery in Brooklyn; Browns Brewing Company in Troy; Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford; Druthers Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs; Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse; Good Nature Brewing in Hamilton; Ithaca Beer Company in Ithaca; Keegan Ales in Kingston; Lake Placid Brewery in Lake Placid; Olde Saratoga Brewing Company in Saratoga Springs; and Saranac Brewery in Utica. 

Participating vendors in the Sunday food and artisan market include: Black Sheep Honey Company in Berne; DogGone Stylish in Ballston Spa; Healthy Gourmet Kitchen in Glenville; IM2 Handmade Items in Queens; Mike’s Gourmet in Round Lake; Mountain Winds Farm in Berne; Muddy Trail Jerky Co. in Granville; Mugzy’s Barkery in East Greenbush; Pa’s Pistols Sweet Hickory and Wing Sauce in South Glens Falls; RAD Soap Co. in Menands; Saratoga Crackers in Middle Grove; Simply Kombucha in Hudson Falls; Sweet & Sassy Confections in Clifton Park; The Chocolate Spoon in Saratoga Springs; and Worldlings Pleasure in Watervliet. 

Not all vendors will be present each week.

Saratoga season admission passes are currently available for purchase online at NYRA.com/Saratogatickets and in-person at more than 200 Stewart’s Shops locations throughout the Capital Region, Adirondacks and Hudson Valley. For a complete list of retail locations, visit www.stewartsshops.com/news/saratoga-season-passes.

The 2016 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 22 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call (518) 584-6200 or visit www.nyra.com.