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Taste NY celebrates 10th anniversary with tantalizing selection of New York craft beverages and foods at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

Fans at Saratoga Race Course have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of New York craft beers, hard cider, wines, spirits and food offerings at the Taste NY Pavilion every Thursday through Sunday during the 2023 meet.

This year marks a decade since the launch of the Taste NY program, which has delivered more than $100 million in economic impact during that time, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Saratoga Race Course was one of Taste NY’s first supporting venues.                                                                                                            

Located inside Gate A, at the Top of the Stretch, the Taste NY Pavilion features samples and sales of craft beverages and spirits from Long Island to the Adirondacks and the Capital Region to Western New York, as a showcase of the state’s robust food and beverage industry. The Taste NY Pavilion is open from noon until 5 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fans 21 years of age or older will be served.

“Taste NY is proud to once again partner with the Saratoga Race Course in bringing the very best of New York’s craft beverage industry to the more than one million racing fans who visit the track every year,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. “In celebration of Taste NY’s 10thanniversary this year, we’re excited to bring visitors an expanded showcase of New York beverage producers with even more beer, wine, spirits, and ciders being offered in the Taste NY Pavilion and throughout the track. New York craft beverage makers are continuing to produce unique products that support the local economy and New York agriculture and I encourage everyone to stop by the Taste NY area and taste what New York has to offer.”

In a veritable tour of products produced across the Empire State, the Taste NY Pavilion features offerings from Druthers Brewing Co., Frog Alley Brewing Co., Indian Ladder Farms Hard Cider, Nine Pin Hard Cider and Pick Six Vodka (Capital District); Brewery Ommegang, Saranac Brewery and Cooperstown Distillery (Mohawk Valley); Bolton Landing Brewing Co., Common Roots Brewing Co., Northway Brewing Co., and Paradox Brewery (North Country and Adirondacks); Cooper’s Daughter Spirits from Olde York Farm Distillery (Hudson Valley); Brooklyn Brewery and Great Jones Distilling Co. (New York City); Montauk Brewing Co. (Long Island); and Hercules Mulligan Spirits and Mazza Wines (Western New York).

“This summer, we are thrilled to present Hercules Mulligan to the people of New York and beyond at the Saratoga Race Course,” said Steve Luttmann, founder and chief executive officer of H. Mulligan Bespoke Libations Co. in Westfield, New York. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes to NYRA for graciously hosting the Taste New York program, which provides an invaluable platform for up-and-coming New York-based brands like ours to reach, and be experienced by, a vast and diverse audience.”

Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye features a blend of three American rye whiskeys and three Caribbean rums, fresh ginger and tailor-made bitters. It’s named after a little-known tailor, spy and hero of the American Revolution.

Northway Brewery, a small craft brewery based in Queensbury, creates a variety of ales, lagers and IPAs including the Sunrise Session IPA and Miracle on Ice™ golden ale which will be featured in conjunction with the Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga, August 18-20.

“It has been a privilege for us to participate in the Taste NY Pavilion at the historic Saratoga Race Course,” said Northway Brewery’s Director of Sales and Operations Max Oswald. “We are grateful to NYRA for hosting the program and to Taste New York for giving small New York producers the opportunity to again this year sample and market our products, including a selection of craft offerings, to a large and diverse audience at the track’s 2023 summer meet.”

Nine Pin Cider Works, New York’s first farm cidery, was founded in 2013 and makes its return to Saratoga for a second straight year.

“Nine Pin is thrilled to be among the New York craft ciders, beers, wines, and spirits served at the Saratoga Race Course for a second year,” said Nine Pin Co-Founder and Head Cidermaker Alejandro del Peral. “We look forward to highlighting the quality of New York agriculture to track attendees through our refreshing ciders made in Albany from 100 percent New York apples.”

Woman-owned and family-operated Cooper’s Daughter Spirits in Claverack features small batches of seasonal bourbons, vodkas, liqueurs and whiskeys with locally sourced ingredients. Part of the historic Jacob Rutsen van Rensselaer & Mill complex, today’s distillery and cooperage are currently housed in van Rensselaer’s former carriage house and are owned by father-and-daughter team Sophie and Stuart Newsome. Cooper’s Daughter Spirits was founded in 2015 by Sophie and her father Stuart, a cooper who hand-builds white oak barrels for the distillery.

“Cooper's Daughter Spirits is thrilled to be featured this year at the Taste NY Pavilion at the Saratoga Race Course,” said manager Laura Duryea. “Being a small producer, we are grateful to have the opportunity to meet and showcase our products to the large and diverse crowds who will be visiting Saratoga this season. We can't think of a better showcase for our products, and extend our thanks and gratitude to NYRA for giving us this opportunity! Cheers!"

In addition to beverages, the Taste NY Pavilion also features a variety of New York-made foods. A select offering of cheeses, Gelatos and cookies are available for sampling and sale from Argyle Cheese Farmer of Hudson Falls. Saratoga Chocolate Co. in Saratoga Springs offers chocolates for purchase and sampling and can be found at the Pavilion every Thursday through Sunday of the meet.

Highlighted by the 154th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26, the summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Labor Day, Monday, September 4. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from the final week, when the meet will conclude on Labor Day.