Daily Freeman

By Paul Kirby | Published: March 25, 2024

KINGSTON, N.Y. – A Midtown brewery has captured the governor's cup or "best in show" during the eighth annual "New York State Craft Beer Competition."

During the awards ceremony on Friday, 96 awards were presented across 30 style categories.

In addition to gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in each category, judges selected the "NYS Governor's Craft Beer Cup" as the best-in-show beer, which was awarded to Kingston Standard Brewing Co. for its Love is Overtaking Me brew in the Barrel Aged (Sour) category.

Tait Simpson, head brewer of the Kingston Standard Brewing Company, said that the award was special given the widespread quality of craft brewers that entered the competition. The cup was presented to Simpson by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"We certainly weren't expecting anything like that, so it was quite a shock," Simpson said Monday in a telephone interview. "There is so much amazing beer being made in New York that the judges selected that beer it is just such an honor."

"As the new kids on the block, we feel really fortunate and honored to be recognized alongside such established and respected breweries," said Brian Berger, who is an investor in the brewery and a business advisor. "We were genuinely surprised to win, and we hope that we can continue to make a positive impact within the New York brewing industry landscape. It was a really special moment for us."

Simpson said that the brewery, which opened in 2019, has made Love is Overtaking Me in vintage batches. The one that captured the governor's cup during a ceremony at the Albany Capitol Center was the most recent batch.

"It is a pretty special process," Simpson said. "We have done iterations of that beer almost from the beginning."

Simpson said that Love Is Overtaking Me is available at the brewery at $18 for a half liter.

Located at 22 Jansen Ave., Kingston Standard Brewing is guided by German brewing methods that lead to clean, easy-drinking beers. It also uses barrel fermentation.

Its tap list changes regularly. Kingston Standard Brewing also sells pizza, salad, oysters and, in the summer, lobster rolls.

Certain products are available for pickup and shipping. Kingston Standard Brewing is open from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Thursdays to Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

The New York State Brewers Association sponsors the New York State Craft Beer Competition, presented by Ultimate Brew Service.

The awards ceremony was the closing event of the New York State Brewers Conference.