The Long Island Great Beer Expo returns to Belmont Park Racetrack, home of the third and final leg of the triple crown of horse racing, on November 7, 2015.  The 8th annual Great Beer Expo will once again offer over 100 beers for sampling with a pay-one-price admission ticket.  The racetrack at Belmont Park is located at 2150 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, NY 11003.  Tickets are on-sale now and selling quickly.  Like year’s past, another sell-out is expected.

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The biggest names in brewing are excited to be joining in on the festivities.  This year’s beer tasting extravaganza will showcase breweries from around the corner, around the country, and around the globe—more than 75 breweries in all.

Beer drinkers are flocking to craft brews in record numbers. According to figures from the Brewers Association, a trade group for small independent beer makers, sales of craft beers rose 16% in the first quarter of 2015 from a year ago.  “Long Island has really grown as a craft beer destination.  Our local beer scene has just exploded in the last few years,” said Andy Calimano, owner of event producer Starfish Junction.

Imported beers have found favor with consumers as well. Jeff Nowicki, chief strategy officer with Bump Williams Consulting (BWC), Stratford, Conn., says imports saw improvements in both volume and dollar sales in 2014, with volume up 6.5 percent and dollar sales increasing by 8.2 percent, based on data from Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI) in U.S. multi-outlets and convenience stores. “This is a great opportunity for beer enthusiasts to try the great beer being produced here as well as do some exploring with great beer from national craft and international producers,” added Calimano.

The event is sponsored in part by www.LIBeerEvents.com, Long Island’s local beer calendar.  This event is proud to support and help raise funds for Kids Need More (Motivational Recovery Environments, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  It is one of the only camps of its kind to serve child cancer patients and siblings.

The Great Beer Expo will have two sessions:  12:30-4:00pm and 5:30-9:00pm.  A limited number of tickets will be sold.  Once the event sells out, no additional tickets will be available for purchase.  Tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at the event website.  General Admission tickets include admission to the Expo, a souvenir tasting cup, the freedom to enjoy a 2 oz. sample of any of the beers present at the Expo, and free parking.  Food is available for purchase.  Designated driver tickets are also available for $12 each.  No one under 21, including designated drivers, will be admitted and photo ID is required for entry.  Belmont Park is located at 2150 Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont, NY  11003.