Beers and Ciders & Wines! Oh My! Another year at Belmont Racetrack is down finishing the 2016 Great Beer Expo. With a wide range of great beers, ciders (and yes now wine). With over 100 beers for sampling, there was plenty to go around as the biggest names in brewing join in on the festivities, this year’s beer tasting extravaganza showcased breweries from around the corner, around the country, and around the globe.

Beers & Ciders

Anderson Valley Brewing Company-Pinchy Jeek Barl – This Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel Aged Pumpkin Ale combined the flavors of jerky and bourbon barrel pumpkin beer for delicious full-bodied fall beer. Definitely pick these up; they are perfect for drinking while watching Thanksgiving Day football.

Riverhead Ciderhouse – Attention Long Islanders, Riverhead is getting a cider house! They were pouring Razzmatazz, Benjamin’s Best and Founder Reserve Cider at the Great Beer Expo. All the ciders were crisp, fruity and well balanced. Make sure you sign up for their mailing list to find when they will be officially opening.

New Belgium – If you love sour beers, definitely try New Belgium Lips of Faith 2016 Le Terroir Wood Aged & Dry Hopped Sour Ale. This 7.5% abv sour beer was barrel-aged for two years and then dry-hopped with Amarillo and Cascade hops for 8 days. Definitely look for these at your local beer distributor.

Homebrew & Handgrenades – Homebrew & Handgrenades poured some great fruity and fall flavored beers and ciders including Son of a Peach India Peach Ale, Cheap Ass Crapple Cranberry Cider, Caramel Apple and #IPecanteven Maple Pecan Cider. These homebrewers are always a crowd favorite.

Clothes & Accessories

Rugged Soul – Are you looking for a new lifestyle brand designed for the bearded, tattooed, free spirited, outdoorsman? Check out Rugged Soul, they have hats, hoodies, and shirts you will love. My favorite logo t-shirt says “Day Drinking, Tacos, Naps.”

Strung – Looking for an awesome piece of jewelry for the music lover in your life? Check out Strung, a Long Island, American made, rock-inspired jewelry company. They have a variety of bracelets made of guitar strings with a variety of charms, beaded bracelets and necklaces. getstrung.com

Snacks & Sauces

Benito’s Hot Sauces – Benito’s Organic Hot Sauces from VT are definitely a must-try. They have a variety of hot sauces and spicy maple syrups including Fresh Mango Habenero, Onion Garlic Ginger, Louisiana Style Ghost Pepper and Chipotle Infused Maple Syrup. These would make great stocking stuffers for anyone in your life who likes a little bit or lots of heat.

Brewscuits – The holidays are coming up and man’s best friend could use some gifts too. Check out Brewscuit, the handcrafted dog biscuits that make use all natural whole grains leftover from brewing beer to create a one-of-a-kind treats that your dog will love. They come in peanut butter, pumpkin and sweet potatoes. Brewscuits also donates a part of their proceeds to select animal group each month. brewscuit.com