Entries in the New York State Fair’s annual Home Brew Competition have been pouring in, according to State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine, who reminded home brewers “last call” for delivering properly labeled bottles is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.

Last year 74 home brewers submitted 267 entries—numbers expected to be matched or exceeded this year.  They compete in 28 categories encompassing various types of beers, ales, meads and ciders.

This year, the recipe winning Best in Show will be brewed in F. X. Matt Brewing Company’s new test brewing lab in Utica. (The recipe may be modified slightly so it can be brewed effectively in a professional facility.)  The resulting beer will be entered in the Great American Beer Festival’s competition in Denver, Colorado.

“I’m pleased to see such strong interest in this competition,” Commissioner Aubertine said. “I’m excited to see who will win, because that person will carry the banner for all of New York’s homebrewers, processors and grain farmers to the national competition.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to spread the word about the unmatched quality of New York’s agriculture.”

The Great American Beer Festival’s competition is run in conjunction with the Salt City Brew Club.  The event is sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association.

The competition takes place on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1, 2013.  To enter, visit the Fair’s competitions website at nysfair.org/competitions.  Rules and an entry form are available there.  Entry forms can also be submitted online.

The Great New York State Fair holds competitions in more than four dozen categories, ranging from livestock and crops to cooking, and fine arts to classic cars.  Anyone can enter most of the Fair’s competitions without prior experience.

The New York State Fair runs from August 22 – September 2, 2013.  The Fair’s theme is “Sharing the Bounty and Pride of New York.” 

In addition to the annual New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website.  Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook or follow NYS Fair on Twitter. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas on the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.