White Sox Up Their Beer Game Again With New Revolution Brewing Deal

In honor of American Craft Beer Week, New York State is hosting an inaugural Craft Beer Challenge.

This week, Cuomo's office announced the inaugural Taste NY Craft Beer Challenge, which will determine which brewery stands above the rest.

A number of local breweries are in the running for the top spot, including Diversion Brewing Company, in Chemung, and Grist Iron Brewing Company, in Hector. Voting ends on May 12.

"She added: "(New York) understands that this is definitely an industry that is poised to grow and is doing great things around the state".

So, yes, it's synergistic marketing-not usually the most exciting news-but it's a good development for our beloved Sox and even better financial news for perhaps the city's finest indie brewer, at a time when such outfits face increasing pressure to consolidate or sell outright (cough, Lagunitas, cough).

Almost 70 breweries have signed up to participate in the challenge.

There are more than 320 craft breweries in New York State, up from just 50 in 2011.

The challenge is an opportunity for breweries across the state to compete.

The craft beverage market continues to grow and I am always impressed when I see a local/regional brewery at a bar or restaurant when I am out of the area. This past weekend, its Whale Brown Ale was named New York's best craft beer at the TAP New York festival.

Revolution now distributes in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York City, and Wisconsin, according to the brewery's website.

Demler said CBW competitions like this one and the Empire Brewfest at the New York State Fair benefit breweries across the state.

"The vast majority of beer that's consumed within the state is not craft beer and the vast majority of craft beer consumed in the state is not produced in NY", he said.