I couldn’t help humming the song “The Whiskey Keeps Us Young” by Gameday Regulars while walking into TJ Finley’s Winter Bourbon Festival. Beer, bourbon, and BBQ enthusiasts packed into TJ Finley’s bar, biergarten, and main tent in Bay Shore for this event. Every participant received a collector glass and an event program with a QR code to navigate the whiskey guide for the festival (gotta love technology). Finley’s offered over 30 different craft beers and whiskeys to sample at the event. Attendees could also purchase cigars from Little Cigar Factory and homemade BBQ food.
Whiskey wasn’t the only thing warming souls that day. The event also helped raise funds for Gavin’s Got Heart, a local charity that educates people about congenital heart defect (CHD) and offers support to families with children affected by it.
Bourbon
Whether or not you are a bourbon enthusiast, the QR code provided good descriptions for the whiskeys offered at the festival. Jim Beam, one of the sponsors for the event, offered more than a few varieties of whiskey to sample. For the non- whiskey drinker I highly recommend Jim Beam Kentucky Fire (tastes like Fireball) and Jim Bean Honey that is slightly sweet and easy to drink. However, don’t let the Mila Kunis commercials for Jim Beam Devil Cut fool you; that whiskey is strong!
Long Island Winter Brews
Long Ireland Barrel Aged Winter Ale
This ruby red ale is like Christmas in a bottle. Savor its seasonally-spiced delight on those snowy nights.
Long Ireland Barrel Aged Black Friday Stout
This thick-bodied stout is aged in whiskey barrels and is 8.5% abv. This hardy flavored beer will keep you satisfied during winter months.
Great South Bay Bourbon Barrel Aged Marauder
This Scotch ale is limited and was only brewed once. Festival participants were lucky to have sampled it!
Great South Bay Rye Barrel Aged Snaggletooth Stout
This unique beer is made from roasted chocolate malt, cinnamon, licorice root, and local apples. This beer is available year around, once you take a sip you will be hooked!
Greenport Harbor Longest Night
This beer tastes like Mexican hot chocolate (chocolate and cinnamon) and orange peels. This oatmeal stout is only 6.7% abv that makes it an easy stout to drink.
BBQ
The BBQ at TJ Finley’s definitely held up to the bar they set last year: Exquisite! The pulled pork sandwich and pig roasted served on a potato rolls were tender, juicy, and topped with a delicious homemade sauce. The pulled chicken and brisket were also exceptional, pairing well with whiskey and beer.
The smoked turkey legs, aka caveman pops, enabled double fisting (turkey leg in one hand, drink in the other).
The TJ Finley’s staff members are passionate about their events, their food and exceptional service. Any festival held at Finley’s is worth attending. I can’t think of better way to spend a winter Saturday on Long Island. TJ Finley’s Winter Bourbon Festival provided good drinks, good food, and most of all – good times!