New York Celebrates Craft Beer with Annual Holiday

The state-sanctioned New York Craft Beer Day returns on April 11, featuring a limited-edition collector's glass designed by a local artist.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a craft beer glass in vibrant neon hues, conceptually representing the festive and community-driven spirit of New York Craft Beer Day.The annual New York Craft Beer Day celebration encourages residents to support the state's thriving independent brewing industry by visiting local taprooms and taking home a limited-edition commemorative glass.Watertown Today

New York is celebrating its thriving craft beer industry with the second annual New York Craft Beer Day on April 11. The state-sanctioned holiday encourages residents to visit local breweries, try new beers, and purchase a limited-edition collector's glass designed by Kaylin Schafer, a talented artist who is deeply embedded in the Rochester craft beer community.

Why it matters

New York's craft brewing industry is a major economic driver, generating $4.8 billion in annual impact and supporting over 22,000 jobs across the state's 500+ independent breweries. New York Craft Beer Day is a way for the state to recognize and celebrate this important small business community, which has faced significant challenges in recent years due to rising costs and other industry pressures.

The details

The 2026 New York Craft Beer Day collector's glass was designed by Kaylin Schafer, an artist known online as "Sad Scribbles" for her unique style of drawing pets. Schafer has deep roots in the Rochester craft beer scene, having worked at local institutions like Skewed Brewing and Tap and Mallet before joining the team at Swiftwater Brewing, where she oversees their acclaimed social media presence. A dollar from every glass sold will go to the New York State Brewers Association to support advocacy, education, and promotion for the state's independent breweries.

  • New York Craft Beer Day is celebrated annually on April 11.
  • The 2026 edition of the event will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Kaylin Schafer

An artist known online as "Sad Scribbles" who has deep roots in the Rochester craft beer community, having worked at local breweries like Skewed Brewing and Tap and Mallet before joining the team at Swiftwater Brewing.

New York State Brewers Association

The trade organization representing the state's over 500 independent breweries, which will receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the New York Craft Beer Day collector's glass.

Governor Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who officially proclaimed New York Craft Beer Day in 2025, establishing the annual state-sanctioned holiday.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There is no anti-craft-beer caucus. There is no organized opposition to locally made things being enjoyed by local people in local establishments. And so when state government shows up and says, yes, we see this, we value it, here is a day — it is both genuinely heartening and, frankly, extremely smart politics.”

— Will Cleveland, Author

“Kaylin gets it right, consistently, and Swiftwater is a better and more visible place because of it.”

— Will Cleveland, Author

What’s next

Craft beer enthusiasts can find participating breweries and locations to purchase the limited-edition New York Craft Beer Day collector's glass at thinkNYdrinkNY.com/new-york-craft-beer-day.

The takeaway

New York's craft brewing industry is a thriving small business community that deserves support. New York Craft Beer Day provides an easy and fun way for residents to celebrate the state's independent breweries, try new beers, and take home a commemorative glass designed by a local artist deeply embedded in the craft beer scene.