Beer 101: Class is in Session June 9th at Black Dirt Malt

PINE ISLAND — The Black Dirt Region: it’s not just for onions anymore.
Within the past few years, numerous breweries sprouted up in the famously fertile farmland, and right in the center of them all is Black Dirt Malt, the area’s barley-producing hub.
The grain hasn’t been a regular crop in New York since before Prohibition, but ninth generation farmer and Black Dirt Malt founder Chip Lain brought it back.
He grows 100 acres of barley to service the ever-booming local craft beer scene, and this Saturday, is offering an insider look at his malting operation during Dirt’s Brew Hop.
The one-day tour will be transporting attendees to five local breweries via school bus, where they’ll receive a flight of beer at each watering hole.
The bonus stop at Black Dirt Malt offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the barley in the beer attendees are drinking throughout the day is farmed, harvested and turned into malt.
The Dirt mag team will be at Black Dirt Malt as well, serving up slices of watermelon and local hot dogs from Lowland Farm for free, courtesy of event sponsor Suburban Propane.
Few tickets remain. Don’t miss out: dirtbrewhop.com