Patchogue’s Blue Point Brewing held a special event on June 5 to celebrate World Environment Day at its new tap room and restaurant, Blue Point Brewpub.
World Environment Day, first held in 1974, was established by the United Nations as its main vehicle for raising awareness and promoting action for the protection of the environment. Blue Point hosted local environmental groups to share information on the initiatives they are currently working on. Among the groups on hand were West Islip-based Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI), Sayville-based Save the Great South Bay, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services promoting activities at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley.
Blue Point has partnered with one local group, Islip-based Seatuck Environmental Association, on the Half Shells for Habitat oyster and habitat restoration project. Recycled shells from the raw bar at Blue Point Brewpub, along with shells from other participating restaurants, are returned to Long Island’s estuaries, where they help young oysters grow and combat coastal acidification.
As part of the move to its new brewery, Blue Point is also participating in the Trees for Tribs program run by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The program seeks to reforest small creeks and streams that feed larger rivers and lakes, to help prevent erosion and protect water quality. Blue Point recently planted beach plum, bayberry and red cedar seedlings on the south side of the brewery’s property near the Patchogue River.
To help raise awareness at the event and produce more oyster shells for recycling, Blue Point Brewpub offered a free pint of Good Reef Ale with every dozen oysters.
The outdoor beer garden area at the entrance to the brewpub is now open and the brewpub regularly features live music from local musicians.
Bernie Kilkelly is the editor and publisher of LIBeerGuide.com.
