Less Pabst Blue Ribbon and Heineken Lager. More Ithaca Apricot Wheat Ale, Lake Placid Ubu Ale and ... Labatt Blue?

The New York State Fair changed the rules for its beer and alcoholic beverage vendors for 2025. In recent years, at least 80 percent of the beverages at each stand had to be made in the state of New York. This year, the requirement moved up to 90 percent.

That’s a relatively small change, but it means some vendors are serving more New York craft beers, hard ciders and seltzers.

At The Shamrock Tavern facing the Midway, for example, owner Steve Sommers this year added brands like Sloop Juice Bomb from the Hudson Valley and the Ubu Ale from Lake Placid.

“I have no problem selling New York beers, as long as customers are buying it,” Sommers said. “So we’ll see how it go

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