NEW YORK – Billion Oyster Project announces their partnership with Brooklyn Brewery for a limited edition oyster beer. Debuting at the third annual Billion Oyster Party, Brooklyn Brewery’s Billion Oyster Saison, a briny saison brewed with whole oysters, was born out of a desire shared by all involved to promote the health of New York’s waterways.
The collaboration was a natural fit, according to Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster Garrett Oliver. “Billion Oyster Project is a great name and a great cause. As brewers, water quality is incredibly important to us because it makes up about 95% of the beer we produce. Needless to say we take the issue very seriously and are happy to support the cause in the best way we know—making a beer!”
Pete Malinowski, Director of the Billion Oyster Project added, “there are a lot of similarities between oyster cultivation and brewing beer. We’re excited about this partnership and hope it brings more awareness of the oyster’s amazing abilities to filter water, increase biodiversity, and protect our shorelines. Plus, I can’t imagine anything cooler than having a Billion Oyster beer.”
New Yorkers are invited to have a first taste of Brooklyn Brewery’s Billion Oyster Saison, brewed with whole oysters from Fishers Island, at the Billion Oyster Party. New Yorkers can join the effort of aquaculturists, practicing ecologists, restaurants and volunteers to restore New York Harbor by purchasing tickets for the May 19th Billion Oyster Party.
The fundraising event will feature all-you-can-eat oysters from more than 45 oyster farms, as well as bites from many of NYC’s top restaurants, and will take place at Pioneer Works in Red Hook, Brooklyn from 6 to 10pm. VIP ticket holders will be given access an hour early to taste the limited run beer, get a head start on trying the different oysters and restaurant dishes and meeting the farmers and chefs behind each. The evening’s special guests, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Founder of McLaren Engineering Group Mal McLaren, will also be honored during this time.
Restaurant participants now include Grand Central Oyster Bar, The Clam, Docks Oyster Bar, and Lighthouse, who are joining previously announced participants Oceana, Untitled, Bagatelle, Ed’s Chowder House, The Lobster Place, Cull & Pistol, Crave Fishbar, Gramercy Tavern, Eataly, Brooklyn Crab, Grand Army, The Mercer Kitchen, Saltaire, London Lennie’s, Bar Sardine,& Fedora.
Over 45 oyster farms have now committed to participate as well, including 401 Oysters, Behan Family Farm, Blue Island Oyster Farms, Briarpatch Enterprises Inc., Cape May Salt Oyster Farm, Capital Oyster, Chelsea Farms, Cobb Station Oyster Company Copps Island, Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, Duck Island Petite Oysters, East Beach Oyster Co, Empire Oyster, Fishers Island Oyster Farm, Forty North Oyster Farm, Hama Hama, Hollywood Oyster Company, HM Terry Co, Hog Island Oysters, Hooper’s Island Oyster Aquaculture, Island Creek Oysters, K&B Seafood, Ketcham Sea Farm, Little Creek Oyster, Louisiana Oyster Farm, Mac Seafood, Merry Oysters, Montauk Shellfish Company, Mook Sea Farm, Mystic Oysters, Rappahannock Oyster Co, Saddlebrook Oysters, Salt Water Farms (American Mussel), Tangier Island Oyster Co, Taylor Shellfish Farm, Thimble Island Oysters, Walrus and Carpenter Oysters, Watch Hill Oysters, Widow’s Hole Oyster Co., Windmill Point Oyster Co., Wellfleet Shellfish Company & W&T Seafood.
And, in addition to the all-night shucking contest between farmers, Empire Oyster will be hosting a shuck truck in Pioneer Works backyard, and R. Murphy Knives will host a shucking education station. Oyster blogger Julie Qiu of In A Half Shell will also host a “Shuck Me Beautiful” contest for participating growers.
Participating beverage sponsors include Boxed Water, Brooklyn Brewery Beer, Down East Cider, Lieb Cellars, NY Distilling Co, Noble Tree Coffee, Plymouth Gin, Proud Pour Wines and Spindrift Sodas.
About Brooklyn Brewery:
Founded in 1988, The Brooklyn Brewery is one of the foremost craft breweries in the world, currently ranking #12 in volume among United States craft breweries. While developing both delicious traditional styles and boundary-defying creations alike, Brooklyn Brewery produces award-winning beers that are available in 27 states and more than 30 countries.
About New York Harbor Foundation:
The mission of the New York Harbor Foundation is to create and support a network of environmentally literate students, schools and communities working together to restore New York Harbor.
About Billion Oyster Project:
The Billion Oyster Project, an initiative of the New York Harbor Foundation, is an ecosystem restoration and education project aimed at restoring one billion live oysters to New York Harbor while engaging hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in making New York a more resilient city.