LI brewers sell to the public

The tasting room at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. is on the second floor of a building that once housed a 19th century firehouse. It's situated next to the old town jail.

"Stairway to heaven" is the motto on a sign attached to the steps leading there.

For anyone looking for a fresh brew, it's the right direction.

Long Island home brewers have made beers and ales for years. But some have become mini-microbrewers and now sell to the public. And at least two, Greenport Brewing and Barrier Brewing in Oceanside, encourage visitors to come in for a taste.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company

INFO: 234 Carpenter St., Greenport, 631-477-6681, harborbrewing.com

WHEN: Tasting room offers brews on tap 3-6 p.m. Friday, and noon-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

WHAT TO DRINK: Smooth Harbor Ale, an American pale ale; Ahtamatic IPA, a hoppy, balanced brew; Triton, a high-octane barley wine number; and the malty, chocolaty Black Duck Porter, with a hint of espresso. Available by the growler, with souvenir glasses, for $27. Also available at restaurants. At T.J. Finley's in Bay Shore (tjfinleys.com), they're $6 per pint.

Barrier Brewing Company

INFO: 3595 Lawson Blvd., Oceanside, 516-316-4429, barrierbrewing.com

WHEN: You can visit the brewery noon-4 p.m. Saturdays. Brews are available by the glass and growler. Call ahead for what's available. Selections are also served at Press 195 restaurant (press195.com) in Rockville Centre for $7 a pint.

WHAT TO DRINK: Year-round, Barrier produces Ruthless Rye IPA, Greenroom Pale Ale and Lights Out Stout. Seasonals include Cairn Scottish Ale, Rembrandt Porter and Morticia Russian Imperial Stout.

Great South Bay Brewery

INFO: greatsouthbaybrewery.com

WHERE: Summer opening expected for brewery. Among restaurants serving the brews: T.J. Finley's in Bay Shore (tjfinleys.com), for $6 per pint; and H.R. Singleton's (hrsingletonsrestaurant.com) in Bethpage, $5.50.

WHAT TO DRINK: Snaggletooth Stout, with chocolate notes; aptly named, hoppy Massive IPA; and Robert Moses Pale Ale, "with a flavor as big as the Robert Moses tower" at the power broker's namesake state park.

Fire Island Beer Co.

INFO: fireislandbeer.com

WHERE TO FIND IT: Fire Island beers and ales are made at the Olde Saratoga Brewery in Saratoga Springs to the brewers' specifications. Available at beverage stores and online at halftimebeverage.com, sold by bottle and six-pack ($9-$12).

WHAT TO DRINK: Fire Island Lighthouse Ale, crisp and light, golden to amber, with a suggestion of caramel; Fire Island Red Wagon IPA, citrusy, floral and spicy, balanced amber India Pale Ale; seasonal Fire Island Pumpkin Barrel Ale.

Long Ireland Beer Company

INFO: longirelandbrewing.com

WHERE TO FIND IT: Long Ireland is building a facility on Pulaski Street in Riverhead that's expected to open in summer. Brewers plan to bottle their beer in six months to a year. Restaurants with the beers on tap include Bullfish in Sayville (bullfishli.com), where it's $6 for a pint; same at Tweeds in Riverhead (tweedsrestaurant.com).

WHAT TO DRINK: The easygoing, traditionally styled Celtic Ale, which has honey and oats in it; refreshing, unfiltered Raspberry Wheat, a summer brew; the American-style Pale Ale; and sweet Breakfast Stout, a lower-alcohol brew finished with coffee.

Blind Bat Brewery

INFO: blindbatbrewery.com

WHERE TO FIND IT: Available at beverage stores, bars, restaurants, including West End Cafe in Carle Place (westendli.com), where it's $8 for a pint.

WHAT TO DRINK: Hellgate Porter, brewed with smoked barley; Hell Gate Golden Ale, a Belgian-style ale. And seasonals that include Long Island Potato Stout, made with organic spuds; Vlad the Inhaler, wheat-smoked; and Beached Blonde, a summer ale.

Craft Beer Week: These suds are for your

The first Long Island Craft Beer Week is on tap for May 13-22.

Local breweries join bars, restaurants, retailers and suds fans to celebrate beer-making and more with programs that will include a gala honoring Long Island's brewing pioneers, a breakfast with brewers and a festival at T.J. Finley's in Bay Shore featuring 10 casks of regional beers.

Left Coast Kitchen & Cocktails in Merrick also will host an East Coast-vs.-West Coast India Pale Ale challenge. And there will be a fundraiser for Little Shelter Animal Rescue, highlighting a home brew inspired by peanut butter and jelly.

For additional information: longislandcraftbeerweek.com