The New-York Historical Society is putting on an exhibition this month (opens May 25) about the history of beer-making in New York. But what’s the fun of learning about beer if you don’t get a chance to drink it?

Well, this just in:

To celebrate its summer exhibition Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History, the New-York Historical Society will host a series of beer tastings that showcase the thriving brewing culture in New York City and State. Beer Here will examine the social, economic, political, and technological history of the production and consumption of beer, ale, and porter in the city from the seventeenth century to the present day. The beer tasting program, run by Starr Restaurants catering group, will take place in the exhibition’s beer hall on most Saturday afternoons from May 26 through August 25, 2012.

The half-hour beer tastings, which will occur at 2 pm and 4 pm, will offer visitors the chance to hear directly from brewers and brewery founders about the history and process of making beer. In addition to tasting local artisanal creations, visitors also will experience first-hand the hops, whole leaf flowers and other ingredients used to make beer. Tickets for the tastings are $35 (Members $20) and may be purchased online. A six pack special discount (purchase by telephone or in person only) is offered to visitors who purchase tickets to six separate tastings for only $150 (Members $100). A complete tasting event schedule follows below.

In addition to the beer tastings, New-York Historical also will host Beer Appreciation Night on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 pm, featuring Beer Here curators Debra Schmidt Bach and Nina Nazionale; Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery; Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery; and Gabrielle Langholtz, editor of Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan. A special tasting of Brooklyn Brewery beers will follow the program. Combined tickets for the program and beer tasting are $49 (Members $37), and program-only tickets are $24 (Members $12).

Beer Tastings Schedule & Participating Breweries

· May 26- Matt Brewing Company

· June 2 –Kelso Beer Co.

· June 9 – Keegan Ales

· June 16 – Bronx Brewery

· June 23 – Harlem Brewing Company

· June 30 – Blue Point Brewing Company

· July 7 – Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

· July 14 – Genesee Brewing Company

· July 21 – Heartland Brewery

· July 28 – Ithaca Beer Company

· August 4 – Matt Brewing Company

· August 11 – Bronx Brewery

· August 18 – Keegan Ales

· August 25 – Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.

Image of bar tray, 1900–1930. The New-York Historical Society, Gift of Bella C. Landauer.