1010 WINS-AM in New York City is reporting that Utica Club and Saranac were flying off the shelves over the weekend as people were stocking up following the fire at F.X. Matt Brewery in Utica, who cans for both brands.
The owner of Marcy Beverage in the Mohawk Valley town of Marcy says that after the Thursday night fire, it sold 550 cases of the brewery’s products, which include Saranac and Utica Club beers. One customer ordered 22 cases of Utica Club on Friday. Canning makes up about 20% of business at the brewery but vice president Fred Matt says plans are under way to outsource canning while Matt’s rebuilds.
I can only imagine the hell I’d get if I walked in the front door with 22 cases of beer, so I’ll secretly raise a pint to that gentleman.
Thursday night, F.X. Matt brewery in Utica, New York, maker of Saranac beer and ale, was engulfed in flames as four fire companies battled a fire and residents were evacuated from a six-block area surrounding the brewery.
Early reports are that the fire originated on the second floor of the bottling shop and quickly spread to the upper floors. Employees have said that a welding project may be to blame.
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It’s Memorial Weekend, which means it’s time for barbeques, pool parties, fireworks, and the return of Saranac’s 12 Beers of Summer!
This year’s package features:
- Saranac Pomegranate Wheat - An American pale wheat ale with 4.70% ABV
- Saranac Belgian White - A tasty witbier that checks in at 5.30% ABV
- Saranac Hefeweizen - A decent hefeweizen with 5.60% ABV
- Saranac Golden Pilsener - A seasonal German pilsener with 5.10% ABV
- Saranac Summer Ale - A seasonal herb and spice ale with subtle hints of lemon and 4.7% ABV.
- Saranac Kolsch - A blond ale that is brewed to be lighter than the “house” beer that was served in Cologne 200 years ago. Checks in at 5% ABV.
The “Twelve Beers of Summer” should be available in your liquor store of choice from now through July.
I love WashingtonPost.com. Outside of what I pay the IRS and my general disdain for politics, I have no connection to our nation’s capital in any way, shape or form. Yet, I still find myself checking out WashingtonPost.com on a regular basis because it’s not the stodgy newspaper site you’d expect. Case in point: Beer Madness!
It almost sounds like it should be a grindhouse flick of some sort, but it’s their 2nd annual “showdown of suds” pitting 32 beers in head-to-head matchups. What I love about this feature, aside from the slick animation and fun interface, is that it includes brews from across the country ranging from nationals (Miller Chill, Schlitz and Michelob) to some great regional offerings (Penn Pilsner, Wild Goose IPA and Abita Turbodog) to everything inbetween. Last year’s champ, Brooklyn Lager, is back to defend its title as is runner-up Saranac Pale Ale.
Let the games begin!
