March 2010 Archives

Seven upstate New York brews are included in a book heralding "1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die," according to food and drink folks at Syracuse's Post Standard.  And Albany's Times Union laments that no capital region brews are included.

So which beers must you try before you die? Here they are:

• Wailing Wench by Middle Ages Brewing Co.
• CascaZilla by Ithaca Beer Co.
• Black Forest by Saranac
• Abbey Ale by Ommegang
• Three Philosophers by Ommegang
• Imperial Pumking by Southern Tier Brewing Co.
• Krampus Imperial Helles Lager by Southern Tier Brewing Co.
  

Having had six out of the seven beers, I think I'll hold off tasting the last one for a while ;) 

From Rochester's Democract & Chronicle:

A year after being bought by KPS Capital Partners, the Genesee Brewing Co. is still standing near High Falls, adding employees and brands of both beer and malt beverages.

Read the Full Story here.

We've had quite a few posts on this topic throughout the year.  Check out related posts from the New York Brew Authority:

• New "Blue Light Lime" spurs 50 new jobs in Rochester
• Genny on the block
• Rochester's North American Breweries completes successful recapitalization
• "Make it a Genny Mr. President"
• High Falls update: CEO stepping down
• It's official: Rochester's High Falls Brewery sold
• Yes, some people still care about Genny
• High Falls Brewery for sale?

The Ithaca Journal reports that the Ithaca Beer Co. is proposing a new restaurant and beer garden, along with other development.  A possible monkey-wrench in their plans?  The proposed site may contain Native American artifacts.

Ithaca Beer Company's Dan Mitchell has proposed plans to expand his popular business on Route 13 with a new brewery, pub/restaurant, and beer garden -- but the site may contain Native American archaeological artifacts, Ithaca's Town Planning Board heard Tuesday night.

Read the full story.

The Observer-Dispatch out of Utica, NY reports that Saranac is still seeking bands to perform at its summer staple, Saranac Thursdays:

As they have for 12 years, the brewery is looking for bands to play Saranac Thursdays - one of the area's telltale signs that summer has begun. The Thursday party features Saranac beverages and raises money for the United Way. Demos from bands will be accepted until March 29, according to the brewery...

You can read the full article here and visit the official Saranac site here.

Is Biere de Mars, or "March Beer," the latest American  acquisition? The Appeal Democrat explores the origins and traditions of this craft beer style:

Little is known about origin of Biere de Mars, but experts believe it was made in mid-winter with ingredients from the fall harvest, including wheat. Because cask cellars would be colder, fermentation was slower. It would age for six, eight weeks before it was released to welcome the new season...

Read the full story at the appealdemocrat.com, featuring former Ommegang brewer Randy Thiel (now with New Glarus) and Southampton brewer Phil Markowski. 

A little hard to believe with snow still covering much of the landscape, but warmer weather is on the way, and along with it, hops!

Some "aspiring" hop farmers attended a hop tutorial in Geneva, NY this weekend, according to The Daily Mail:

Aspiring hops producers attended a tutorial at the Agroforesty Resource Center on Saturday, receiving instruction on the do's and don'ts of growing the crop. Rick Pederson, a successful producer from the Finger Lakes whose crop was used in 2004 to create the first beer brewed using only New York hops, spoke to more than 10 attendees via teleconference from the New York state Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva.

Check out the full article here.

I'll be interested to see how my own hop plants do in their second year.  Vines go higher!

From the Democrat and Chronicle in Rochester, NY:

Fifty jobs are being added at Genesee Brewing Co. in Rochester as the beermaker begins producing Blue Light Lime, the brewery's CEO said today.

Read the complete article at the D&C.

Not so sure about the beer, but having more jobs is always good.  "Blue Light Lime" appeals more to my love of alliteration than to my taste buds...