May 2010 Archives

Sorry.  I couldn't resist the bad pun in the headline. I'll try to rein it in from now on.

Apparently a battle amongst shareholders of Buffalo's Flying Bison Brewing Co. is holding up a deal with the Matt Brewing Co. (makers of Saranac).

From The Buffalo News:

A month after halting beer production in mid-January due to financial troubles, it looked like Flying Bison Brewing Co. had found a solution to keep its suds flowing. The majority of its shareholders had voted to approve the transfer of Flying Bison's assets to Saranac beer maker Matt Brewing Co., which vowed to ramp up production, invest in the facility, and keep the brewery in Buffalo open. Flying Bison announced its retail store would be back up and running, stocked with Flying Bison beer by April 10. That date came and went as a handful of dissenting shareholders fought the Matt sale...

Full story here.

The full article has a lot of detail.  And 35 comments and counting.

There are two good ways to celebrate Middle Ages' 15th anniversary.

The first is to drink beer.

At TAP-NY I had the opportunity to try Middle Ages' 15th anniversary brew, "Double Wench," the amped-up version of the fan-favorite "Wailing Wench."  Clocking in at 12% abv, the brewery describes the American Strong Ale as "robustly full flavored, deep mahogany hue, hoppy, complex and intensly warming."

Double Wench is available on tap at the brewery and in 22oz bottles.

The second way is to attend the annual celebration, being held Sunday, August 1st.  The event features live music and is located right by the brewery in Syracuse (120 Wilkinson Street).  The Limp Lizard Lounge and The Mission (great Mexican-style food, I must say) will be providing eats.  Also available, of course, will be your favorite beer from Middle Ages.

Information on performers is still forthcoming.

Southern Tier recently finished an expansion, and they have a couple new beers in distribution, including the 2xIPA, a double india pale ale. You can read more about this and some of Southern Tier's other recent developments over at Beernews.org.

The 2xIPA is on shelves now, and if you're like me, you know Southern Tier doesn't mess around when it comes to IPAs (Check out our Unearthly podcast)  The Foaming Head blog gave 2xIPA a favorable review which has further peaked my interest. 

I like the new packaging theme for the ST beers, and I'm excited to give 2xIPA a try myself.

Mark your summer calendar.  Syracuse's Empire Brewfest will be held July 16th this summer in Clinton Square.  Information on ticket pricing and performing musicians is still forthcoming.

Check  http://www.empirebrewfest.com for more information. 

I've jumped on the Disqus bandwagon and switched my commenting system.  This means you should be able to post comments using Twitter and other accounts.  "Guest" commenting is still allowed, but will require approval.

I've been making a lot of small tweaks to the site over the last week, so bear with me as I work out the kinks.

In the meantime, you should try leaving a comment! 

Thanks,

Blake

Well, Belgium Comes to Cooperstown took about five minutes to sell out, but you could still spend Memorial Day weekend with Brewery Ommegang.

Ommegang's Memorial Day Festival begins Saturday, May 29th, and features three bands (with more to be announced).  The music begins at 4 p.m., and, according to Ommegang, will last into the "wee hours of the night." 

Of course, there will be plenty of Ommegang to purchase and drink, and BBQ, too.  Tickets are $32 with camping included, or $17 just for the concert.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: http://www.ommegang.com/?mcat=3&scat=0

Soul Asylum

What's better than a beer-themed, outdoor summer concert?  If you said "nothing," you'll be glad to know that the Genesee Brewery is bringing back "Rock the Cans."

From their press release:

The Genesee Brewery announced today that it's bringing back a bigger, better summer concert called "Rock the Cans" - inspired by the three iconic 35,862,784 ounce wrapped tanks representing the brewery's flagship beers....

...In keeping with the "Rock the Cans" theme, the brewery is encouraging concert-goers to donate canned goods that will benefit Foodlink, the regional food bank designated to receive all net proceeds from the show.

Full release here.

What you need to know:

• The bands: Co-headliners Soul Asylum and Gin Blossoms
• When:  Saturday, June 26, starting at 3:30 p.m.
• Where: Genesee Brewery, Rochester
• Tickets:  $12, available at the customer service desk at all Wegmans

The Fire Island Beer Company wants you to win a trip to Fire Island, NY - three days, two nights, accomodations, ferry tickets and dinner for two included.

All you have to do is enter their sweepstakes for a chance to win: http://www.fireislandbeer.com/sweepstakes/index.htm

The sweepstakes is from May 1st through June 31st with the drawing being held on August 2nd.

Good luck!

It's almost that time of year, when the courtyard of the FX Matt Brewery swells and thousands of Saranac-lovers gather for the weekly summer event know as Saranac Thursdays.

Saranac Thursdays kick off May 27th.  Here's the dates and scheduled bands:

• May 27th- Dashboard Nixon
• June 3rd- Showtime
• June 10th- Earl Pickens
• June 17th- Last Call
• June 24th- Gridley Paige
• July 1st- One Hard Krank
• July 8th- Custom Taylor Band
• July 15th- Crazy Fools
• July 22nd- Enter the Haggis
• July 29th- Fulton Chain Gang
• Aug. 5th- The Bourbon Mothers
• Aug. 12th- Jimkata
• Aug. 19th- Capital Zen
• Aug. 26th- Three Inch Fury
• Sept. 2nd- Pre moe.down Throwdown

Saranac Thursdays benefit the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area.