The NY Brew Authority

A vist to Druthers, Empire Brewing, and Syracuse Suds Factory

2012-12-02T20:41:29Z

Druthers' sampler.

Two days, two cities, three brewpubs.

On a recent weekend in November, I had a chance to drink and dine in good company at three New York State brewpubs: Druthers, Empire Brewing Co. and Syracuse Suds Factory.

]]> Druthers

Located in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, Druthers' inconspicious front is easily missed. After entering through a small, arched gate, we were greeted by a spacious patio area, ideal for lounging in warmer weather and enjoying live entertainment. Despite the early winter chill in the air, several people sat and drank near patio heaters, braving the cold.

Luckily, we were well-advised to have reservations for our party- the brewpub was packed on a Saturday night. The bar sits in the front of the establishment. Above, loom the expected trappings of brewing, large conical fermenters and the like. Under the loft space, in a room behind the bar, is the main dining area.

The service was great, and the food and beer was good. We opted for samplers that arrived in carousels holding six snifters of beer each. The brews were pretty standard offerings, and I mean that mostly in a positive way. Every brewpub must make and deliver these core beers, or so it seems. Solid beer, solid meal. I wish a had a chance to try their Apple Ale, but it wasn't in the sampler, and I was comfortably full after dinner. An excuse to visit again.

Druthers opened in the late summer, and is a welcome addition to the Saratoga Springs beer scene.

Empire Brewing Co.

Empire Brewing Co. has earned an excellent name for itself, and certainly needs no approval from another craft beer website. We visited the Syracuse brewpub the day after Druthers. It wasn't our first visit, nor will it be our last. The quality of the beer, food and atmosphere continues to be outstanding.

Empire is in the Armory Square district of Syracuse, convenient to an established drinking scene and entertainment venues such as the Landmark Theater. The brewpub has a great atmosphere with warm lighting and lots of brick. Located below street level, you could sample a lot of delicious beer without noticing the passing of time.

We had a few pints with our meal, including the Strong Ale, Pumpkin Ale, and another beer that featured lavender. Empire consistently delivers delicious, creative beer. Check out the sign made from bottle caps and beer cans, notably Genny Cream Ale, near the restrooms.

Syracuse Suds Factory

Following our visit to Empire, we headed next door to Syracuse Suds Factory. I asked if they had an IPA, and they suggested their pale ale. I took a picture of the napkin, because I liked the logo. The logo was my favorite part of Syracuse Suds Factory.

Aforementioned napkin.

Hurricane Shandy: A tale of two travelers

2012-10-29T23:47:25Z

Curious.

With darkness setting in, and the wind howling from the oncoming hurricane, I decided to try two samples from The House of Shandy Beer Co.

Thus, Hurricane Shandy.

(Insert chuckle here. Or not.)

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From above.

Curious Traveler Shandy is a wheat beer brewed with lemon and lime. Tenacious Traveler is also a wheat beer, but brewed with ginger and clover honey. They are similarly refreshing, balanced and nuanced without the spicing being too overt. I enjoyed the Tenacious Traveler a little more.

I have had a shandy or two on a warm summer's day. I can say without the slightest reddening of the cheeks that these were as good or better than any shandy I have the pleasure of tasting.

If you enjoy shandy, you would do well to try them. While I am a sucker and a fool for nicely packaged beverages and clever marketing ploys, the whimsical traveler theme, false mustaches and thoughtfully designed informational s go hand in hand with an equally engaging product.

Everyone have a safe and dry (rain-wise) evening.

More on The House of Shandy here:

http://www.houseofshandy.com

Congrats 2012 GABF winners

2012-10-17T22:34:48Z

And... we're back. Not from The Great American Beer Festival, but rather that incomprehensible void that eats all Twitter and website updates for say, a month-ish.

So how did the state of New York fare at GABF?

The winners:
]]> Gold Medal:

Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.'s "Barrel Select - Gold" in the American-Style Sour Ale category.

Silver Medal:

Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.'s "Barrel Select - FO/BB" in the Belgian-Style Lambic or Sour Ale category.

Great Adirondack Brewing Co's "Whiteface Black Diamond Stout" in the Foreign-Style Stout category.

Bronze Medal:

Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.'s "Golden Delicious" in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer category.

You can search for medal winners here:

http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/winners/

Crimes against beer! Sixpoint goes to Texas! Hop revivals! Links!!

2012-08-26T20:55:47Z

So many quality stories to link to! And the headline is just the beginning.

Read on for an ever-so-solid array of late August New York craft beer links, from a new limited edition offering from the Bronx Brewery to growing hops in upstate, to well, just a lot of stuff!
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Garrett Oliver on crimes against beer
Beer guru Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery opens up about the troubling treatment of beer in America, from uninformed waiters to jelly jars...
Story here: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/garrett-oliver-crimes-against-beer

Bronx Brewery launches limited edition beer
The Bronx Brewery introduced a new beer this week -- only the second draft the company's turned out since starting production last fall -- but it's being offered for a limited time only.

Story here: http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20120823/mott-haven/bronx-brewery-launches-limited-edition-beer#ixzz24giZDbbf

Sixpoint leaps into Texas market
As of this week, Sixpoint has taken another huge step, leapfrogging quite a few other states to start selling beer in Texas. Locally, the beers are being distributed by Silver Eagle Distributors and Del Papa Distributing. They are also available in Austin and Fort Worth....

Story here: http://blog.chron.com/beertx/2012/08/weekend-beercast-welcome-brooklyns-sixpoint-to-texas/

Rochester's ROC Brewing launches second commercial with Sam Adams
Jim mentors the fledgling Roc Brewing Company through challenges faced by a startup craft brewery. Part two focuses on Roc Brewing's history and their success in the program. It's a video!

Video here: http://vimeo.com/47888543

A hops revival in Ontario County

On a Saturday afternoon in August, friends and family gathered for a celebration at the Bowerman farm in Victor. Stories were shared and laughs were had. However, there was one problem: The keg was kicked. Luckily, that's not too much of an obstacle when the hosts are hops farmers.

Story here: http://www.mpnnow.com/ontario_county/x1265468783/Brewing-up-a-revival-in-hops-in-Ontario-County

Empire Brewing serves up fresh and local
It's a busy Sunday brunch time at Empire Brewing Company in Syracuse. Behind the line, cooks shout orders and the dining area is filling up with customers. A blues band is getting ready to play a set, a weekly tradition here.

Story here: http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/20325/20120817/restaurants-serving-up-more-fresh-local-ingredients

Saranac Lake OK's microbrewery
The village Planning Board has OK'd Mark Gillis' plan to convert the former Carcuzzi car wash building on Lake Flower Avenue into a microbrewery.

Story here: http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/532395/Saranac-Lake-microbrewery-gets-planning-board-approval.html?nav=5008

Shmaltz Brewing: A craft beer outsourcing success

2012-08-21T19:00:26Z

You may have enjoyed a Shmaltz beer, but do you know where it was brewed? Bloomberg BusinessWeek provides us with a interesting look at this craft beer brewed in Saratoga Springs, New York - two million bottles a year. ]]> From the article:

Beer lover Jeremy Cowan hadn't ever brewed a single batch of beer when he launched his craft beer company, Shmaltz Brewing, out of his Mission District loft in San Francisco in 1996. Instead, Cowan, then a technology purchasing manager at a startup, paid a local brewer $1,500 to make and bottle the first 100 cases. In a nod to his Jewish heritage, Cowan named the ale He'brew Genesis...

Full story:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-20/a-craft-beer-brands-winning-recipe-outsourcing

New labels, branding for Ommegang

2012-08-20T22:26:48Z

Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY is revealing a new look complete with a line of new, sleek labels.

]]> http://www.dexigner.com/news/25520.

Ommegang's website is featuring the new look already, as well.

Minneapolis firm Duffy & Partners designed the new brand identity.

Village Voice's Brooklyn Pour brewfest announced

2012-08-11T14:05:39Z

The Village Voice's Brooklyn Pour will be Saturday, October 6th, and tickets go on sale August 22nd.

More info below:

]]> Village Voice Brooklyn Pour Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, October 6th, 2012
Session 1: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Session 2: 6:00 - 9:00 PM

VIP TICKET
$65 - VIP Ticket
The exclusive VIP ticket includes:
• Access to the VIP mezzanine
• Exclusive drinks and complimentary food
• VIP Gift Bag
• Complimentary souvenir tasting glass
• Access to your purchased session featuring sampling of 100+ beers and entertainment

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKET
$45 - General Admission Ticket
The General Admission ticket includes:
• Entrance to the event during your purchased session
• Sampling of 100+ beers
• Complimentary souvenir tasting glass
• Entertainment

http://microapp.villagevoice.com/brooklyn-pour/2012

Follow on Twitter @BKPour

Long Island's craft beer scene "explodes"

2012-08-10T13:36:54Z

Terrific article from LongIslandPress.com on the explosion of the craft beer scene in recent years. Interesting detail, photos, and a list of Long Island breweries. What more could one ask? ]]> From the article:

Towing a 170-lb. beer keg on the back of his company bicycle to a pub in tourist-clogged downtown Montauk on a recent sweaty summer afternoon, Vaughan Cutillo stops traffic as passersby marvel aloud at the spectacle. It's not the handsome 27-year-old's public show of strength that turns heads and prompts shouts of encouragement, however. Many are just learning that the Montauk Brewing Company opened its headquarters near the traffic circle six weeks ago--and that bike is among their most visible advertising....

Full Story: http://www.longislandpress.com/2012/08/09/long-islands-craft-beer-explosion

Good Nature Brewing: A local, natural approach to crafting beer

2012-08-06T14:24:48Z

Christian and Jerri hold down the fort while the owners

represent at Belgium Comes to Cooperstown.

Tucked away on a quiet street in Hamilton, NY, a fledgling brewery is brewing beer that hearkens back to a rich past. The village may be best known as the home of Colgate University, but it is located in the heart of former hop country. Over a hundred years ago, this land was the leading supplier of hops in the nation, and a significant source to the world.

Of course, that's changed now. But Good Nature Brewing reminds us of our rich history, and seeks to make ties to that hop-growing heyday.

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The brewery has an inviting, non-assuming personality. It's easy to miss the small sign that sends you to the entrance, but once inside, the amiable charm of the employees- and the beer- beckon.

A tasting tour of the beers starts with the Good Natured Blonde ale. On the day we visited, the day was moving toward sweltering, and this refreshing beer was a great way to start.

The Chicory Mocha Porter and the Chamomile Honey Witte were unique standouts among other strong offerings. An avid lover of tea, I was intrigued by the latter. The chamomile is steeped during the last five minutes of the boil, providing a pleasant aftertaste but not asserting itself upfront.

Reviews of anything are highly subjective, and therefore I like to avoid them. If you were to ask me what the "best beer" was, I would opine on the positive qualities of several. But when you have one growler to fill, perhaps that speaks the strongest.

We took home a growler of The Nor 'Easter.

I knew at first sip this was something special. Strong, smooth, and possessing that something that made it stand out from countless beers I've enjoyed over the years.

As hop farming takes steps to re-establishing itself in Madison County and the surrounding area, it's nice to see the results put to such good use.

Good Nature Brewing's unassuming sign

A sample of Chamomile Honey Witte

Where Route 20 meets 12B, a sign heralds the rich
history of the area

GABF sells out, Syracuse and Buffalo like their drinks, a brewfest, and a carwash brewery

2012-08-04T14:09:32Z

Some interesting articles to share from the last week:

On the national front, The Great American Beer Fest sold out. In minutes. There's always sky-high StubHub tickets for the desperate.

Closer to home, a guy is interested in turning a Saranac Lake carwash into a microbrewery. A brewfest is planned for the Corning Area. And, Syracuse and Buffalo are included in a list by the Huffington Post.

Links below!
]]> Great American Beer Festival sells out in minutes
One needs to look no further than the Great American Beer Festival held in Denver each year to see the rising popularity of craft beer.Just five years ago, beer drinkers could wait until the week of the festival to pick up a ticket or two. Not anymore. Thursday, the event sold out in a matter of minutes...
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20120802/BREWERY/308020033/Great-American-Beer-Festival-tickets-sell-out-matter-minutes

Microbrewery planned in Saranac Lake
Mark Gillis wants to turn an old carwash into Saranac Lake's first microbrewery...
http://adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/532118/Microbrewery-planned-in-Saranac-Lake.html?nav=5017

Corning area brewfest August 25th
Tickets for the second annual N.Y. Craft Beer Experience are now available. The event will be held from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Heritage Restaurant and Meeting Place at the Indian Hills Golf Course...
http://www.the-leader.com/news/x1225365881/Experience-craft-beer-at-Heritage-Restaurant

Syracuse, Buffalo included in list of top ten drinking towns
An article from the Huffington Post that includes an interesting "Bar Density" map.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jed-kolko/eating-towns-drinking-towns_b_1729283.html

Brown's Brewing increasing capacity; experiences boost in sales

2012-07-31T17:35:18Z

The Business Review "BizBlog" had an interesting article on Brown's Brewing of Troy, NY. The brewery has experienced increased demand and is also working on an expansion project.

Some key points of interest:
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* Brewery capacity will expand from 2,600 barrels a year to 20,000 by December

* 2012 revenue is projected to increase by 10 - 12 percent

Full article here: http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/blog/2012/07/browns-delays-malt-room-opening-to.html

New Saratoga brewpub opening August 1st

2012-07-30T15:03:00Z

I love visiting Saratoga Springs. Activities abound, from the racetrack to SPAC. And the craft beer enthusiast in me enjoys the quality pubs and restaurants the village has to offer. The Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. is a nice place to visit too, offering fine ales in a low-key setting (they also contract-brew Schmaltz beers).

Add to the mix Druthers Brewing Co., a new brewery and brewpub conveniently located downtown. Druthers officially opens August 1st, and features craft brews designed by a former master brewer of the Albany Pump Station.

I've included their official press release below, and look forward to stopping in during my next Saratoga visit.

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A new craft brewery and brewpub is opening in Saratoga's Downtown Historic District. Druthers, a 5,100 square foot brewpub and 3,500 square foot beer garden, opens Wednesday, August 1st, 2012.

Given their Druthers, Chris a lawyer, George a one-time bio-chemist, and Brian a financial analyst, are choosing to brew beer. They're betting the shirts off their backs and living out a lifelong brewery dream.

The beer menu will feature a changing array of seasonal selections and mainstays including an IPA, Wheat Beer, Brown Ale, and Pilsner. Druthers' master brewer is Albany's own George de Piro, formerly the master brewer at the Albany Pump Station. Each of Druthers beers will be brewed as a tribute to the craft brew loving men and women who've taken the inspired chances and made the hard choices to live out their Druthers.

In addition to delicious craft brews, Druthers will offer a relaxing ambiance and a brewpub menu that'll take a fresh (never frozen) locally-sourced approach to pub grub. The menu is inspired by beer, predominantly cooked with beer, and features the best of American cuisine (with bold flavors from Latin, Creole, Midwest, West Coast, and New England influences). A handful of healthy options and sharable appetizers were designed specifically for selectively indulgent craft brew enthusiasts.

Druthers is located at 381 Broadway, Saratoga, NY.

Create your own beverage trail: A map of New York craft beer breweries and brewpubs

2012-07-26T20:24:18Z

A while ago, I created a Google map of New York breweries and brewpubs. Over a year and several thousand views later, it was time to update.

So here it is: an updated map of New York breweries and brewpubs with 20 new locations. I tried to include every visitable maker of beer. Some nano-brewery sites didn't indicate they had visiting hours yet. If there is a brewery that you feel should be on the map, please let me know.

View Craft Beer: New York Breweries and Brewpubs in a larger map

Summer has been kind to these homegrown hops

2012-07-23T23:32:29Z

It has been a good summer for growing hops- so far.

Good producers over the few years I've had them, my hop plants have exploded this hot, New York summer.
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The plants are mildly dry from the recent drought, and there has been pest damage typical to what I've experienced in past summers. However, I'm still expecting a big crop. Maybe this will be the year I attempt a wet-hop ale.

Hard to believe they've grown from small rhizomes to the towering plants they are now in just a couple of years.

Craft beer at Saratoga! Otter Creek collaboration! Links!

2012-07-23T15:55:24Z

The last few days were busy for craft beer enthusiasts. In the following set of links, Saranac collaborates with Otter Creek, Cuomo signs the beer bill in Utica, the Empire Brewfest, well, happened.

My favorite? Probably the Saratoga Race Track adding craft beer. About time!
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Saratoga Race Course adds craft beer, wifi

Visitors to Saratoga Race Course can pack laptops and leave their beer coolers home this summer. On Wednesday, the New York Racing Association introduced expanded options for betting and beer during a preview of the 144th Saratoga meet...

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Bet-on-it-WiFi-craft-beer-3716538.php#ixzz21Sh2kfIz

Saranac, Otter Creek collaborate on beer

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. and Otter Creek Brewing in Middlebury, Vt., have combined forces to create H2, a hefeweizen-style beer being released at this weekend's Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington.

http://www.uticaod.com/news/x42015103/F-X-Matt-Vermont-breweries-team-up-to-create-H2-beer

Cuomo signs beer bill at Saranac's brewery

A glass of Saranac Lager was waiting for Gov. Cuomo at Utica's F.X. Matt Brewery after a Wednesday morning signing ceremony. Cuomo and legislators reached agreement on three bills during this year's legislative session to spare the state's 92 brewers from a March 28 legal settlement that would have upped their state taxes by more than $1 million.

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/A-tax-rise-for-brewers-that-s-toast-3718047.php#ixzz21SiGJ08F

Empire Brewfest happens

Video!

http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/592340/empire-brew-fest-fills-clinton-square/