Items tagged with 'beer'

Schenectady Ale Trail

Great Flats Brewing

Great Flats Brewing in downtown Schenectady.

There is now a Schenectady Ale Trail and -- as you might guess from the name -- it's a collection of craft brewers in Schenectady County that are already operating or will be soon:

+ Frog Alley Brewery - opening soon in the new Mill Artisan District development in downtown Schenectady
+ Wolf Hollow Brewery - Glenville
+ Great Flats Brewery - downtown Schenectady
+ Mad Jack Brewery - in the Stockade in Schenectady
+ Druthers Brewery - Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady
+ Back Barn Brewery - opening in 2019 in Duanesburg

The marketing effort is offering a digital passport program for $40, which includes a free beer flight at each of the breweries. And if you go to all stops, you can get a free t-shirt.

The announcement of the Schenectady Ale Trail from Discover Schenectady also included some bits about the various brewing system capacities and production at the participating breweries that might be interesting to beer nerds. They're below.

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Follow up: Delaware Supply

Delaware Supply 2018-July exterior

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Delaware Supply opened just before Christmas last year next to the Spectrum in the space that had been a series of coffee shops.

The craft beer bar is owned by Colin Pratt, who was previously a manager at Westmere Beverage in Guilderland and as a bartender at Albany Ale and Oyster in Albany.

"Business has been good," he said when we stopped in recently, noting that opening around the time of the Academy Award season provided an early boost as people flocked to The Spectrum to see nominated films.

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Follow up: Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing 2018-July exterior cornhole league

AOA is on summer break. So we'll have new follow-ups with people we've met and covered during the last year.

Fort Orange Brewing became Albany's third operating brewery when it opened in a space on North Pearl Street in the Warehouse District last October. It's the product of three friends from Castleton -- Craig Johnson, John Westcott, and Jim Eaton -- who decided to make the jump from home brewing.

The space serves as both a brewery and taproom, and on a recent Wednesday night it was busy with people playing in the brewery's popular cornhole league.

"We're very pleased with where we're at being nine months into this thing," Jim Eaton told us a few days later as we talked about how things have gone for the startup brewery -- and their plans to keep growing...

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Frederick Hinckel and the Hinckel Brewery

Hinckel Brewery ESP background aerial photo Tim Jackson

The Hinckel Brewery building with the Empire State Plaza in the background. / photo: Tim Jackson

By Justin Devendorf

On the northwest corner of Park Avenue and South Swan Street in Albany's Hudson/Park neighborhood, a multi-building complex takes up almost half a city block and dominates the immediate area. Constructed in the late 1880s, this behemoth played a vital role in the brewing and distribution of beer across the city and the country.

This is the story of immigrant, brewmaster, and former Albany resident Frederick Hinckel -- and the Hinckel Brewery.

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Here's a map of every brewery in New York State

Great Flats Brewing in Schenectady

Great Flats Brewing in Schenectady is one of the many new farm breweries around the state.

As of mid February of this year New York State had 400 breweries, the Cuomo admin announced this month. That's said to be a new record for the number of individual breweries in the state, surpassing the former high count of 393 in 1876.

When that announcement arrived, we put together a map of the 46 breweries in the greater Capital Region.

People seemed to like that, so we figured, hey, why not just roll together a clickable map of all 400 breweries around the state?

So we did. And here it is.

(Also: A quick run though some New York State brewing history.)

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There are now 400 breweries in New York State

Fort Orange Brewing Albany

Fort Orange Brewing, which opened in Albany last October, is one of the 400.

Bonus: We've added a map of the Capital Region breweries.

New York State now has more breweries than at any other point in history, the Cuomo admin reported Wednesday.

There are 400 breweries operating in the Empire State. The previous high count was 393 in 1876.

The Cuomo admin points out there have been 243 new breweries licensed since 2012, and 202 of them have gotten the OK to operate under the relatively new farm brewery license that took effect at the start of 2013. That license relaxes a bunch of rules for breweries if they use a certain percentage of ingredients grown in state. (There's also a farm winery license that dates back to the 1970s, as well as more recent farm distillery and farm cidery licenses.)

It's probably true that New York is also riding the general rising tide of craft beer over the last decade or so. Example: In 2016 overall production of beer in the United State was flat, but craft beer production was up more than 6 percent and grew to more than 12 percent all beer produced in the US.

Here's the whole list of breweries, which includes 46 in the (greater) Capital Region....

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Spring beer festival season will be here soon

Albany Craft Beer Festival 2017 crowd

Last year's Albany Craft Beer Festival at the Washington Ave Armory. / photo via Albany Craft Beer Festival Facebook

The natural rhythms of late February through April: melting snow, the first green shoots, and migrating packs of beer nerds.

Yes, spring beer fest season will soon be here, and again there are a handful of festivals around the region...

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A new, expanded spot on Lark for Pint Sized

250 Lark Street 2018-January

The planned new spot.

The Lark Street craft beverage shop Pint Sized is moving -- to a new location, and to a (somewhat) different format.

"It's time to grow, to move on to better things," owner August Rosa said Tuesday.

Here's a little bit about what's up with the shop and Lark Street generally...

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A look around Delaware Supply

Delaware Supply exterior

Some quick follow-up on Delaware Supply, the craft beer bar that's been in the works for the space next to The Spectrum that was previously a series of coffee shops.

It opened shortly before Christmas, and here are a handful of pics along with a few other bits...

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Where to get a custom pint glass?

pint glass on barSean emails:

Do any of your readers know of any local places where I could have a pint glass etched with a custom logo? There are tons of websites out there that do this, but I'd love to go local if possible.

These sorts of custom glasses are so common now, there's gotta be at least one local place that can do this.

Got a suggestion for Sean? Please share! And a sentence or two about why you're recommending a place can be helpful.

photo: Deanna Fox

Albany Craft Beer Festival 2018

albany craft beer festival 2018 logoThe Albany Craft Beer Festival is set to return to the Washington Ave Armory April 7. And tickets are already on sale -- they're $65. The ticket includes "access to an unlimited tasting of 100+ rare and special release beers" along with five-ounce tasting glass.

This is the second year for the festival, which is run by the crew at the Brew Crew / Oliver's. This time around it's breaking the festival up into two sessions -- noon to 3 pm, and 4-7 pm. Each is capped at 750 people.

The website has yet to list participating beers and breweries. "As you know, many of the breweries we feature are famous for their hoppy beers. Due to the importance of the freshness associated with IPAs, DIPAs and Pale Ales, confirmation of specific offerings won't happen until very close to party time. If you attended last year, you know we brought the noise!"

The festival is part of a larger Albany Craft Beer Week, which stretches from April 2-7.

A look around the new Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing in Albany opening

The new Albany brewery -- Fort Orange Brewing -- officially opened Wednesday afternoon.

Its space, a combination brewery/tap room, is on North Pearl Street in the Warehouse District. Six of its brews were on tap, along with cider from Nine Pin.

Fort Orange Brewing is the product of Craig Johnson, John Westcott, and Jim Eaton. The three friends from Castleton started brewing at home together a few years back and decided to make the jump to a full brewery. As Eaton told us back in August, the plan is to offer their beers in the tap room, along with snacks. They'll also be inviting food trucks to set up outside. Eaton said the goal is to create a family-friendly atmosphere.

It's the third brewery now operating in the city of Albany, joining the C. H. Evans Brewing (the Pump Station) and Druthers. The craft beverage producer list also includes Albany Distilling Co. and Nine Pin Cider.

Here's a look around the new place...

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Here are a few bits for the new bar planned for the space next to The Spectrum

In the works for the space next-door to the Spectrum: Delaware Supply, a bar focused on craft beer.

Owner Colin Pratt got a conditional use permit for the project approved by the Albany planning board Thursday night.

Here are a more few bits about what's in store...

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100 Mile Beer Fest

100 Mile Beer Fest logo

The 100 Mile Beer Fest will be at Lakeside Farms in Ballston Spa October 7. Blurbage:

We're a brewer-focused festival hosting only 25 of the 150+ breweries within a 100 mile radius from Lakeside Farms in Ballston Lake, NY. Some may be behemoths of sales, others may be unheard of mysteries, but many you'll be familiar with their names, product, and reputation. Each year we'll have the brewers we hand-select, come and pour their own creations for you.

A list of some of the participating breweries is below. And as the materials for the event note, the list is subject to change.

Tickets for the festival are $52 and available online. Organizers say net proceeds will go to Friends of Clifton Park Open Space.

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Collar City Beer Invitational 2017

Collar City Beer Invitational 2017 promo photo

Troy Craft Beer Week returns September 11-17. And this year's schedule of events includes the Collar City Beer Invitational at Takk House September 15. Event blurbage:

A signature event for Troy Craft Beer Week, the Invitational will feature over 30 hand selected breweries from around the world, around the nation, and around the corner. Each attending brewery will be pouring rare and unique beers from their portfolio, sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Takk House, our unique venue in beautiful and historic downtown Troy, allows for a level of interaction and connectivity between producer and consumer not found at typical beer festivals. Try something new and rediscover something you love, all with unmatched access to the folks that know the product inside and out.

That link above includes a list of participating breweries and food vendors. The event is Friday, September 15 from 7-10 pm. Tickets are $65 and available online.

Troy on Tap
Also that weekend: The return of the Troy on Tap Beer Festival that Saturday, September 16 at a field along the river on the south side of downtown Troy. More than 65 craft breweries are scheduled to participate.

General tickets are currently $35 (price increases after September 10), and VIP tickets are $55.

Restaurant week
That week is also restaurant week in Troy. The lineup of participating restaurants is TBA.

photo: Matthew 'Fuj' Scher

Fort Orange Brewing

Fort Orange Brewing Jim Eat

Jim Eaton in the Fort Orange Brewing space. He's part of the team that includes Craig Johnson and John Westcott.

Albany's Warehouse District is in line to add another craft beverage producer this fall with the planned opening of Fort Orange Brewing.

Here's a quick overview of what's in the works and who's involved...

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A look around Great Flats Brewing

Great Flats Brewing interior

Every month it seems like there's a new brewery somewhere around the region. And one of the most recent is Great Flats Brewing in Schenectady.

The brewery opened three months downtown, and this Thursday had its official ribbon cutting.

Here's a look around the brewery space, along with a few bits about what's going on there.

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Hudson Valley Hops 2017

Hudson Valley Hops 2017 posterThe Hudson Valley Hops event is back at the Albany Institute April 8. Tickets are $35 ahead and available online.

The annual event celebrates the history of brewing in the Hudson Valley, and this year has an Erie Canal theme. There will be tastings, a local IPA blind taste test, and special Irish Red Ales from Chatham Brewing and local craft beer pioneer Bill Newman in collaboration with Brown's.

Local brewing artifacts will also be on display.

Here's the list of participating breweries...

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A handful of upcoming craft beer festivals

NYSBA Craft New York at Desmond 2014

From a previous Craft New York Brewers Festival at The Desmond. / photo: New York State Brewers Association

Whatever you call that in-between season from late February through April -- often not totally winter, but not really spring -- also happens to be a beer fest season.

And this year is no different, with a handful of festivals around the region...

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Albany Craft Beer Week and Festival 2017

Washington Ave Armory Albany exteriorThere's an Albany Craft Beer Week planned for April 17-23, with an Albany Craft Beer Festival on April 22 at the Washington Ave Armory.

The organizers of the week and festival are from Oliver's in Albany and Westmere Beverage in Guilderland. Press release blurbage:

The festival will focus on high-end and limited-release craft beer. Rather than offering an alternative VIP admission that would exclude many consumers from sampling, the organizers are working to curate a selection of hundreds of these exclusive beers making the entire experience VIP. In addition to providing a never-before-seen selection of beer, the festival will offer the opportunity for many consumers to talk to brewers, reps, and other beer enthusiasts. There will be local food vendors, festival-centric merchandise, charitable raffles and giveaways.

Tickets for the festival are $65, which includes a tasting glass, unlimited tastings, and four tokens for limited quantity beers. There's also a $20 ticket for designated drivers which includes a $10 food voucher and one free Stacks Espresso coffee.

It looks like a detailed schedule for the events during the week has not yet been posted.

A look at the Beer Diviner's new Troy tap room

Beer Diviner Troy tap room

Quick follow-up on the news that Beer Diviner was opening a tap room in downtown Troy: The bar is now open at 461 Broadway (at the corner with 5th Ave) -- and the grand opening is set for this Friday.

Here's a quick look around, along with a few bits about the new place...

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Can't afford a brewery? Share one.

glass of nine pin ciderNext year it will become legal in New York State to operate what are essentially shared brewery/cidery/winery production facilities that home brewers will be able to drop in and use.

Legislation allowing these "custom centers" passed earlier this year, and the governor has now signed it, the Cuomo admin announced this week.

From the memo for the Senate bill, sponsored by David Carlucci, a Democrat who represents Rockland County:

[The legislation creates] a new custom beermakers' center license that authorizes the operation of a custom beermakers' center facility to provide individuals with rental space (to make and store homemade beer), the use of equipment and storage facilities, and/or beer making supplies for the production of beer for personal household use and not for commercial use or resale purposes. It defines beer making supplies as products grown or produced in New York in quantity amounts as determined by the State Liquor Authority. A custom beermakers' center licensee would be authorized, if permitted by the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau,(TTB) to conduct training classes on how to manufacture beer and conduct certain tastings of beer produced on the premises.

The legislation does the same thing for cider and wine. From a Cuomo admin press release:

New York's craft beverage industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation, however many urban and suburban residents often cannot afford or do not have access to the appropriate space or equipment to make homemade beer, cider, or wine in their homes or apartments. These custom production centers not only provide space and lower the overhead costs of production, but they also provide amateur brewers and wine and cider makers with the local ingredients and expert training needed when first starting out.

The legislation takes effect in six months.

We hadn't heard about these sorts of production centers before, so we poked around online looking for examples and found a few that look somewhat similar -- including one in Boston, and another in New Hampshire.

Beer Diviner planning Troy spot

461 Broadway in downtown Troy

Update: Here's a press release about the new taproom, which mentions an opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Check it out: It looks like The Beer Diviner is setting up a bar in downtown Troy.

The brewery mentioned the plan for 461 Broadway recently on both its Instagram and FB page. (Also: The building is owned by Harry Tutunjian, and he tweeted a welcome to the location to the brewery Wednesday afternoon.)

The Beer Diviner currently has a farm brewery and tasting room in Cherry Plain in Rensselaer County. A few years back Casey talked with owner Jonathan Post about the operation, his approach to beer -- and how he became known as the Beer Diviner.

We have an email in with The Beer Diviner and we're hoping to hear back about a potential opening date.

461 Broadway? If that address seems familiar, it was the location for both Nibble, and before that, Francesca's.

Chicken spiedies at Excelsior Pub

excelsior pub chicken spiedies

By Deanna Fox

I recently had a conversation with two chefs transplanted to this area from Manhattan. When I asked them what they thought of the Upstate food scene, they answered exactly how you think they might: "There is no good food scene outside of New York City."

I'm pretty sure my immediate reaction was an audible "pfffft" and an eyeroll so strong it shook leaves from trees.

Of course they would say that, stuck inside a tony restaurant for hours upon hours, without any chance to scope out what's unique about the food landscape here.

Fortunately they wouldn't have to travel far to sample the best parts of Upstate cuisine. Excelsior Pub, which reopened a year ago in Albany after a lengthy hiatus, serves up only New York State-produced wine, beer, and spirits -- with a food menu that hits the hallmarks of Upstate eats: Beef on weck. Hoffman's hot dogs, Buffalo wings, garbage plates.

Not to be left off the list is chicken spiedies. Not quite a sandwich and yet not something completely different from a sandwich -- sort of like a hot dog, or maybe a gyro, wherever that falls on the sandwich spectrum -- chicken spiedies are a true taste of Southern Tier food.

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Artisanal Brew Works

artisanal brew works logoIt seems like there's a new craft brewery/distillery/cidery popping up (almost) every month lately. The newest: Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs. The brewery has an opening party this Saturday (July 23) starting at 1 pm, with food from Nine Miles East.

Artisal Brew Works is in the former Serotta bike factory space on Geyser Road southwest of downtown near SPAC (map). Also located there: Upstate Distilling Co.

The two people behind ABW are both high school teachers. Over at the Saratogian, Lauren Halligan recently talked with them about how they got into the brewery business, and the types of beers they're making (there's an emphasis on Belgian styles).

School of beer

sccc craft beer course info posterAmong the things we learned this week: There is a US Open College Beer Championship. For making beer -- not drinking it.

And, as it happens, a beer made by students from Schenectady County Community College's craft beer program -- Question Mark IPA -- won a silver medal in the open category of this year's competition.

SCCC piloted a brewer training program earlier this year. And it's planning to offer a craft beer brewing certificate program and a craft brewing associate's degree program starting this fall.

The college has an info session about its intro to craft brewing course lined up for Monday, July 25 at 6 pm at its campus in downtown Schenectady. The course is scheduled to start this October.

Two local brewery anniversary parties this week

Druthers Albany

One of the interesting aspects of the local food scene in recent years has been the opening of a handful of new craft breweries/distilleries/cideries. And two of them are celebrating anniversaries this week:

Druthers in Albany
The Druthers location in Albany -- which includes a restaurant and production facility for the brewery -- is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a block party this Thursday with food (they're roasting a whole pig) and beverage indoors and out, along with brewery tours and live music. The section of Bridge Street alongside the brewery on Broadway in the Warehouse District will be closed off for the party. Thursday 4:30-11 pm

Rare Form
Rare Form Brewing Co. in Troy will be celebrating its second anniversary this Saturday and Sunday with the release of some beers and and some food pop-ups. Here's the lineup:

Saturday starting at 1 pm
+ Can releases of Royal Coconut Cream Ale and Sexy Beats IPA -- the first 50 people to purchase cans will receive a free Sexy Beats poster. (They're Rare Form's first can releases.)
+ Peck's Arcade "Alleycart" serving tacos
+ The Dutch Udder ice cream cart serving beer ice cream
+ DJ Chill Smith playing music from 8-11 pm

Sunday at noon
+ Brunch pop-up with The Shop serving savory and sweet crepes.
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Druthers advertises on AOA.

The Brew Brew

brew brew tap handleOne of the interesting things about the fermenting craft beverage scene in the Capital Region the collaborations that happen between the different players.

Here's a new one: Brew -- the shop on Lark Street in Albany -- has teamed up with Chatham Brewing and Barkeater Coffee Roasters to create a line of specials beers to offer in the shop. Press release blurbage:

The Brew Brew will be a rotating line on the shop's growler menu that will feature various combinations of Chatham Brewing beers with the Brew Blend, a private label coffee created specifically for Brew by Barkeater Coffee Roasters.
The first batch (The Brew Brew: Batch 1) will be a Coffee Maple Amber Ale. More concoctions are in the works and will be announced as they are released. The shop hopes to rotate this offering every 2-3 months with different brews each time.

The launch of the first Brew Brew is set for a tasting during 1st Friday on May 6 (also Tulip Fest weekend) from 5-8 pm.

Earlier on AOA: Checking in with Brew

Death Wish/Albany Distilling: It sounds like another local beverage collaboration -- a coffee-flavored vodka from Death Wish Coffee and Albany Distilling Co. -- will also be released soon.

photo via Brew

Hudson Valley Hops 2016

Hedrick's beer cans at Albany InstituteThe Hudson Valley Hops event will be back at the Albany Institute April 16. Tickets are $35 ahead / $40 at the door.

The annual event celebrates the history of brewing in the Hudson Valley. This year's it will be marking the 35th anniversary of Newman's Pale Ale, which was once produced by Bill Newman in (what's now known as) the Warehouse District in Albany and played a key role at the beginning of the craft beer boom. (Newman was recently at Davidson Brothers in Glens Falls for the brewing of a new batch of the beer.)

Additional blurbage:

Enjoy a one-time blind taste testing featuring 12 to 15 pale ales from craft brewers up and down the Hudson Valley, from Lake George to Yonkers. Hosted by Steve Barnes of the Times Union's Table Hopping with celebrity judges including Ric Orlando.

The event also includes food from New World, a commemorative glass, and an exhibition of local brewing history.

AIHA advertises on AOA.

Belgium Comes to Cooperstown 2016

ommegang beer cafeThis year's Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival at Brewery Ommegang is set for August 5-6.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 1 at noon and they usually sell out very quickly : "Please note that VIP tickets have sold out in under a minute for the last four years and historically, all tickets sell out within a day of the event going on sale."

Event blurbage:

...3,000 lucky guests will enjoy the opportunity to taste hard-to-find Belgian import brews as well as Belgian-style ales from all over North America. More than 100 breweries will be on-hand pouring while festival-goers fully immerse themselves in a wild and wonderful space fueled by the legendary actor's best known movies and characters. Tickets go on sale to the public April 1.
As always, BCTC promises more than just great beer - gourmet food vendors, live music, on-site camping and fireworks make the weekend truly special. And of course, surprises! The entire event will be designed to emulate the creativity and spirit of Bill Murray, and what could be more Murray-like than an "anything is possible" attitude and expectation.

The brewery will also be open for breakfast that Sunday.

General admission tickets for Saturday's tasting are $110 ($125 with camping). There's also a $50 designated driver ticket. VIP tickets -- which include a beer dinner that Friday night, two nights of campus, and early access -- are $275.

TAP New York 2016

TAP NY 2015The annual TAP New York craft beer and food festival will be back at Hunter Mountain April 23-24. Tickets are currently $82 (Saturday) and $72 (Sunday) -- and $30 for designated drivers both days. (There's also a VIP ticket for $157 and $147.)

Event blurbage:

Many of the invited brewers produce their beer for sale only in their location.... whether it is a restaurant, a brewpub or a small brewery. Others are breweries large enough to distribute on a larger scale, but maintain an excellent quality through their commitment to hands-on, craft-brewing their product. You won't find Anheuser-Busch, Coors, or Miller products here. What you will find are some truly remarkable beers that will tantalize your taste buds... beers that offer a variety of color and flavor that the big brewers don't do. You'll find everything from pale ales and pilseners, to weisbiers, porters, stouts, and scotch ales; from hearty Bohemian and Bavarian-style lagers to glorious Belgian-style ales and much more.
But TAP® New York is more than just about the beer. It's about great food -- tasty morsels that carefully complement these rich brews. And plenty of it.

There are currently 118 breweries registered for the event, according to the website.

Brown's bus: Brown's Brewing in Troy is offering bus service to and from the festival for $90. "Your ticket gets you a seat on one of the four buses (now five due to high demand this year), entrance to the festival, beer on the bus, and a fabulous t-shirt."

photo: TAP NY FB

Helderberg Brewery grand opening

helderberg brewery logoThe Helderberg Brewery at the Carey Institute in Rensselaerville has its grand opening lined up for next week and there are events that might interest you:

March 10: Helderberg Brewery Keg Tap at the Palmer House
Helderberg Brewery brewer Greg Hostash and brewery manager Rebecca Platel Plate will be at the Palmer House in Rensselaerville at 6 pm to tap a key of beer and chat about the project.

March 12: Grand opening at the brewery
The Helderberg Brewery and nearby estate home will be open for a celebration from 6-9 pm. Helderberg beer will be available for purchase, and there will be food along with music by Red Haired Strangers. The brewery project's growler club is also launching that night.

Admission is free at both events. The full list of events next week is at that first link above.

Helderberg Brewery? Blurbage:

Helderberg Brewery is a project of the Carey Institute's Sustainable Communities Program. It is a fully operational farm brewery and brewery incubator. Through brewery operations, the incubator and other initiatives, we work to build a farm-to-glass supply chain connecting farmers, malt houses and craft beverage producers in the Greater Capital Region. We host workshops for farmers interested in growing hops and small grains; and, we provide hands-on learning and technical workshops for the region's many craft beverage producers. We are also developing Source NY, an online marketplace and supply chain map to connect farmers and craft producers.

If you've never been to Rensselaerville, it's a beautiful town in the southwestern corner of Albany County. If you head there, you might also want to make a stop at the Huyck Preserve, which is a fun place to walk/hike.

It's winter beerfest season

NYSBA Craft New York at Desmond 2014

From a previous Craft New York Brewers Festival at The Desmond.

Coming up over the next month or so:

February 20: Saratoga Beer Summit at Saratoga City Center
It's the cap to Saratoga Beer Week. "Sample over 150 releases from some of America's best craft breweries. Plus hang out in an atmosphere filled with live music, delicious food available for purchase, and great vendors." Saturday, February 20 two sessions 1-4 pm / 5:30-8:30 pm -- $40

March 5: Craft New York Brewers Festival at The Desmond
The third year for this festival organized by the New York State Brewers Association. "The Craft New York Brewers Festival will bring together 45 New York Breweries (and brewers) from every region of the state featuring up to 100+ hard to find and award winning beers. To make this very special event more exclusive, we will feature food sampling and pairing from local Albany restaurants and food vendors to go along with each brewery attending at no extra cost!" Saturday, March 5 5-8 pm -- $40 ahead ($50 day of) / $55 VIP ahead ($65 day) gets you in an hour earlier and access to handful of one-off beers / $15 designated driver

March 12: Snommegang Invitational Beer Festival in Oneonta
"For the third annual Snommegang Invitational; Brewery Ommegang will be inviting a host of our craft brewing brethren to sample their wares and wow our audience. In addition to the seven breweries that are represented by Duvel Moorgat USA LTD we will feature brews by at least 30 of our good craft beer friends." Saturday, March 12 2-6 pm -- $50

photo: New York State Brewers Association

Looking ahead at New York's craft beverage boom

glass of nine pin cider

Hard cider is one of the many growing segments of the state's craft beverages industry.

By Deanna Fox

We wrap up Following Food week with a few drinks.

I write frequently about the beer, cider, wine, and spirits industry, and to be honest it is hard to keep up with the frequency at which another craft beverage producer is launching, or when new craft products are being released. New York State is a hotbed for craft beverages, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down.

Just ask Andrew Cuomo. Last month, his administration held the third wine, beer, spirits and cider summit in Albany that brought together beverage makers, farmers, politicians, and bureaucrats to discuss the progress made in the beverage production in New York State.

"Our investments in the farm-based beverage industry have created a synergy of economic momentum for wineries, cideries, breweries and distilleries. That momentum is fueling opportunity for small businesses across the state, and we are going to keep it coming well into the future," said Cuomo, who then announced a series of investments and initiatives totaling more than $16 million to support the beverage industry's growth.

Here are some of the obstacles -- and opportunities -- that are still ahead...

cdphp in-post ad local food week 2

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Workshop for startup breweries

carey center barnIf ever you thought, "Hey, we should start a brewery..." The Helderberg Brewery & Incubator in Rensselaerville is hosting a workshop this Saturday for startup craft breweries. Blurbage:

The full-day workshop, "Brewing Your Best: Techniques to Excel for Small-Scale Producers," is designed for startup nano- and micro-breweries and those in planning. The program will cover production tracking methodology, quality control during cellaring and packaging, and starting a quality control program in a small scale brewery.
Instructors include Matthew Falco, Quality Control/Quality Assurance Brewer at Brown's Brewing Co; Aaron MacLeod, Director of the Hartwick College Center for Craft Food and Beverage; and, Jamie Caligure of Rare Form Brewing Co.

There can be a few different outcomes to checking out something like this, among them: 1) You learn a lot and you're encouraged to push forward and 2) You learn a lot and decide, yeah, maybe I'd just rather stick to drinking beer or making it in the garage. Either way, the experience can be useful. (This goes for all sorts of stuff beyond beer.)

The workshop is Saturday, November 21 from 10 am-5 pm on the grounds of the Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville. It's $30 and includes lunch and refreshments. Registration is required -- see the link above.

Trellis to Table: If you're interested in beer -- drinking and/or making it -- you might find the podcast Trellis to Table interesting. It's hosted by Simon Ouderkirk, who lives in the area, and he talks to farmers and brewers. Example: An episode with Dietrich Gehring of the Indian Ladder Farmstead Brewery and Cidery.

photo: Carey Center for Global Good

When New York was hopped up

hop farm near Cooperstown 1900 NYS Archives

The photo above is from the NYS Archives, and it's from a hop farm near Cooperstown around 1900.

Hop farm? You know it. From the accompany description on the archives site:

In Ostego County in the town of Madison, New Yorker James D. Coolidge planted the first hops yards in 1808. His commercial opportunity came fourteen years later when blight, insects, and unfavorable weather decimated crops in England. This increased the demand for New York's hops in both national and international markets.
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the influx of German immigrants during the first half of the nineteenth century also increased the domestic demand for hops. In 1850, New York shipped 750,000 pounds of hops to British markets. In 1880, all but sixteen New York counties were growing hops. Ostego, Madison, Herkimer, Schoharie, Chenago, Oneida, and Montgomery Counties were the leading producers of hops, with Ostego County producing more hops than any other county in the United States.

Disease and Prohibition pretty much killed off the hop growing industry in New York, and today most of the hops grown in the country are produced out in the Pacific Northwest.

But the crop is making a comeback here, a rise prompted in part by the state's farm brewery license, which requires breweries operating under the license to use a certain percentage of New York-grown ingredients. Casey wrote about the rebirth of the New York hop industry a few years back.

Among the local farms that are part of the re-hopped New York is Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont, which is growing a variety of hops. (You might remember the Indian Ladder Farms IPA at the Pump Station last year.) ILF recently finished this year's hop harvest and posted some photos of the process on its Facebook page.

photo: NYS Archives

Troy Craft Beer Week / Restaurant Week 2015

brewery equipment at Rare Form in TroyUpdated

Troy Craft Beer Week is set to return next week (September 14-19) with events around Troy.

The week includes with < href="http://www.getrucked.com/site/event/troy-craft-beer-week-tcbw-beer-launchpub-crawl/">a pub crawl celebrating the release of a beer brewed for the week: "The style is a Hoppy Wheat brewed with oats and locally sourced honey fermented with brettanomyces."

And the week concludes with the American on Tap beer festival in Riverfront Park that Saturday. Beers from more than 50 craft brewers will be available for sampling. Tickets are $35 ahead / $45 at the event ($55/$65 for VIP).

Restaurant week
Next week is also restaurant week in Troy. Participating restaurants will be offering special prix fixe menus at $5, $10, $20, and $30 price points. (And the Tavern Noodle pop-up will be returning, temporarily taking over the Peck's Arcade space, Wednesday-Saturday.)

Another resurrected Albany Ale is now available

gravina and demler working on previous version of Albany aleThe Albany Ale Project and C.H. Evans Brewing Co. have teamed up again to resurrect another version of the once-famous Albany ale.

This latest version is based on recipes from 1830 that were surfaced by Albany Ale co-creator Craig Gravina, and adapted by Evans head brewer Ryan Demler. (You might remember the first time they did this a few years back -- that version was based on an 1865 1901 recipe.)

Beer blurbage from C.H. Evans:

Our version of the 1830s recipe uses New York grown and malted 6-row barley from Pioneer Malting in Rochester, NY as well as NY produced honey from B's Honey in Watervliet. As with many older styles of beer, "Albany Ale" was brewed with hops, though at the time there wasn't a distinction as to the types or timing of additions, so we took a bit of creative license here and used some cluster variety hops and a token amount of NYS grown Cascade.
This mid-strength beer (of the time) clocks in at 7.9% Alcohol By Volume (ABV) and drinks rather crisp and clean for a recipe nearly 200 years old. The body is light, almost sharp and dry. The relatively heavy hopping rate (for the style) and heavy use of honey result in a brew that's dry and has a pronounced bitterness that helps clean up the finish. A bit of "breadiness" comes through from the grain and works well with the subtly piney hop flavor.

This latest resurrected Albany ale will be on tap exclusively at the Albany Pump Station starting today (September 2) -- and they expect it to be available for about three weeks.

So much of history is the little, everyday stuff that gets lost over time, or just isn't compatible with the way we transmit history. So the Albany Ale Project and the collaboration with C.H. Evans are interesting not just because they highlight Albany's robust brewing history, but also because they afford the opportunity to actually taste (more or less) something from the 19th century.

Drawing: Capital Region Brewer's Fest at The Joe

Brewfest 2.jpgBeer and Summer: two good things that are even better together.

This Saturday is the annual Tri-City ValleyCats Capital Region Brewer's Fest at Joe Bruno Stadium, where more than 30 brewers from around the Northeast and beyond will be on hand with samples of some of their best brews. AOA has a pair of Grand Slam passes to Saturday's festival and they could be yours. The passes include:

+Admission
+Souvenir Sampling Glass
+10 Tasting Tickets
+Commemorative T-Shirt
+Admission to VIP Area with a Catered Buffet
+A Ticket to a Future Tri-City ValleyCats Baseball Game

To enter, just answer this question in the comments of this post:

Beer and summer are a great combination. What is a great Capital Region combination? Maybe it's a beer or wine and food. Maybe it's two places you'd like to push together. Maybe it's something more philosophical. Just something you think is or could be a good Capital Region combo.

The Capital Region Brewer's Festival is this Saturday, July 25, from 2:30pm to 6:30pm. Tickets are still available and range from a $10 designated driver ticket through a $47 Grand Slam package.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59pm today (Thursday, July 23, 2015) to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10am on Friday July 24, 2015 and must respond by 4:30 pm on Friday, July 24.

Drawing: Prize pack for Shmaltz "Two Beer Fests in One" celebration

shmaltz brewing beer glasses sky

Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!

Shmaltz Brewing Company is celebrating the second anniversary of its Clifton Park brewery with a "Two Beer Fests in One" party June 27. Blurbage:

First Feature - Session Beers from around New York State
Second Feature - Double IPAs and Imperial Beers from New York State Brewers
Confirmed Breweries Include: Rushing Duck, Rare Form, Keegan Ales, Speakeasy, Brown's Brewing Company, Paradox Brewing Co., Common Roots, Adirondack Brewing, CH Evans, and more to come...
You'll also find all of Shmaltz Beers Including double IPA's, rare, barrel-aged and cask offerings and brewery tours.
Proceeds to benefit the New York State Brewers Assoication
Rock and Soul by SIRSY- "A Little Band with Big Sound" Boston Globe
Bring your appetite for great beer and delicious food because we'll have plenty of comfort food from THE RUCK and ESPERANTO'S of Saratoga.

We have a prize pack for the party to give away that includes: a pair of tickets to the party, a growler, a $20 gift certificate to the Shmaltz tasting room, a $25 Esperanto gift certificate, along with assorted Shmaltz bottles, a pint glass, a bottle opener, and t-shirt.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

What's on your local "must do" list of summer things this year?

It could be a day trip somewhere. It could be hiking a specific Adirondack mountain. It could be just hanging out by the pool. We'll draw one winner at random.

The Shmaltz Brewing Company "Double Feature" 2nd Anniversary Party is Saturday, June 27 from 1-5 pm. Tickets are $25 general admission / $15 designated driver, and available online.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2015 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by noon on Friday and must respond by noon on Monday, June 22.

Statewide beer

brewery equipment at Rare Form in TroyTwo beer-related things that caught our eye today:

Statewide Pale Ale
Starting this Thursday (June 11) a new beer will be available that's a collaborative effort of a bunch of breweries from around the region and the state. "Statewide Pale Ale" is the work of brewmasters from Shmaltz (it was brewed there), Community Beer Works, Empire Brewing, Lake Placid Brewing, Crossroads, CH Evans, Mad Jack Brewing, Browns, and Rare Form Brewing. Blurbage:

Statewide Pale Ale is a bright and crisp pale ale brewed with all NYS 2-row malt sponsored by Pioneer Malting, Inc., as well as other American malt favorites, hopped with a burst of warrior, simcoe and mosaic and dry hopped with NYS cascade donated by Country Malt Group.

The beer will introduced at the Shmaltz tasting room in Clifton Park on Thursday from 4-6 pm, and then it will be available from the breweries named above, along with "select bars."

The beer is part a fundraiser for the New York State Brewers Association, and part an effort to highlight the growth of brewery business in the state.

So many breweries
Speaking of that growth... This number from the NYS Brewers Association jumped out at us: There were 207 breweries in New York State in 2014 -- up from 95 in 2012.

Guessing the number will be even larger this year probably isn't a bad bet -- the national Brewers Association currently lists 263 breweries either in operation or in some stage of planning in New York State. (As we've noted in the past, that list isn't necessarily up to date.)

The brewery boom in New York and across the country has been driven by the growth craft beer breweries and brew pubs. And the number of breweries in the country is now at a level not seen since the last 19th century, according to numbers compiled by the Brewers Association.

New York State had 181 craft breweries in 2014, according to the Brewers Association -- that's up from 165 in 2013.

Earlier on AOA: Breweries in New York State

A look inside the new Druthers Albany location

Druthers Albany dining area

The new Druthers brewery/restaurant in Albany's Warehouse District opens today. The location -- a renovated plumbing supply building -- is the third for the local company, which first opened in downtown Saratoga Springs in 2012 and also recently opened a location at the McGregor Links Country Club in Wilton.

We got a chance to see the new Albany space Monday -- here are a bunch of photos and a few bits.

(there's more)

The 1780 Beer Challenge

1780 beer challenge logoThis could be fun: The Middleburgh Library, the Albany Ale Project, and Green Wolf Brewing Company are collaborating for an event called "The 1780 Beer Challenge and Revolutionary War Festival" on May 16 in Middleburgh. Event blurbage:

The day's activities include a Revolutionary War encampment, colonial brewing and cooking demonstrations, 18th century toys and games for kids, talks on the history of beer and hops in upstate New York and the Schoharie Valley, a Schoharie Valley hops display at the Library, beer samples from Green Wolf and MacKinnon Brothers, and Green Wolf brewery tours. Middleburgers BBQ and Under the Nose gift shop and bakery will be offering barbeque and baked goods for sale, and Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod will be selling and signing copies of their book Upper Hudson ValleyBeer. The day culminates in "The 1780 Beer Challenge", cask tapping and tasting!
The Albany Ale Project, Green Wolf Brewing Co., and MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. have issued each other a challenge. A beer-infused re-enactment of the 1780 stand off in Middleburgh between New York's Loyalist raiders and the Albany County Militia--this time with hops, grain, and yeast, instead of muskets and cannons!
The Albany Ale Project's Craig Gravina, of Albany, is working with Green Wolf, while his partner--and Kingston, Ontario native--Alan McLeod is working with MacKinnon Brothers [Brewing Co. of Ontario] to create two Revolutionary War-era inspired beers--both made from locally-sourced, traditional late 18th-century ingredients and historical brewing techniques. The beers will be blind judged against each other by WNYT NewsChannel 13's morning anchor Phil Bayly, food and drinks writer Deanna Fox, and Middleburgh Library Director Teresa Pavoldi. The winner receives bragging rights and the official "1780 Beer Challenge Champion" barrelhead. The loser must hoist their opponent's flag in their respective brewery or taproom. There will also be a "People's Choice" vote for best beer.

The 1780 Beer Challenge is from 1-5 pm on Saturday, May 16. It's an all-ages event Tickets are $15 -- that includes beer sampling tickets and a Green Wolf sampler glass. Tickets for non-drinkers are $10. And kids under 15 are free.

And while you're out in Middleburgh, you can make your way up Vroman's Nose.

Earlier on AOA: Resurrecting a beer, and part of Albany's history

Hudson Valley Hops 2015

time for Beverwyck beer ad Albany InstituteThe Hudson Valley Hops event returns to the Albany Institute April 18.

The event will again include regional craft beer and cider tastings, and an opportunity to check out the brewing and distilling items in the museum's collections. Also: Chatham Brewing will be creating an "Albany Institute Ale" exclusively for the event. Blurbage:

While Chatham Brewing has created custom beers for bars and restaurants, this is the first time they are making one for an event. The theme of Hudson Valley Hops inspired them to try to get as close as they can to an all 100% New York State beer. According to [Tom] Crowell, the beer can be described as "a standard ESB [Extra Special/Strong Bitter]" with a nutty sweetness. Albany Institute Ale was made with New York State 2-row pale malt as a base; some Light and Dark Crystal to show off a copper hue and give a slight caramel flavor; and local Columbia County grown hops, including Cascade from Germantown Hop Farm and Nugget from Spring Hill Farm to add a subtle bitterness. Although it is called an extra special bitter, compared to an IPA, this will not be a bitter beer.

There will also be a handful of guest speakers throughout the evening talking about food, brewing, and the history of brewing in this area.

Hudson Valley Hops is Saturday, April 18 from 4-7 pm. Tickets are $35 ahead / $40 at the door.

The Albany Institute advertises on AOA.

"Time for Beverwyck," Beverwyck Breweries, INC. / Albany Institute of History & Art

Beer, beer, beer

NYSBA Craft New York at Desmond 2014

Last year's Craft New York Brewers Festival.

A handful of beer events coming up:

February 21: Saratoga Beer Summit at Saratoga City Center
The annual cap to Saratoga Beer Week. Blurbage: "Sample over 200 releases from some of America's best craft breweries. Plus hang out in an atmosphere filled with live music, delicious food available for purchase and great vendors."
Tickets: $40 ahead / $50 at door

February 28: Snommegang Invitational Beer Festival in Oneonta
Brewery Ommegang partnered with America On Tap Beer Festivals. Blurbage: "In addition to Brewery Ommegang and our six brewing siblings, more than 30 breweries from across the United States will each pour at least two of their best offerings at the event. The beer tasting is accompanied by live music, food and activities - all within heated tents along Muller Plaza and surrounding businesses on Main Street."
Tickets: $50 ahead / $55 day of

March 7: Craft New York Brewers Festival at The Desmond
This is the second year for the event. Blurbage: "The Craft New York Brewers Festival will bring together 40 New York Breweries (and brewers) from every region of the state featuring up to 90+ hard to find and award winning beers. To make this very special event more exclusive, we will feature food sampling and pairing from local Albany restaurants and food vendors to go along with each brewery attending at no extra cost!"
Tickets: $40 ahead / $50 day of / VIP ahead $65 / VIP day of $75 / designated drivers $15

photo: New York State Brewers Association

Beer, grown here

Pump Station Helderberg Hop Farm ILF IPAInteresting: The Albany Pump Station is offering a beer called ILF IPA on tap this week -- the beer was made by C. H. Evans Brewing Company entirely with hops and barely grown at Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont. There's a reception of sorts for the beer this Thursday, December 4 at 5 pm at the Pump Station.

Blurbage:

"This excellent hoppy beer shows what New York State brewers and growers can do when they get together," said Dietrich Gehring, who grew the hops and barley on Indian Ladder Farms, in Altamont, New York. Gehring provided the brewery with 500 pounds of malted barley and 25 pounds of hops, including a local heirloom variety called the Heritage Helderberg Hop, which was discovered growing wild on an old farm in Albany County's Hilltown region and is now being propagated by Gehring. The barley was even malted in New York at Farmhouse Malt in Newark Valley.

Check out Greg Back's tour of The Helderberg Hop Farm from last year over at In The Name of Beer.

There are a lot of interesting culinary and historical threads that intersect here. Among them is the attempt to resurrect crops, such as barley and hops, that once thrived in this area (and the history of which goes way back). You know, it's not like you just throw some seeds in the ground -- there's skill and experience and equipment that goes in growing these products. (You might have heard of the Helderberg Brewshed project at the Carey Institute in Renssealerville -- it's aiming to re-cultivate this sort of knowledge and help develop a regional economy to support it.)

Gehring and his wife, Laura Ten Eyck, are currently working on starting the Indian Ladder Farmstead Brewery and Cidery. In the meantime, the've been working with C.H. Evans and Other Half Brewing Company in Brooklyn.

Earlier on AOA:
+ The history of Albany as seen through beer-colored lenses
+ Resurrecting a beer, and part of Albany's history
+ New York hops

photo via Helderberg Hop Farm FB

A look inside The Shop in Troy

The Shop bar

By Lauren Hittinger

This Friday marks the grand opening for The Shop, a new restaurant and bar in downtown Troy. It's the third commercial space to open at the former site of Trojan Hardware along 4th Street and Congress, following the May opening of Rare Form Brewing Co. and the Collar Works art gallery.

Looking to create a neighborhood bar, owner Kevin Blodgett says The Shop will have a "casual atmosphere, with no pretense. We just want people who are going to enjoy good food and good conversation."

I stopped by to talk to Blodgett and his partner Nada Rifai to get the scoop on the restaurant, the building, and how The Shop fits into Troy.

(there's more)

The history of Albany as seen through beer-colored lenses

upper hudson valley beer cover and craig gravina

Upper Hudson Valley Beer and co-author Craig Gravina

There are many ways to look at the long history of Albany and the surrounding region: politically, economically, architecturally, and so on. Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod have chosen to do so through beer-colored lenses.

The two beer scholars -- you might remember them from the Albany Ale Project -- have teamed up to write Upper Hudson Valley Beer, a book about the rich history of brewing in this region and its resurgence over the last few decades. There's a launch party for the book -- with a beer tasting -- at the Albany Institute on September 11.

We bounced a few questions to Gravina this week about the role of beer in Albany's history, the state of the region's beer scene today, and where it might be headed.

(there's more)

Capital City Brewcycle

brewcycle outside the ruck in troy

The Brewcycle stopped outside The Ruck in Troy.

By Lauren Hittinger

The Capital City Brewcycle, which started operating in Troy this summer, puts a different spin on the pub crawl -- or, to be more accurate, you put the different spin on the pub crawl. Because the trolley-like Brewcycle is powered by the pedaling of 12 of its passengers.

I got a chance to give it a try this past weekend.

(there's more)

Another project bubbling in Albany's warehouse district

897 Broadway

Via Steve Barnes comes word of another bar and brewery planned for Albany's warehouse district, this time in a building next to Wolff's on Broadway -- head over to Table Hopping for the details.

A few quick things:

+ The transformation of the warehouse district neighborhood continues. There's obvious potential there, but also some complications.

+ This bit of news starts to flesh out the story around Albany Brewing Co, which apparently has been in planning for a while. Albany Brewing would be the third brewery/cidery along that stretch, with Nine Pin already there and the Druthers brewery planned for just up Broadway.

+ How big is the market for craft breweries (and bars)? Over at Drink Drank recently, beer writer Craig Gravina (also of the Albany Ale Project) had some thoughts about this topic -- he thinks the beer market is "over-crowded." See also his thoughts earlier this year on "the beer bar saturation point."

Moules Frites at Brewery Ommegang

moules frites ommegang

By Deanna Fox

Ah, summer. What could be more quintessentially American summertime than baseball, beer, and moules frites.

Yep, I said it. Moules. Frites.

Okay, so maybe that's a reach. While baseball and drinking beer are endemic to this country, the fancy title for mussels and French fries is a classic Belgian item.

But there is a place where those three elements -- baseball, beer, and moules frites -- coalesce in harmony, and that's Cooperstown, the site of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the hometown of one of the best examples of Belgian beer and food in America: Brewery Ommegang.

(there's more)

Books on Tap at Shmaltz

Poster for Books on Tap- John Holl copy.jpgCould be fun/tasty: This summer Shmaltz Brewing in Clifton Park is hosting a Books on Tap program, where beer writers offer talks, tastings and, in some cases, food pairings.

The talks are on Sunday afternoons, and the series kicks off this weekend with Shmaltz owner and author Jeremy Cowan moderating a talk by beer journalist John Holl, author of the American Craft Beer Cook Book . Chef Rachel of The Ruck in Troy will prepare recipes from the book, which will be paired with Shmaltz brews. The tasting and pairing is $15.

Future Books on Tap talks/tastings include:

+August 3 - Giancarlo and Sarah Annese, authors of Beer Lovers New York
+August 10 - Ben Keene, author of The Great Northeast Brewery Tour
+August 17 - Tom Acitelli, author of The Audacity of Hops: The History of America's Craft Beer Revolution

(For the sake of disclosure, John Holl is married to Mary's cousin.)

Breweries in New York State

nys brewery map clip 2

A clip from a clickable map of breweries in New York State.

The United States had more than 3,000 active breweries during the month of June, according to figures out from the Brewers Association this week. According to its research, it's the first time the nation has had that many breweries since the 1870s.

New York State has 252 active, or planned, breweries, according to a check today of listings maintained by the Brewers Association. In 2013, BA figures the Empire State had 165 breweries -- up from 75 in 2011. That ranked New York 26th in the nation for breweries per capita. (Vermont was ranked #2.)

We've rolled a map from the Brewers Association list of active and planned brewery projects in New York State -- it's after the jump.

(there's more)

World of Beer opening at Crossgates

world of beer lineupThe chain World of Beer is set to open its new location at Crossgates June 23. The beer restaurant is on the lower level near the movie theater.

That there is a chain of craft beer restaurants with 54 locations is either a sign that the craft beer boom is continuing to roll along -- and/or perhaps that we're rapidly approaching peak craft beer. (And then, what, the craft beer apocalypse? Maybe New York State can fall back on its strategic cider reserves.)

Anyway, this bit about WOB (its term for itself) caught our attention:

In addition to more than 500 craft beers in bottles, World of Beer will offer 56 beers on tap from more than 40 countries. Partnering with thousands of craft breweries allows World of Beer to rotate over 10,000 beer items in its coolers. World of Beer offers patrons the most unique and complex beers from local, domestic and international brewers.

You might have to order a beer while you figure out which beer to order.

Recently on AOA:
+ Rare Form Brewing Co.
+ Stopping in at the Madison Pour House

photo: World of Beer

Rare Form Brewing Company

Rare Form tap room

Rare Form's tap room/brewery space, which was being prepped on Tuesday.

The new Rare Form Brewing Company in Troy is set to open its doors this Friday. The startup craft brewery is the result of a long-running plan by married couple Kevin Mullen and Jenny Kemp, who moved to the Capital Region after stops in Denver and Seattle.

Rare Form's opening also marks the ongoing transformation of its block at Congress St and 4th Street, which over the next few months four new storefronts are planned -- the sort of change that has a lot of people optimistic about the future of Troy.

We stopped by this week to get a look at what's in the works, and talk with some of the people involved.

(there's more)

A year of Shmaltz in Clifton Park

shmaltz brewing composite

What can you do with an English degree?

Well, English-major-turned-craft-brewer Jeremy Cowan founded Shmaltz Brewing Company. But the idea for a beer company came way before college. It was an inside joke between high school friends who were among the few Jewish kids in their San Francisco school and thought Jews needed their own beer brand. So they came up with "He' Brew" and the tag line, "Don't Pass Over Sober."

More than 20 years later that high school joke has turned into an award-winning craft brewery known for both its playful, irreverent beer names such as He'Brew, Rejewvenator, and Hop Manna -- and for experimenting with interesting blends and styles of beer. And last year, Cowan opened a $3.3 million brewery, the brand's first, in Clifton Park.

Clifton Park? It's a question Cowan gets a lot.

(there's more)

Beer writer and beer dinner at The Ruck

beer writer john hollCould be interesting: Beer writer John Holl will be at the Ruck in Troy May 13 for an Allagash beer dinner. Tickets are $50 and available at the bar or via email (see the link).

Holl is the editor of All About Beer Magazine, and the author of the The American Craft Beer Cookbook. He's also lined up for a book signing that same day at Market Block Books in Troy from 4:30-6:30 pm.

His definition of "craft beer"? From an interview last year: "It's an evolving term. It used to mean small (micro brews) but now many are not that small. So, craft is really, to me, about beers that are well made that are about flavor and imagination. A beer that is pleasant to drink, and comes from companies with good philosophies and focus on their product and communities."

The dinner at the Ruck is six courses paired with different Allagash beers. A few example courses: "Grilled Texas Creamed Corn with Seared Diver Scallop paired with Allagash Tripel" and "Smoked Braised Pork Belly with Pear Slaw paired with Allagash Dubbel."

(Oh, and just for the sake of disclosure: He's married to Mary's cousin.)

photo via John Holl's website

TAP NY 2014

TAP NY judgingThe annual TAP NY craft beer festival will be back at Hunter Mountain April 26 and 27. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $73.44 for that Saturday / $60.48 for Sunday / $21.60 for designated drivers.

There are more than 70 breweries registered for this year's festival, 18 of them new to the event. Blurbage:

Many of the invited brewers produce their beer for sale only in their location.... whether it is a restaurant, a brewpub or a small brewery. Others are breweries large enough to distribute on a larger scale, but maintain an excellent quality through their commitment to hands-on, craft-brewing their product. You won't find Anheuser-Busch, Coors, or Miller products here. What you will find are some truly remarkable beers that will tantalize your taste buds... beers that offer a variety of color and flavor that the big brewers don't do. You'll find everything from pale ales and pilseners, to weisbiers, porters, stouts, and scotch ales; from hearty Bohemian and Bavarian-style lagers to glorious Belgian-style ales and much more.

The festival is also a competition for beer brewers in the state.

We get the impression the Saturday session of the festival often sells out, so if you're interested in going, it's probably a good idea to get tickets sooner rather than later.

Hunter Mountain is in the northern Catskills, a little over an hour's drive from Albany.

New breweries: Over at In The Name of Beer, Greg Back has been profiling the breweries that are new to the festival this year.

Earlier on AOA: Trying the "best craft beer in New York State"

photo: TAP NY FB

Planned for Lark Street: Brew

brew albany shop logoThis will pique the curiosity of some people: A new "craft beverage" shop is planned for Lark Street, in the space currently occupied by Fuzz Records at 209 Lark (the intersection of Lark and State). The shop -- called Brew -- is aiming for an early summer open.

The people behind Brew are Fuzz Records owner Joshua Cotrona and business partner August Rosa. From a press release:

Highlights of the shop include a growler fill up station, a make your own six-pack section with a wide selection of bottled beer, a wall of specialty coffees and teas, cold brewed coffee concentrate growlers, and a cooler of ice cold beverages. Drip coffee, cold brewed coffee, and tea will also be available to go by the cup.
Additionally, Brew will sell beer making equipment, supplies, and ingredients for Capital Region home brewers. It's the shop's hope that Brew's product line will inspire customers to make their own concoctions. A detailed product lineup will be made available at www.brewalbany.com as opening day approaches.
The shop plans on bringing quality events to the area including tap takeovers from American craft brewers, coffee cuppings, educational programs and more.

The plan is for Brew to also sell a small selection of records, and Cotrona will continue to sell music through the website for Fuzz.

So what prompted the pair to plan the shop? Rosa told us this morning via email: "The idea came up when we realized the need for a craft beer outlet in the Center Square neighborhood. We decided to expand the offerings to include coffee, teas, and other beverages down the road. Our shop will help residents in downtown Albany skip a trip out to the suburbs for these items."

The store's liquor license is currently pending, according to the SLA website.

This area has had a bubbling craft beverage scene over the last few years -- including producers such as Albany Distilling Co. and Nine Pine Cider Works, as well as an increased focus on high-quality coffee. So maybe this is another piece in that overall picture.

Update: Over at Albany Proper, Patrick talked with the shop's owners at length about their plans.

Hudson Valley Hops 2014

albany institute beverwyck beer tray

A tray from the old Beverwyck Brewery in Albany. It once stood on Ferry Street, not far from where the Central Warehouse stands today.

Could be fun/interesting: The Hudson Valley Hops event returns to the Albany Institute April 12. Blurbage:

This event is a celebration of the strong history of brewing in Albany and today's craft beer industry. Guests can sample the finest local craft beers, hear talks by beer historians and brewery experts, enjoy tasty food, and take home a commemorative glass. There will also be a special exhibition with artifacts that tell the history of brewing in Albany and the capital region. Historic photographs, advertisements, and packaging from local brewers will be on view for this event. ...
Participating breweries include: Adirondack Brewery, Brewery Ommegang, Brown's Brewing Co., Chatham Brewing, C.H. Evans Brewing, Druthers, and Olde Saratoga Brewing Co.
Guest speakers include: Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod from the Albany Ale Project; Dietrich Gehring from Indian Ladder Farms; Roger Savoy from Homebrew Emporium; and Sam Filler from the Craft Beer Initiative at Empire State Development.

Albany has a long, interesting brewing history. So there's definitely a lot hear about. And, you know, there will also be beer.

The event is from 4-7 pm at the museum on April 12. Tickets are $30 each.

Earlier on AOA: Resurrecting a beer, and part of Albany's history

The Albany Institute advertises on AOA.

image: "Beverwyck Brewing Company Serving Tray" from the collection of the Albany Institute of History and Art

Touring Burlington breweries

burlington breweries samples at VPB

Samples at the Vermont Pub and Brewery.

By Lauren Hittinger

Albany has its share of emerging breweries and distilleries, along with pubs serving craft beers, spirits, and ciders. But sometimes you just need a change of scenery.

So I recently took a trip up to Vermont for a day-long brewery tour in the Burlington area...

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Craft New York Beer Fest at The Desmond

ny craft brewers association logoThe New York State Brewers Association has lined up the Craft New York Beer Fest at The Desmond in Colonie March 22 from 5-8 pm. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $40 ahead / $50 at the door / $15 designated drivers. The event is 21 and over.

Event blurbage:

The Craft New York Beer Fest will bring together 30+ New York Breweries from across the state featuring up to 60+ hard to find and award winning beers. To make this very special event more exclusive, the NYSBA has partnered with Taste NY to bring together a network of locally owned businesses to supply food sampling and pairing to go along with each brewery attending.

This Desmond event is the second in a series of beer festivals organized by the brewers association. The first was in Syracuse last November. Here's a recap. [Syracuse Guru]

It seems likes there's a beer festival every month now. The thing that caught our eye about this one is that it's focused on New York State craft breweries and maybe offers the opportunity to check out some breweries that might worth a visit or side trip sometime.

Stopping in at the Madison Pour House

Madison Pour House exterior

The new Madison Pour House opened this week after a long renovation of its space in the commercial strip where Madison Ave and Western Ave converge in uptown Albany. The craft beer bar is offering a rotating selection of 40 beers on tap, along with two casks and a selection of 60 bottles it's aiming to grow to 100, and a handful of pub snacks.

As many of you know, the Pour House is in the spot formerly occupied by the Albany location of Mahar's, a longtime favorite of beer enthusiasts, known for some of its idiosyncratic ways. When word spread early last year that the building had been sold to a group already operating three other restaurants on the block, and that Mahar's would be closing, it ruffled a few feathers. Mahar's had some passionate fans.

So we stopped into the Madison Pour House this week to get a look at the rebuilt space, and talk for a few minutes with one of the owners about their plans for the new place, and winning over fans of the former spot.

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Brewery planned for North Albany warehouse district

The building for the planned Druthers brewery facility/tasting room/restaurant.

Another interesting potential development in North Albany's warehouse district: Druthers Brewing Company -- which already has a brew pub in downtown Saratoga Springs -- has been granted a zoning variance in order to open a production facility and tasting room/restaurant in a building at the corner of Broadway and Bridge Street. (A tip of the hat to Steve Barnes for picking this development out of the BZA agenda.)

Druthers partner and brewmaster George de Piro posted about the plan at the TU's Beer Nut blog:

Our current location on Broadway in Saratoga Springs has been doing pretty well and we really want to get our beer to a wider audience. The 10 BBL (barrel) brewing system there can barely handle demand, so to sell more beer we need to build another brewery. I live in Albany and want to do more to help revitalize our downtown (I am proud of the work I did helping the Pump Station to succeed and all that did for Albany). I also miss brewing with Albany water. It's really awesome! Thus, the decision was made to open Druthers II in New York's capital.

De Piro's post includes a projected start date for brewing of June 2014, "if everything goes perfectly."

The building currently serves as space for a plumbing supply company, and its zoning doesn't allow for restaurant use, thus the need for a variance. (The BZA application is after the jump.) It includes a project narrative and pics. From the narrative:

The brewing area of the Building will be equipped with a 30BBL brewing system that is capable of producing an estimated 15,000 kegs annual, a canning line capable of canning 30 beers per minute, 1,500 square feet of cooler space, and commercial keg washing/filling equipment. The tasting area will feature a bar, restaurant style seating, and offer wood-fired pizza. It is expected that the hours of operation for the brewery/tasting room would be daily from 12pm to 10:00pm.

The statement also lists the total cost of the project as $2.2 million.

The warehouse district along Broadway is shaping up to be an interesting area for the city.

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Raising a farm brewery incubator in Rensselaerville

carey center barnThe craft beer/spirits industry is booming, and there's a been a lot of attention over the last few years in New York State on "farm" breweries, distilleries, wineries, and (most recently) cideries. The state has passed legislation that makes it easier/cheaper for these small scale operations -- if they use a specified amount of agricultural products from New York. The goal is to help foster an end-to-end industry in the state: crops are grown here, products are made here, and they're sold here.

But that means getting a lot of different people -- farmers, brewers, economic development orgs -- moving in the same direction. Toward that goal, the Carey Center for Global Good in Rensselaerville is starting a "farm brewery incubator." Blurbage:

For the past year, the Carey Institute has been working to start a model farmstead brewery in Rensselaerville. The aim of the project is to create a new economic development and social networking hub, bringing farmers, brewers and the Capital Region community together.
The Carey Institute has partnered with CSArch, an Albany architecture firm, to reconstruct a 1760's New World Dutch barn donated by Randolph J. Collins from the town of Guilderland. This icon of local history will be erected on our campus and adapted to house New York State's first farm-to-glass classroom and farm brewery incubator. Here, we will provide start-up brewing space and educational opportunities to emerging farm brewery enterprises, cultivating economic opportunities for farmers and brewers in New York State's budding farm-to-glass industry.

The Carey Center has a kickoff fundraising event for the project lined up for November 16, from 5-6:30 pm.

So why does this sort of project matter? Over at Drink Drank, Craig Gravina -- you know, from the Albany Ale Project -- explained recently. Here's a clip:

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Tapping a cask of Albany Ale

craig gravin and ryan demler at pump station

Craig Gravina and the CH Evans' Ryan Demler working on the Albany Ale at the Pump Station this past September.

A quick update on the Albany Ale Project: The first cask of resurrected beer will be tapped at an event at the Albany Institute of History and Art November 2. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $15, and must be purchased in advance.

The Albany Ale Project is an effort by beer writers Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod to explore and highlight the history of beer brewing in Albany. It turns out the the city has a rich tradition -- "Albany Ale" was once known far and wide -- but it's faded from memory since the early part of the 20th century.

One of the ways the Albany Ale Project is attempting to bring it back: re-creating old beers. They've teamed up with CH Evans Brewing at the Albany Pump Station to brew resurrected version of beers from Albany's history. The beer that will be released at the Albany Institute event is the first in the series -- it was made from a 1901 recipe for Amsdell's Albany XX Ale. It will probably be the first "Albany Ale" produced in a century.

The event at the Albany Institute starts at 5 pm on November 2. It includes both food and beer. And it's capped at 150 people.

Earlier on AOA: Resurrecting a beer, and part of Albany's history

Resurrecting a beer, and part of Albany's history

ryan demler adding invert sugar to a tank

It turns out that resurrecting a beer that hasn't been brewed in a century is a sticky business.

Tuesday afternoon, Ryan Demler -- the brewer for C.H. Evans Brewing in Albany -- was perched atop brewing equipment trying to scrape a caramel-like form of sugar into a tank. It wasn't going well. "It's like alien goo."

The sugar -- the technical term for it is "invert sugar" -- is part of a 1901 recipe for one of the last versions of the the once-famous Albany Ale, which at one point was known around the world. Its re-creation is part of the Albany Ale Project, which is aimed at not just bringing some old beers back from the dead -- but also collecting and highlighting a key part of the city's history.

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Recreating Albany Ale

taylor and sons albany ale

Beer writers/historians Craig Gravina and Alan McLeod have launched website for the the Albany Ale Project. Blurbage:

Growing since 2010, this international research endeavor has been dubbed the Albany Ale Project, and is focused on bringing the history and stories of an industry that helped to build the capital city of New York to light. Although Albany Ale no longer exists, the research being done by the Albany Ale Project is increasing interest in the oft-forgotten history of Albany's brewing past - and the Ale that accompanied it.

The project's website includes material on the long history of brewing in Albany.

But get this -- part of the project is to recreate some of the beers of Albany's past. To do that, they say they're collaborating with the C.H. Evans Brewing Company at the Pump Station and The Homebrew Emporium:

The first beer to be re-created is a 1901 recipe for Albany XX Ale, originally made by the Amsdell Brewing and Malting Company--the last brewery to make something called "Albany Ale". The basis for this recreation is from an Amsdell brew log held in the collections of the Albany Institute of History & Art.

Here's the recreated beer's description: "Amber hued, C.H. Evans' version of Amdell's 1901 Albany XX Ale, is a slightly sweet XX ale brewed with 100% New York grown 6-row pale and black malt, and corn grits. Brewery-made dark invert and corn sugar are also used, bringing the 1901's ABV to 5.3%; and New York grown heritage hops give it a mildly hoppy finish, at 23 IBUs."

We hear from Gravina that they're aiming for an early November release for the recreated beer (with more details closer to the release date).

image from the Albany Institute of History and Art's collection, via the Albany Ale Project

Excelsior Pub closing -- for now

excelsior pub taps smallThe Excelsior Pub in Albany -- which focused on New York beers and wines -- is closing tonight (August 23). Steve has some of the details over at Tablehopping.

The pub is currently attached to Cafe 217 on Delaware Ave near Lark, an arrangement that apparently has come to an end. But it sounds like owner Jason Bowers is looking for a new space. From an email he sent to "pub club" members earlier this week:

Temporarily is the word to focus on. As some of you know I have been looking into adding a second location for some time now. This is still my intention. My goal is still the same but there are now some added steps and new ideas to take into consideration with this new development. I do ask for your patience and understanding in the coming time. I will do my best to keep you informed of all things EPC, and look forward to serving you again soon.

In the meantime, people are going to miss the Excelsior. As Colleen, a self-described regular, said to us in an email today: "Seriously, the guy loved his bar and his customers. He chose his taps as carefully as a museum curated builds a collection. He traversed the state to pull the beers no one would have thought to try."

Hopefully some new situation will be worked out. The concept behind the pub was a good one, and it highlighted and supported the growing beer and spirits scene in the state.

(Thanks, Lauren and Colleen)

Earlier on AOA: The Excelsior Pub: exclusively New York

Speaking of the beer scene: Greg Back is trying to start up a Capital Region brewery trail

The beers that shaped New York's beer scene

Thumbnail image for albany institute beverwyck beer trayOver at Drink Drank, beer historian Craig Gravina lists "the seven beers that -- in my humble opinion -- shaped the New York beer scene." Here's a clip from one of his selections:

1. Schaefer Beer - Schaefer is not brewed in New York--but it was for 139 years, so let's just overlook that first bit. What can you say about Schaefer? It's a classic. It's been made since 1842. It survived prohibition, set the standard for the Bushwick Pilsner, became the official beer of the Brooklyn Dodgers, out-sold Budweiser in the late 1950s, and during the 1960s it sponsored a series of concerts in Central Park, featuring a few acts you may have heard of--The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Doors and the Beach Boys. Stroh's bought it in '81, and Pabst has steered the ship since '99. Oh, and that's right Schaefer was also an Albany hometown brew until the 1970s. It's brewery in Brooklyn exceeded capacity and they bought Beverwyck Brewery in 1950.

Gravina will be at the University Club in Albany this evening (Tuesday) for a talk titled "Hops and History: Albany's Brewing Tradition." There will also be a tasting of the "Magnificent Seven" that he lists in that post linked above. The event is from 5:30-7:30 pm.

The talk and tasting is $20. Call 518-463-1151 or online to register.

image: "Beverwyck Brewing Company Serving Tray" from the collection of the Albany Institute of History and Art

Drawing: Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival

capital region craft brewers festival logo 2013Drawing's closed!

The annual Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival returns to The Joe this weekend, and we've got a pair of "Grand Slam" passes to give away. The passes include: admission, souvenir sampling glass, 10 tasting tickets, a t-shirt, admission to the VIP area with a catered buffet, and a ticket to a future Tri-City ValleyCats baseball game.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

Baseball and beer are a classic summer pairing. What's your favorite summer pairing?

The answer could be anything, but you'll earn 100% non-redeemable and completely imagined gold stars for local answers. We'll draw one winner at random.

The Capital Region Craft Brewer's Festival is this Saturday, July 27 from 2:30-6:30 pm. It brings together more than 25 brewers from the Capital Region and beyond, including Brown's, Crossroads Brewing, The Beer Diviner, Brooklyn Brewing, Shmaltz Brewing Company, and Long Trail Brewing. There will also be food, music, and brewing demonstrations.

Tickets for the festival start at $25 ($32 at the gate) and include 10 tasting tickets, a sampling glass, and a ValleyCats ticket. (The "Grand Slam" passes are $40 ahead, $47 at gate.) Proceeds from the event benefit the New York-Penn League Charitable Foundation, which helps maintains youth baseball fields around the area.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 5 pm on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must be 21 to enter. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by midnight Tuesday and must respond by noon on Wednesday, July 24.

Drawing: Barrel-aged Beer Festival at City Beer Hall

city beer hall exterior

Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!

The City Beer Hall has a barrel-aged beer event lined up for this Saturday. We have a pair of tickets and we're giving them away.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

What your favorite thing to drink when it's hot?

The answer could be anything, but non-redeemable bonus points for specific and/or local answers. We'll draw one winner at random.

The Barrel-aged Beer Festival is this Saturday, July 20 at the City Beer Hall starting at 1 pm. Here's a list of the some the beers that will be featured. Tickets are available online ahead -- they're $40, and include 12 beer samples and a food ticket.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 10 pm on Thursday, July 18, 2013 to be entered in the drawing. You must be 21 to enter, as this is a 21-and-over event. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by midnight Thursday and must respond by noon on Friday, July 19.

CBH advertises on AOA.

The short version of the long history of local beer

albany institute beverwyck beer trayInteresting: Over at DrinkDrank, Craig distills the centuries-long history of beer brewing in Albany to a quick-read 1,500 words. A clip:

[John] Taylor -- initially partnered with his brother-in-law -- opened his first brewery in the early 1820s. A savvy businessman, Taylor saw the opportunity to exploit New York's new water highway [the Erie Canal]. He could import grain and hops from the western part of the state and use the same waterway to export beer west and south down the Hudson. By the 1850s Taylor had built a new brewery in Albany--the largest in the country and was producing a flagship double strength of 'XX' ale, that he dubbed "Imperial Albany XX Ale". Albany's access to the Hudson River and position at the terminus of the Erie Canal afforded it a monopoly on the distribution on beer. Albany Ale could be exported west on the Canal to Buffalo and be in Chicago in ten days later. From there it could be in New Orleans within a week or California shortly there after. It could also be sent south down the Hudson to the port of New York and be anywhere in the world within a matter of weeks.

There's lot packed into this history -- the Dutch, the British army, hops, the Erie Canal, the emergence of lager, Prohibition, craft brewing. It's worth a read if you're interested in local history or beer (or, you know, both).

Elsewhere: Akum recalled when Albany Ale ruled the nation.

image: "Beverwyck Brewing Company Serving Tray" from the collection of the Albany Institute of History and Art

Ommegang Take the Black Stout

ommegang take the black stoutBrewery Ommegang in Cooperstown has announced the next of its Game of Thrones-themed beers: Take the Black Stout.

According to Zap2It, "Take the Black Stout was brewed with star anise and licorice root. It is slated to appear in stores and bars nationwide in Fall 2013." It also reports that Ommegang will be be doubling the production run of Take the Black because of the success of its first Thrones beer, Iron Throne Blonde. (Apparently Zap2It had an "exclusive" on this.)

Hop Chef Albany
Also Ommegang-related: The brewery is bringing its multi-city "Hop Chef" series back to Albany on July 12. Blurbage:

An outstanding line-up of Capitol Region chefs will each create one dish showcasing their imaginative beer and food pairing skills. The dishes, all paired with Ommegang ales, will be served to a panel of judges, and to all attendees, to taste and score.

The event is at the Hilton Albany (which was the Hotel Albany, which was the Crowne Plaza). Tickets are $55. A portion of the proceeds will benefit SALT.

Earlier on AOA: Trying Ommegang's new Iron Throne Blonde, and toasting the King of the North

photo: Brewery Ommegang

Trying the "best craft beer in New York State"

peekskill brewery higher standard ipa

By Casey Normile

Have you ever tried a beer and thought to yourself: "This is the best beer around."

Well, this year at TAP NY, they made it official. For the first time, the New York beer festival awarded the Governors' Cup to a brewery for best craft beer in New York State.

The winner: the Peekskill Brewery in Peekskill, for its Higher Standard IPA.

So I obviously had to try the best beer in the state... you know, for journalism.

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Breweries, wineries, and distilleries of New York

Today's map: The breweries, wineries, and distilleries of New York State.

We created this map based on data recently posted by the state. It includes big breweries and distillers, but also microbreweries, farm wineries, and cider producers. Check it out in large format -- where there's also a legend for the map.

To some extent, this is just sort of map gawkage. But it does highlight certain patterns...

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Beer Diviner Kickstarter

Quick follow up on the Beer Diviner, the "nano-brewery" in Rensselaer County: Founder Jonathan Post has started a Kickstarter campaign to expand beyond his "out in the sticks" property to open a new tasting room and retail outlet in Stephentown. Blurbage:

In order to get the outlet up and running, increase beer production and hire someone, the outlet will need start-up money for inventory, furniture and renovation. We want to make this a comfortable, community oriented space, where you can taste New York State beer, wine and liquor, try different foods, bring your laptop and get free wifi, hang out at tables inside and outside, play ping pong, foosball and darts. We plan on decorating with pictures and descriptions about the history of beer and how The Beer Diviner got its start in an indigenous village in West Africa.

Post has set a $12,000 goal -- the funding deadline is June 27.

Award: The Beer Diviner's Got Your Back Stout took 3rd place in the "Best Individual Craft Beers in the Hudson Valley" category at the recent TAP NY event. (Beers from Olde Saratoga took the top two spots.)

Earlier on AOA: Casey visited the Beer Diviner brewery in April

The Beer Diviner

beer diviner composite

By Casey Normile

For a decade, Jonathan Post -- who has a Ph.D. in English -- worked at colleges and universities around the area. But when a program he was connected to at UAlbany ended, he decided, "Fine, if I can't be a doctor of English, I'll be a doctor of beer."

So last April, he started The Beer Diviner. He now brews from his nano-brewery in Cherry Plain -- about an hour east of Albany in Renssealer County, out past Averill Park.

But Post's journey as a brewer took an important step a bit farther away than that: in a small village in Burkina Faso.

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Trying Ommegang's new Iron Throne Blonde, and toasting the King of the North

ommegang game of thrones dinner composite

By Danielle Sanzone

Beer geekdom went to a whole new level with the recent release of Brewery Ommegang's Iron Throne Blonde Ale, which is inspired by the HBO show Game of Thrones.

And how does a brewery celebrate the release of such a beer? With a dinner this past Friday at its Cooperstown cafe pairing wild game dishes with beer, fur-clad diners, and toasts to the King of the North.

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The beer you wish you could get here -- but can't

hoosick street beverage west coast beers

Some of the West Coast beers at Hoosick Street Beverage.

By Jeff Janssens

There's no question that beer lovers of the Capital Region are blessed these days. It's easy to find good beer at a number of bars in the area, there are a handful of beer stores with great selections, and you can even fill a growler at some area supermarkets now.

"[The beer scene] is huge now," says Mike Smith of Hoosick Street Beverage Center in Troy. "You see it here through the RPI kids. On Friday nights, we used to sells kegs of Keystone. Now they're all buying the good stuff."

That doesn't mean we have access to all the good beer, though. Craft brewing is, by definition, done on a small scale. And because of limited supply and distribution, there are some beers that are either hard to find here -- or just not available.

So I stopped by Hoosick recently to talk with Mike Smith about some of the "holy grails" of beer they'd like to be able to get, but can't -- and some good, locally-available substitutes.

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Stopping by Butternuts Beer and Ale

butternuts brewery exterior

By Casey Normile

Twenty miles outside of Cooperstown, in a hamlet called Garrattsville, there's a brewery housed in an old dairy barn. It doesn't even really look open when you drive up to it.

But despite its humble dwellings, Butternuts Beer and Ale is sending out beer to fourteen states around the country.

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Game of Thrones beer dinner at Ommegang

ommegang game of thrones bottleBrewery Ommegang is releasing its new Game of Thrones-inspired ale with a wild game dinner March 15 at the brewery in Cooperstown. Blurbage:

Chef Dimitrios Menagias of City Beer Hall in Albany will be hosting a decadent night of beer and food pairing, Friday, March 15th. This will be the first time the Ommegang Iron Throne ale will be released. To celebrate the release, guests will be transported to a culinary King's Landing through a serious of masterfully paired dishes fit for any Lannister, Stark or Tully.
Tickets for the dinner include a decadent 5-course dinner with matching beers to pair and the first bottles of the limited edition Game of Thrones Iron Throne ale to be released from the brewery. To compliment the Iron Throne ale, guests will also receive a commemorative Game of Thrones glass.

Tickets are $100, and are available ahead by calling (607) 286-4090 (Ommegang says it's expecting the event to sell out). The dinner starts with a beer tasting at 7 pm, and seating at 7:30 pm. "This is a strictly 21+ event."

Earlier on AOA: Ommegang making a Game of Thrones beer

image: Brewery Ommegang

Ravens Head: Cohoes Armory is a done deal

The Cohoes Armory, via Google Street View.

The Ravens Head Brewing Company's selection of the Cohoes Armory for its start-up brewery/restaurant is a done deal, Ravens Head co-owner Brennon Cleary says. The company's offer on the building was accepted Monday, and the closing is expected March 15.

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Ravens Head Brewing focusing on Cohoes Armory


View Larger Map

Ravens Head Brewing -- the startup brewing company/brewpup that had been hoping to set up at St. Joseph's in Albany -- has put in an offer on the Cohoes Armory, the Business Review reports.

The news isn't a surprise. Ravens Head's application for a zoning variance for St. Joe's had prompted strong concerns from some residents of the Ten Broeck Triangle neighborhood. And co-owner Brennon Cleary had told AOA earlier this month that the group behind the brewery project regarded the former church as "already dead", in part because the cost of acquiring parking for the site was pushing the total price tag of the already-$3 million project too high. The Cohoes Armory was on their list of new target properties.

Cleary told the Biz Review that they're still working out details for the armory, but they're "very confident" about the property.

The Cohoes Armory is currently listed for $239,000 by Trinity Realty Group, and includes 22,000 square feet with "[an] apartment, offices, storage/production areas, storage loft, loading dock, and room for trailer access." A Craigslist item for property mentions "ample parking." The building appears to be in an area zoned for mixed-use that allows for restaurants and bars (p. 58). (St. Joseph's is in an area zoned for residential, thus the need for a zoning variance -- on which the Albany BZA has not ruled.) Update: Cohoes' director of community and economic development tells the TU the project fits with its plan for the neighborhood and it can fit under existing zoning.

The armory dates back to 1893. Its architect was Isaac Perry, who not only designed a handful of armories around the state, but also supervised a phase of the state capitol construction.

Earlier and elsewhere:
+ Ravens Head Brewing considering alternatives to St. Joseph's
+ TU: Church pub called a foul brew
+ TU: Council opposes church pub plan
+ Analysis from local brewer George de Piro
+ Is St. Joseph's Church a brewery in its next life?

Ravens Head Brewing considering alternatives to St. Joseph's

st josephs albany exterior

Ravens Head Brewing has yet to hear whether the Albany BZA will approve a required variance for its proposed brewery/restaurant at St. Joseph's, but Ravens Head co-owner Brennon Cleary says they're preparing to move on.

Cleary says in his mind, and in the minds of his investors, the project at St. Joe's is "already dead," but they're going to ride out the process.

"I'm not willing to say I'm done," says Cleary, "but I'm not very optimistic."

And that outlook has Cleary and his partners looking at other options.

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Adirondack Pub and Brewery

adirondack pub and brewery exterior

By Casey Normile

It's off-season in Lake George. That means no kayaks, no swimming, no souvenir shopping, and no tourists. As you drive down Canada Street, most of the buildings are dark with signs in the window reading "Closed for the Season!"

But there is still beer.

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Mahar's bumped from its Albany location

mahar's exterior

Mahar's -- a longtime favorite of beer enthusiasts in Albany -- is getting bumped from its uptown Albany location. BM&T Managment -- which owns Cafe Madison, The Point, and Junior's all in that same strip -- has bought the building and is planning its own bar there: The Madison Pour House. The sale of the building closed last Friday, as the Times Union reported this week.

Mahar's owner Jim Mahar tells us via email that they were "blindsided" by the sale of the building. That TU article linked above details some of the back-and-forth over the real estate deal.

There appears to have been a significant communication breakdown because Mahar says he and his wife were working under the impression they were headed for a new lease with the building's former owner, along with improvements. But BM&T sent a letter last fall -- dated September 20, 2012 -- to the city of Albany indicating its intent to file for a liquor license for the Mahar's location (letter is post jump). That license is now pending.

"Obviously we are scrambling to see about another location and [see] what the future holds," Mahar tells us.

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Ommegang making a Game of Thrones beer

game of thronesBrewery Ommegang says it's partnering with HBO to create a series of Game of Thrones beers. From the blurbage:

Iron Throne Blonde Ale is the inaugural beer in the series. The result of a creative collaboration between Brewmaster Phil Leinhart and HBO, the new Iron Throne Blonde Ale will launch nationwide timed to the show's third season debut this spring on March 31.
The collaboration between Ommegang and HBO is focused on developing unique beers that directly tie into themes, characters and nuances of the medieval-like fantasy realm of Westeros and the surrounding kingdoms, where the competition to sit on the Iron Throne is fierce and deadly.

Ommegang says Iron Throne Blonde Ale will be available on draft and in bottles. Apparently the partnership includes the potential for three other beers, each to be released with a new season of the show. [NYT]

We can't decide if this is fun and kind of goofy, or sounds like the sort of drink Fonzi might enjoy after waterskiing. It might be both.

Update: There's an image of the bottle post jump.

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The Excelsior Pub: exclusively New York

Excelsior Pub: Empire State beer, wine and spirits.

By Casey Normile

Jason Bowers spent years tending bar at Capital District pubs known for their beer selections -- places like The Lionheart Pub and The Van Dyck. And the longer he tended bar, the more he noticed something about his customers' ordering habits: New York brews like Brooklyn Brown were being ordered as often as big-name imports like England's Newcastle Brown.

The popularity of New York beers led him to start The Excelsior Pub, a recently opened pub attached to Cafe 217 in Albany that offers only New York beers and wines, and a host of New York spirits.

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Trying the Growler Station at Price Chopper

growler station price chopper slingerlands

Tucked between the rotisserie and the deli.

By Casey Normile

With a new ShopRite right across the street, the Slingerlands Price Chopper has upped its game. Among the upgrades at the remodeled store: a Growler Station Express.

It's pretty much what it sounds like -- a counter in the prepared foods section for getting growlers filled with craft beer. And it's the Chopper's first test of the concept.

So how does it work?

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Pumpkin (fill in the blank) season has begun

pumpkin food composite

By Casey Normile

It's everybody's favorite season!

No, not fall -- pumpkin season.

It seems that as soon as the air gets a chill, we begin to see pumpkin everything -- breads, pies, soups, ice creams, beer. You can't toss a gourd without hitting something made with pumpkin. So, what to try first?

Here are some favorites to maximize your pumpkin enjoyment this fall.

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Scythe & Sickle

ommegang scythe and sickleOmmegang has released its first seasonal fall (er, "harvest season") beer: Scythe and Sickle. And apparently it's pretty good.

From a review by Bret Setka at The L Magazine:

It's a nice beer to look at with its hazy copper tone. The amber ale has a malty aroma and a hint of toasty hard candy sweetness like you find in Oktoberfest beer--just the right amount of Werther's Original. But where Oktoberfests stop, Sycthe and Sickle keeps going. Brewed from barley, oats, wheat and rye--all traditionally grown in Upstate New York--it has an added spicy complexity and a bit of creamy smoothness from the wheat. Hops are noticeable but reserved and contribute to the beer's perfect balance.

Here's the Beer Advocate profile for Scythe & Sickle (score: 85). And Paste recently rated it #5 out 16 fall beers in a taste test (#2 was Southern Tier Harvest).

Has anyone spotted this in the wild in the Capital Region -- or, even better, tried it?

photo: Brewery Ommegang

New York hops

Hops

Little flower, big taste.

By Casey Normile

Beer enthusiasts showed up Brown's in Troy last week for the release of the brewery's annual fall Harvest IPA brew. What's so special about this brew? Well, for one thing, the hops used in the beer were grown right here in New York.

Brown's is part of a growing movement to restore New York to what it once was -- one of the country's leading hop producers.

(there's more)

Crossroads Brewing Company

crossroads brewing company composite

By Casey Normile

Ken Landin never meant to put his brewery in Athens.

The owner of Crossroads Brewing Company looked at about 100 other locations before he ever thought of what now seems obvious -- the town where he'd been vacationing for over 20 years.

The Greene County brewery is now producing some high quality brews, and it's creating an interest in Athens as a destination for beer-loving tourists.

Is it a little out of the way? Sure. But for beer lovers, it's worth the trip.

(there's more)

Road Trip: Great Barrington

great barrington composite

A day in Great Barrington.

By Casey Normile

Road trips are pretty high on the list of fun things to do with a fall day in the Capital Region. A scenic drive on an autumn weekend can take you to mountains, lakes, wineries, cities, and small towns in time to explore, enjoy and be home in time to sleep in your own bed.

Great Barrington, Massachusetts is one of those places.

Lesson number one: Barrington and Great Barrington are not the same place. This may seem as obvious to you as it did to me, but for some reason every time I told someone from the Capital Region that I was going to Great Barrington, they said things like "have a good time in Vermont."

This quaint little Massachusetts town is a pretty common destination for people fleeing NYC or Boston for the weekend. The shops are eclectic, the food is interesting, there's plenty of nature -- and good beer.

(there's more)

Passes to the Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival at Joe Bruno Stadium

capital region craft brewers festival 2012Beer + food + summer = awesome.

And this Saturday they converge at the Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival. The Tri-City ValleyCats are hosting the festival again this year at The Joe, and we have a pair of "grand slam passes" to give away. Each pass gets you admission, a souvenir sampling glass, 10 tasting tickets, a commemorative t-shirt, admission to a VIP area with a catered buffet, and a ticket to a future ValleyCats game.

To enter the drawing, please answer the following question in the comments:

Before summer rounds third and heads home, what's one thing you want to make sure you do?

We'll draw one winner at random. The deadline to enter is Thursday, July 26 at 11 pm.

Important: One entry per person. You must answer the question to be eligible. You must submit your comment by 11 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012. You must include a working email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 10 am on Friday, July 27 -- and must respond by 5 pm Friday, July 27.

Why Ommegang became a concert destination

cake concert at ommegang Skyla Pojednic

Cake performing at Ommegang earlier this year. / photo: Skyla Pojednic - photoset

By Casey Normile

When the band Cake showed up for their concert at Brewery Ommegang earlier this summer, their first question was: "Where's the ping-pong table?"

And that question helps explain how Cooperstown, better known for baseball, has become a destination for big music shows this summer, including Wilco this week -- and Bon Iver in September.

(there's more)

Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival

capital region craft brewers festival 2012Could be fun: the third annual Capital Region Craft Brewers Festival is this Saturday (July 28) at Joe Bruno Stadium. Thirty craft brewers from around the Northeast will be there offering samples.

Tickets for the festival start at $25 (presale) and include 10 tasting tickets, a souvenir glass, and a ticket to a future ValleyCats game (they're on the road this weekend). Other ticket levels include food and VIP whatnot. There's also a $10 designated driver ticket.

The festival is from 2:30-6:30 pm, rain or shine.

Destination: beer

brewery visiting composite

By Jesse Drury

Beer enthusiasts will travel a bit to drink at a bar and restaurant, but the most gonzo beer appreciators like to travel to the source. A visit to the TAP New York festival this past April was a reminder of how easy that is to do if you live in the Capital Region.

One downside to beer festivals is that an hour into the tastings most palates are ruined, and the rest of the evening is spent coping without peripheral vision as you polka dance with strangers and speak/scream drink orders. In contrast, brewery tours allow you to taste beer, pair it with food, and learn something about its production.

After the jump, some tips on brewery tastings and a list of some local favorites with details on what to taste, when to visit, and some side excursions to turn a brewery visit into a day trip...

(there's more)

The Bier Abbey

bier abbey exterior closeup

Beer, with church pews.

By Casey Normile

After more than a year of buzz, The Bier Abbey in Schenectady quietly opened its doors to the beer geeks on that side of the Capital Region.

His first time in business, owner George Collentine says he wanted to open the Bier Abbey "out of pure passion." He first ventured into the world of craft beer in the early 90s and was encouraged to open his own bar by the growing interest in microbreweries and craft beers, especially in the Northeast.

"We want to lean toward beer geeks and there are no places in Schenectady that really cater to them," he explained.

So what will beer geeks find there?

(there's more)

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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