BROOKLYN, NY—Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recognized F.X. Matt Brewing Company Chairman and CEO Nick Matt for his leadership in growing the craft beer industry at a special Oktoberfest Celebration, Thursday, Oct. 3 at Brooklyn Brewery. Nick was awarded the “Pioneer in Industry Award.” This is the first award of its kind given by the Governor.

The F.X. Matt Brewing Co., brewers of Saranac beer, was founded in 1888 in Utica, N.Y. Today, under the leadership of Nick and Fred Matt – the third and fourth generations of the Matt family – the brewery is celebrating 125 years of brewing.

“We appreciate that our role, not only as a craft brewer but also as a brewer helping others, has been recognized by the Governor,” said Nick Matt. “We’re gratified to have received an award honoring our historical importance to growing craft beer in New York State.”

The Governor’s office invited more than 20 craft breweries from across the state to showcase their Autumnal offerings at this private event. The goal of Thursday’s celebration was to educate and engage buyers from the hospitality and tourism industries on the quality, diversity and accessibility of New York State craft beer.

The F.X. Matt Brewery has long worked to support the New York State economy by partnering with other State-based companies, supporting local agriculture, giving back to local charities, and sourcing local ingredients whenever possible. The company is pleased that Governor Cuomo is taking an active role in trying to develop the craft beer business in the State. At the Governor’s Wine, Beer & Spirits Summit last October, Nick was very vocal about the lack of support for NYS Beers at the State Fair. At this year’s fair, as a result of Nick calling attention to this issue, several venues were created to highlight New York State products and several incentives were put into place. This helped increased F.X. Matt sales at the fair by 50 percent.

“New York State has so many wonderful, home-grown products,” Nick said. “We were very pleased to see the Governor’s office strongly advocate for the enhanced promotion of New York State products at the fair.”

Saranac continues to showcase the superior offerings NY has to offer, whenever possible. They currently offer two brews that feature New York State-sourced ingredients, Tramonay Vineyard Saison and Farm to Tap – Fresh Hop IPA.

Tramonay Vineyard Saison is the first in the recently re-staged High Peaks series. This unique brew features a full-flavored grape hybrid from Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, highlighted by three distinctive hops (hallertau blanc, madarina bavaria, and huell melon), bred at the Hop Research Institute in Hull, Germany.

Farm to Tap – Fresh Hop IPA is a true testament to supporting local. This beer uses fresh heirloom hops picked by Saranac fans at local Wrobel Farms to boast an excellent aroma with a dry, citrusy taste and fresh leafy greenness brought on by the unique fresh-hop brewing process.

For more information, hit the F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac up on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Saranac) or Twitter (@SaranacBrewery). Better yet, show us some love on Instagram (@SaranacBrewery).

The F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, N.Y. was founded in 1888. Today, under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt family, the brewery is celebrating 125 years of brewing. The company has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most respected brewers of specialty beers, including their line of premium Saranac craft beers. In each bottle of Saranac, you’ll find a commitment to quality, the finest ingredients and patient attention to detail – the signature of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.

What do you get when you cross the experience of a 125-year-old brewery with a drive to revolutionize the beer industry? Nothing short of 11 fantastic entries into the country’s largest and most-anticipated beer festival and competition.

With innovation brewed into each of F.X. Matt Brewing Company’s entries into the 2013 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), October 10-12 in Denver, Colo., everyone at the brewery is excited about their shot at a medal.

“Some may think it’s hard to stay fresh and relevant for a company that has been participating since the festival’s start in 1982,” said company President Fred Matt. “But we’ve been scheming up some pretty outstanding recipes in our new pilot brewery, and I think we’ve got more than a few knockout entries this year.”

So Fresh, So New
F.X. Matt Brewing Co. has pulled out all the stops to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year. That includes feverishly testing and developing new and innovative recipes.

Even Saranac staples – such as Pale Ale, which was entered into competition Category 47: Classic English Style Pale Ale – are getting a fresh new spin. Saranac brewers updated this flagship beer by using their new “Hop Infusion Process,” which maximizes beer-to-hop exposure for an even more refreshing taste. The change hasn’t gone unnoticed: this 5.5% ABV Pale Ale took home a gold medal at the 2013 United States Open Beer Championship.

Some of the new brews entered into the 2013 GABF competition include:
Saranac West End IPA, Category 52: American Style IPA, 7.7% ABV – With a name that pays homage to the brewery’s history in the West side of Utica, N.Y., brewers tested countless individual hops in their new pilot brewery to achieve the sharpest, brightest flavor in this great West Coast Style IPA.
Tramonay Vineyard Saison, Category 69: French and Belgian Style Saison, 7.4% ABV – This aromatic beer is a brewing marvel featuring a full-flavored grape hybrid from Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, highlighted by three distinctive hops (hallertau blanc, madarina bavaria, and huell melon) bred at the Hop Research Institute in Hull, Germany.
Farm to Tap – Fresh Hop IPA, Category 15: Fresh Hop Ale, 7.0% ABV – A true testament to supporting local, this beer uses fresh heirloom hops picked by Saranac fans at local Wrobel Farms to boast an excellent aroma with a dry, citrusy taste and fresh leafy greenness brought on by the unique fresh-hop brewing process.

F.X. Matt Brewing Company thinks these beers are also pretty fantastic – and hopes the judges at this year’s GABF competition do, too:
Saranac Pumpkin Ale – Category 5: Field or Pumpkin Beer – Subcategory B: Pumpkin Beer – 5.1% ABV
Saranac White IPA – Category 18: American Belgo Style Ale – Subcategory A: Pale American Belgo Style Ale – 6.0% ABV
Saranac Adirondack Lager – Category 36: German Style Marzen – 5.5% ABV
Saranac Black Forest – Category 39: American Style Dark Lager – 5.3% ABV
Saranac Legacy IPA – Category 51: American Style Strong Pale Ale – 6.5% ABV
Utica Club – Category 33 American Style Lager or Light Lager – Subcategory A: American Style Lager – 5.0% ABV
ProAm Entry: Panther Lake Gose – Category 85: ProAm & Category 65: German-Style Sour Ale – Subcategory B: Leipzig-Style Gose – 7.3%

Stop, Collaborate and Listen
Collaboration is also the name of the game for brewers these days.

In a unique pairing, F.X. Matt Brewing Company joined forces with home brewer Carl Woodward of Panther Lake, N.Y., who took home “Best in Show” in the 2013 New York State Fair Home Brewer’s Competition. F.X. Matt brewers worked with Woodward to develop his Gose recipe into an exceptional entry into GABF’s ProAm competition.

“Collaborations are unique because you get the advantage of having the knowledge and experience of both brewers,” said Rich Michaels, product development manager for F.X. Matt. “Each brewer has a style they love to brew or a technique specific to their brewery, so it’s fun to put our heads together and come up with something that will be really different. The result ends up being a really unique and exceptional beer, both in style and flavor.”

But the teamwork doesn’t stop there. F.X. Matt Brewing Co. has also paired up with four other phenomenal breweries to bring the party to the streets at Denver Beer Co.’s Collaboration Celebration from 3-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, 1695 Platte Street, Denver.

Denver Beer Co. of Colorado, Pizza Port Brewing Company of California, Rahr & Sons Brewing Company of Texas, Telluride Brewing Co. of Colorado, and F.X. Matt Brewing Co. will share their collaboration brews alongside food and entertainment. There is no cost to attend this event.

Try a Taste
GABF attendees looking to get their hands on the latest in innovation from F.X. Matt Brewing Co. will have the opportunity to sample:
Saranac Legacy IPA – American IPA – 6.5% ABV
Saranac Pumpkin Ale – Spiced Fruit Ale – 5.1% ABV
Saranac West End IPA – American Style IPA – 7.7% ABV
Saranac White IPA – Hybrid IPA/Belgian White Ale – 6.0% ABV
Saranac High Peaks Tramonay – Saison/Fruit Beer Hybrid – 7.4% ABV

Celebrate with us. Use #Saranac125 and connect with F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac on Facebook (facebook.com/Saranac), Twitter (@SaranacBrewery), and Instagram (@SaranacBrewery). For more information, visit saranac.com.

F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, N.Y., was founded in 1888. Today, under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt family, the brewery is celebrating 125 years of brewing. Through a commitment to innovation and brewing excellence, the company has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most respected brewers of craft beers, including the premium Saranac line. In each bottle of Saranac, you’ll find exceptional quality, distinctive ingredients and a refreshing twist on tradition – the signature of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.

(Press Release)

UTICA, NY—Those long winter nights just got a bit more bearable with the announcement of Saranac’s winter brews.

Newbies – Rudy’s Spiced Christmas Ale, Decoction Concoction Lager, and Moonshadow Black IPA – join returning favorites – 4059’ Porter, Belgian Pale Ale, and 2013 United States Open Beer Championship gold medal winner Pale Ale – to make up the 12 Beers of Winter. In addition to being available in 12 Beers of Winter, Rudy’s Spiced Christmas Ale will be available in 6-packs, 12-packs and draught. Season’s Best and Caramel Porter will also be available, separately in 6-packs and draught.

But Saranac fans are excited about more than their winter seasonals. Consumers will also have 125 chances to win prizes and more with the “WinNer Wonderland” promotion, a play on the popular phrase “Winter Wonderland.”

“WinNers” will find sweet surprises in their 12 Beers of Winter package, including custom Saranac jackets, $125 gift cards, and other 125^th anniversary commemorative swag.

“We’ve been focused on rewarding our consumers as we celebrate our 125^th anniversary this year,” said company President Fred Matt. “We literally can’t stop giving things away. This promotion is another way we’re thanking our consumers for helping us make it to 125 years. All they have to do is look inside their winter 12-packs.”

Consumers will also have a chance to win by entering at Saranac.com when 12 Beers of Winter 12-packs hit the shelves.

Celebrate with us. Use #Saranac125 and connect with F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac on Facebook (facebook.com/Saranac), Twitter (@SaranacBrewery), and Instagram (@SaranacBrewery).

F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica, N.Y., was founded in 1888. Today, under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt family, the brewery is celebrating 125 years of brewing. Through a commitment to innovation and brewing excellence, the company has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most respected brewers of craft beers, including the Saranac line. In each bottle of Saranac, you’ll find exceptional quality, distinctive ingredients and a refreshing twist on tradition – the signature of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.