F.X. Matt Brewing Co. Shares Love of Beer During American Craft Beer Week

(UTICA, N.Y.) — F.X. Matt Brewing Company, brewers of Saranac, will celebrate its love for craft brewing with customers as part of American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) 2013.

ACBW, May 13-19, is an annual weeklong opportunity for brewers to share their culture and community with craft beer lovers across the United States. More than 1,300 events marked the occasion throughout all 50 states last year.

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. has been obsessed with brewing beer since 1888 and is extending its 125th anniversary celebrations to ACBW.

“This week isn’t just about highlighting the advancements and innovations we’ve been a part of throughout the years,” said President Fred Matt. “We’re actually celebrating those customers who – like us – aren’t afraid to try something new.”

Loyal Saranac lovers can test one of the brewery’s most recent innovations, Single Hop Belma IPA, at a special happy hour from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 17, at the Saranac 1888 Tavern & Tour Center in Utica. Admission is $20.

Single Hop Belma IPA is the first brew served to the public from its Pilot Brewery and features Belma hops, which were found growing wild on a hop farm in the Yakima Valley region of Washington State.

“Are we excited to take this opportunity to celebrate 125 years of brewing?” Fred pondered. “Yes. When you think about the fact that the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. was crafting beer before craft beer was even cool – yeah, that’s something we’re proud of.”

Actively run by third and fourth generation Nick and Fred Matt, the family embraces the innovative philosophy instilled by their grandfather and great-grandfather, F.X. Matt I.

“As one of the first American craft breweries, we’ve always challenged ourselves to push the boundaries of brewing and twist tradition,” said CEO Nick. “You’ll find this passion come to life in each bottle with a full flavor profile for a refreshing and round experience every time.”

Some recent industry innovations the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. can brag about include:

• The first to commercially brew a White IPA. A true mix of Belgian White and IPA, this unique brew features the refreshing flavors of orange peel and coriander and the distinct crisp flavor of hops for an innovative twist. Pair it with spicy foods, citrus salads and bleu cheese. (50 IBUs and 6 percent ABV.)
• Developing a pioneering hop injection system. The brewery has recently developed a technology to release the full potential of the hops brewed in their beer. The system breaks up hops into tiny particles and injects them through the beer as it enters aging, ensuring a burst of hop flavor and aroma in every sip.
• A commitment to the environment. Compared to most craft breweries that are 30 years and younger, onsite technology innovation is a much bigger challenge for the 125-year-old F.X. Matt Brewing Co. However, the company still managed to recycle 98.4 percent of their solid wastes in 2012. In fact, they also have an onsite anaerobic digester – a system that converts the brewery’s wastewater into enough energy to run about 40 percent of the facility’s electrical operations.

Celebrate with us. Use #Saranac125 and connect with F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac on Facebook (www.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.