F.X. Matt In Talks To Buy Flying Bison Brewery

The Buffalo News had a very interesting article in today's Business section. Samantha Maziarz Christmann reports that the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. has made an offer to buy Flying Bison for $100,000 plus a partial assumption of the company’s debts.

Flying Bison has seen profits drop due to the recession and high ingredient costs. Three months ago they stopped bottling their beers and decided to only sell their beer in kegs.

Matt Brewing has stated it plans to keep the Buffalo facility open as well as retain Tim Herzog, the company's president. Saranac would eventually use the Buffalo location to produce small batch beer for both Flying Bison and Saranac brews, while moving the big batch Flying Bison beers to Matt's Utica location.

Herzog owns 50 percent of the company and has encouraged his shareholders to accept the deal. While at least two shareholders have spoken out against the deal, it is reported that the majority are excited and the deal is expected to go through.

You can read the full article here.

Shmaltz to Release Limited Pilsner, Bittersweet Lenny's in 4 Packs

Shmaltz will also be releasing their Bittersweet Lenny's in 12 oz. bottle 4 packs. The beer had previously only come in 22 oz. bottles. The new 4 packs will be available year-round starting in January 2010.

Lenny's was brewed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the tragic death of legendary satirist Lenny Bruce (R.I.P.A. in 22 oz. bottles was initially released on August 3, 2006), Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. is brewed with an obscene amount of malts and hops, and soars to 10% alc. With shocking flavors far beyond contemporary community standards, Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. has been touted by beer aficionados and critics alike as The Most Radical Jewish Tribute Beer ever created.

Shmaltz also released The Chosen Spot Pilsner as alimited release in New York only.

The Chosen Spot Pilsner

Description:
Dry Hopped American Rye Pilsner

Malts:
Specialty 2-Row, Caramel Pils, Rye Ale, Crystal Rye, Vienna, Wheat,
Flaked Oats

Hops:
Amarillo, Crystal, Tettnang, Columbus, Warrior
Dry Hopped:
Amarillo, Crystal

Abv: 5%

Captain Lawrence Rosso E Marrone

On January 29, 2009, we announced that Captain Lawrence would be releasing their long awaited Rosso e Marrone. Well, we finally tasted it and it did not disappoint. Here is the original post as well as our review.
http://thefoaminghead.com/captain_lawrence_rosso_e_marrone.html


Captain Lawrence Releases Rosso e Marrone!

We will finally be releasing the Rosso e Marrone!It has been a long journey for this beer to finally see the light of day…..

Over two years in oak wine barrels and then an additional 6 months in the bottle before it finally decided it was time. This is a sour ale, very different from most beers. The flavors are wine like and a bit funky. The two years in the oak barrels have imparted a nice dry oak character. We added both zinfandel and Merlot grapes to the beer a year into its aging which imparted a very nice wine like character.

The specifics….

Release Date: February 14th, 12:00pm
Production: 700 bottles (375ml)
Cost: $10 / bottle – CASH SALE ONLY
Limit: 4 per customer

This beer will be sold on a first come first serve basis….we will not save, pre-sell or reserve bottles for anyone, so please don’t ask.

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to an exciting 2009.

Sincerely,
Captain Lawrence
(914) 741-BEER (2337)
Location:
99 Castleton Street
Pleasantville, NY
www.captainlawrencebrewing.com

Coney Island Lagers Were Winners In 2009

Shmaltz Brewing Company's Coney Island Lager line is one of the more interesting lines of beer in New York. Each of the five beers is named after a member of the Coney Island Freakshow. It seems that the beer world is finding out what TheFoamingHead has allready known about the Coney Island Lagers, and that is the beer is just as good as the artwork. The Coney Island Lager line won four awards in 2009 and is primed for an even bigger 2010.

Coney Island Human Blockhead(TM) took home the National Grand Prize in the "Loose Lager" category at the United States Tasting Championship (July 2009). With rigorous field trials held over a one-month period and a concentration on six different regions around the country, Shmaltz's seasonal attraction won alongside other Grand Champions such as Farmhouse Ale (Smuttynose), In-Heat Wheat (Flying Dog) and Captain Sig's Northwestern Ale (Rogue).

Coney Island Human Blockhead(TM) also took Second Place in the "Strong Lager" category at the 2009 Manitou Springs Craft Lager Festival in Manitou Springs, CO (August 8 & 9, 2009). The Craft Lager Festival annually recognizes the highest quality craft lagers with awards in several style categories. The festival is unique as its staffed solely by volunteers who put on the event to benefit open space and parks in their local communities, and to support the remarkable art of craft brewing.

At Hotoberfest in Atlanta, GA (October 3, 2009), Coney Island Albino Python(TM) was awarded a Silver Medal in the Best Brew Competition. Hotoberfest features a consumer-voting competition where all of the awards are based on public opinions of the attendees at the event. Coney Island Albino Python(TM) also received 1st Place in the "Other" category at the West Coast Brew Fest in Sacramento, CA (May 16, 2009).

Bronx Brewery Plans 2010 Opening

With the craft beer market growing, more and more small breweries are popping up across the country and New York is no different. While researching some of the breweries, one of the more interesting new breweries will be the Bronx Brewery.

Stephen O'Sullivan and Niall Henry founded the Bronx Brewery and have brought Damian Brown onboard as the Head Brewer. I recently spent some time on the phone with Brown to talk about what stages the brewery is in now and what they have planned for the year. Brown recently graduated the Master Brewers Program at UC Davis.

The brewery is currently still raising capital at this point and anyone interested in investing in the brewery should Damian Brown to discuss the opportunity. As of now, the brewery plans to sign a lease on commercial space once we have raised the requisite money. Currently several Bronx neighborhoodsare being targeted, including Hunt's Point and Port Morris. The plan is to open some time in Summer of 2010.

The Bronx Brewery will start with three brews, the Bronx Riverd(ALE), Hip HopStout, and the Mother Hef’n Bronx. After these three there are plans for The Bronx Lager, Bronx Bomber Red Ale, Woodlawn Wheat Ale, and a Fordham Flash Stout.

They brewery plans to sell their beer as draft only for the first two years before moving to bottle production. They will use casks and barrell aged beers. The brewery plans to bottle beers in 40 ounce bottles.

You can follow the Bronx Brewery's progress on their own website, Twitter and Facebook. They can be found at:

Twitter - @TheBronxBrewery
Facebook - The Bronx Brewery
Website - http://thebronxbrewery.com/