Finger Lakes Riesling Festival To Host New York Breweries

In addition to great wine, live entertainment, and local food, this year's Finger Lakes Reisling Festival will feature several New York State craft breweries. Brooklyn Brewery, North American Breweries (Genesee), Saranac Beer, Rooster Fish Brewing, Ithaca Beer and Soda Company, Southern Tier Brewing Company, and Ellicottville Brewing Company will all be pouring their beers in the craft beer tent.

The Festival attracted 25,000 to the Canandaigua area last year while raising more than $35,000 for the Canandaigua Family YMCA. In addition to the new Beer Tent, the Festival has also added a Car Show, Battle of the Bands Competition and horse-drawn carriage rides.

Finger Lakes Riesling Festival

August 14-15, 2010

Lakeshore Drive & Pier, Canandaigua, New York

http://www.rieslingfestival.com/

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.

Saranac Wins A European Beer Star Award

The 2009 European Beer Star Winners have been announced and a New York brewery has taken home a medal. The contest was held on November 18th, and featured a total of 836 beers from 36 countries.

F.X. Matt Brewing Company's Saranac Black Forest won a Bronze medal in the German Style Schwarzbier category. Congrats to to the people at Saranac for another well deserved award.