Brewers Association Releases Top 50 Breweries of 2012 - The New York Spin

Earlier today, the Brewers Association released their annual list of the Top 50 Breweries of 2012.  The list is based solely on the production statistics, i.e. who produces the most beer. 

The full list is broken into two categories; the list of Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies and the list of the Top 50 Overall U.S. Brewing Companies.  F.X. Matt Brewing, Brooklyn Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, and Southern Tier Brewing Company were the four representatives from New York State on both lists.  North American Breweries made an appearance on the overall list but was excluded from the craft brewing list.  Below are our thoughts on each list.



Craft Brewing Companies List
F.X. Matt Brewing was the highest at #8 followed by Brooklyn Brewery at #11, Blue Point Brewing Company at #36, and Southern Tier Brewing Company at #37.

*F.X. Matt is not only the oldest brewery in NY but also the biggest.  In addition to their wildly popular Saranac line, they also produce the historic Utica Club line as well as contract brew for Flying Bison (Buffalo).  Saranac has become almost as easy to find across the country as Sam Adams or Sierra Nevada. 

*Brooklyn Brewery's new expansion has allowed them to climb the ladder.  In addition to producing award winning beers, head brewer Garret Oliver has become the country's foremost expert on craft beer.  Brooklyn brews great beer and has a great distribution network set up, but you would have to imagine that Oliver helps as well. 

*Southern Tier has also been continuously expanding their brewing capacity.  Everyone has always enjoyed their 22 ounce bottle line, but they have made a move in recent years to put great beers in 12 ounce bottles.  It is rare that I have a bad beer from Southern Tier so it makes sense that the rest of the country feels the same way.  I have a feeling they will continue to climb this list each year.  

Overall List
The addition of the big boys bumped each of the four New York craft breweries down but also brought about the inclusion of a fifth NY member.  North American Breweries was listed at #6, Matt Brewing Company is next at #15, followed by Brooklyn Brewery at #18, Blue Point Brewing Company at #47, and Southern Tier Brewing Company at #48.

*North American Breweries is the parent company the brews for several beer brands/lines.  This list included the production numbers for the Dundee, Genesee, Labatt Lime, Magic Hat and Pyramid brands.  The whole portfolio and infrastructure has been sold multiple times over the last few years and is currently up for sale again.  None of the other big brewers are allowed to purchase it because of anti-trust laws, but current owner KPS Capital seems to have reached a $388 million deal with Cerveceria Costa Rica.

*It really does not matter to me who owns the Dundee and Genesee lines as long as the owner gives them the time, money and respect they deserve.  KPS did a flat out wonderful job with the Genesee brand.  They revived the historic sign, built a museum and brewpub and made numerous other countless moves to help revive the brand.  Let's hope that Cerveceria continues the momentum that KPS built.

*Blue Point has always been one of the biggest craft brewers in New York but I was surprised to see it on the Top 50 overall list.  Their beer is everywhere in New York but it just did not seem to be as widely as distributed as other breweries on the same list.  You learn something new everyday.  Congrats to Blue Point as well as the other breweries representing New York on the lists.    

Historical Society Will Host Beer Tastings With Beer Exhibit

New-York Historical Society to Host a Series of Beer Tastings from New York Breweries,

in Conjunction with the New Exhibition Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History

New York, NY – To celebrate its summer exhibition Beer Here: Brewing New York’s History, the New-York Historical Society will host a series of beer tastings that showcase the thriving brewing culture in New York City and State. Beer Here will examine the social, economic, political, and technological history of the production and consumption of beer, ale, and porter in the city from the seventeenth century to the present day. The beer tasting program, run by Starr Restaurants’ catering group – Stephen STARR Events, will take place in the exhibition’s beer hall on Saturday afternoons from May 26 through August 25, 2012.

The half-hour beer tasting events, which will occur at 2 pm and 4 pm, will offer visitors the chance to hear directly from brewers and brewery founders about the history and process of making beer. In addition to tasting local artisanal creations, visitors also will experience first-hand the hops, whole leaf flowers and other ingredients used to make beer. Tickets for a tasting event are $35 each (Members $20) and may be purchased online. A six-pack special discount, featuring tickets to six separate tastings, is $150 (Members $100; all purchases by telephone or in-person only). A complete tasting event schedule follows below.

In addition to the beer tastings, New-York Historical also will host Beer Appreciation Night on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 pm, featuring Beer Here curators Debra Schmidt Bach and Nina Nazionale; Garrett Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery; Steve Hindy, co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery; and Gabrielle Langholtz, editor of Edible Brooklyn and Edible Manhattan. A special tasting of Brooklyn Brewery beers will follow the program. Combined tickets for the program and beer tasting are $49 (Members $37), and program-only tickets are $24 (Members $12).

Beer Tastings Schedule & Participating Breweries

• May 26– Matt Brewing Company
• June 2 –Kelso Beer Co.
• June 9 – Keegan Ales
• June 16 – Bronx Brewery
• June 23 – Harlem Brewing Company
• June 30 – Blue Point Brewing Company
• July 7 – Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
• July 14 – Genesee Brewing Company
• July 21 – Heartland Brewery
• July 28 – Ithaca Beer Company
• August 4 – Matt Brewing Company
• August 11 – Bronx Brewery
• August 18 – Keegan Ales
• August 25 – Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.

The Matt Brewing Company
Saturday, May 26, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 4, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

The Matt Brewing Company has prospered at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Central New York for over a century. Under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family, the Brewery has earned the reputation as one of the most respected specialty brewers in the country and continues its family tradition with the celebrated Saranac family of beers. The tasting will feature Saranac White IPA, bursting with Citra hops and the refreshing fruitiness of orange peel and coriander, and the softening characters of wheat malt and oats, as well as other special selected beer.

Kelso Beer Co.

Saturday, June 2, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Kelso Beer Co. was founded by Kelly Taylor, a brewmaster at Heartland Brewery, and his wife, Sonya Giacobbe in 2006 to create fresh, flavorful, low-alcohol session beer. The tasting will feature Saison, a Belgian style ale; Recessionator, a big bold doppleback; India Pale Ale, a punchy, bright and unique beer; and Pilsner, a classic European pils, with a floral nose, slightly sweet with a dry finish.

Keegan Ales

Saturday, June 9, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 18, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Keegan Ales was founded in early 2003 when Tommy Keegan learned about an empty building in Kingston that nobody would buy because there was a defunct brewery stuck in it! The Keegan Ales tasting will feature Mother’s Milk, a dark and creamy milk stout with hints of oatmeal, chocolate and milk; Hurricane Kitty, a coppery and heavily hopped India Pale Ale; and Barley Wine.

Bronx Brewery

Saturday, June 16, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm; Saturday, August 11, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Bronx Brewery, a craft brewer and distributor based in the South Bronx, was launched in 2011 by a small team with two things in common: a maniacal focus on creating high-quality beer and a passion for the Bronx. Bronx Brewery will serve its Bronx Pale Ale, a deep amber, American-style pale ale. A second, yet-to-be released, spring beer may also be available.

Harlem Brewing Company

Saturday, June 23, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

The Harlem Brewing Company story starts about 86 years ago. Legend has it that during Prohibition a special beer was being made and this secret brew could be found in Speakeasies and after-hours spots all over Harlem. This tasting will feature Sugar Hill Golden Ale, a medium bodied golden ale known for its drinkability, with a subtle citrus accent and a finish of hops and malt flavor.

Blue Point Brewing Company

Saturday, June 30, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Blue Point Brewing Company is Long Island’s only microbrewery. It was founded in 1998 by two long-time friends, Mark Burford and Pete Cotter. The brewery’s unique direct-fire brew kettle imparts a lightly toasted, complex taste to produce a line of ultra-premium microbrews.

Captain Lawrence Brewing Company

Saturday, July 7, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Started by Scott Vacarro, an avid brewer from the young age of 17, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company opened in 2006 and is named after Captain Lawrence Drive, the street where Vacarro grew up. After much success, Vacarro recently expanded the brewery into a new location in Elmsford, NY with more brewing capacity and a large tasting room. The tasting will feature Captain Kolisch, Liquid Gold, and Pale Ale.

Genesee Brewing Company

Saturday, July 14, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Brewery makes the Genesee line of beers, including the original Genesee Cream Ale, Dundee Pilsner, the award winning Dundee Pale Bock, Dundee Stout, and Dundee India Pale Ale.

Heartland Brewery

Saturday, July 21, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Heartland Brewery opened as New York’s first American style brewpub on Union Square in 1995 and has been igniting New Yorkers’ passion for craft beers ever since. Heartland has consistently brewed New York’s freshest craft beers, including Heartland’s classic six as well as a wide range of unique seasonal brews.

Ithaca Beer Company

Saturday, July 28, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

In December 1998, Dan Mitchell, founder of Ithaca Beer Company, created the first local brewery in Ithaca that exemplifies “The Spirit of the Finger Lakes.” Ithaca Beer Company was recently awarded two medals at the Great American Beer Festival in Colorado in 2008. The tasting will feature Nut Brown, with subtle hints of both chocolate and coffee; CascaZilla, a red ale; and Apricot Wheat Ale, an easy-drinking wheat beer.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company

Saturday, August 25, 2012: 2 pm & 4 pm

Founders John Liegy and Rich Vandenburgh met in college and dreamed of opening a microbrewery. That dream became a reality when in in July of 2009, the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company was founded. Today, Greenport’s beer is served in more than 200 locations on Long Island and in New York City.

About the New-York Historical Society
The New-York Historical Society, one of America’s pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, the New-York Historical Society has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.

The New-York Historical Society is recognized for engaging the public with deeply researched and far-ranging exhibitions, such as Alexander Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America; Slavery in New York; Nature and the American Vision: The Hudson River School at the New-York Historical Society; Grant and Lee in War and Peace; Lincoln and New York; The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New-York Historical Society; Nueva York; and Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn. Supporting these exhibitions and related education programs is one of the world’s greatest collections of historical artifacts, works of American art and other materials documenting the history of the United States and New York.

About STARR Restaurants

Founded in 1995 by Stephen Starr, Philadelphia-based STARR Restaurants is one of the fastest growing multi-concept restaurant companies in the country. STARR Restaurants include Buddakan, Morimoto, The Continental, Barclay Prime, Continental Mid-Town, El Vez, Jones, Alma de Cuba, Pod, Parc, Butcher and Singer, Pizzeria Stella, El Rey, Ranstead Room, The Dandelion, Talula’s Garden, Frankford Hall, Il Pittore, Route 6 and seasonal food-stand SquareBurger in Philadelphia, as well as, Morimoto and Buddakan in New York City’s thriving Meatpacking District. STARR Restaurants expanded to Atlantic City, NJ, with Buddakan and The Continental located in the Pier Shops at Caesars in 2006, and to Florida with Steak 954 at the W Hotel Fort Lauderdale in 2009, and Makoto in the Bal Harbour Shops in 2011. Stephen STARR Events is the group's full-service catering and special events division, managing projects including Granite Hill at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Caffè Storico located in the New-York Historical Society, Serai at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City, and Rat’s Restaurant at Grounds For Sculpture in New Jersey.

Stephen Starr has earned numerous awards and accolades, and was named “Restaurateur of the Year” by Bon Appétit magazine in 2005 and Zagat Survey New York City in 2007. Starr also received the TimeOut New York Readers’ Choice Award for “Best New Out-of-Town Restaurateur” in 2007.

For more information, please visit www.starr-restaurant.com.

Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/StarrRestaurants and facebook.com/StephenStarrEvents or follow us on Twitter @StarrRestaurant and @StarrEvents.

Dundee Ales & Lagers To Release Three New Beers

Dundee Introduces New Irish Red Lager

in Time for St. Patrick’s Day


Irish Red Lager is the first of several seasonal beers planned for 2010

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, Dundee Ales & Lagers announces its latest seasonal beer: Irish Red Lager. This sweet and malty lager is available through April, and is sure to be a hit with those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Dundee Brewer Jim McDermott selected the finest Cara Red malt to impart the beer’s namesake red hue. Magnum and Czech Saaz hops balance the beer. McDermott finishes it off by dry-hopping each batch with a subtle touch of Cascade hops. The result is a full-bodied lager with just enough malty sweetness, and a slight dry finish.

“The goal was to deliver a very flavorful version of this style, which is a great-tasting ‘session beer,’” said McDermott. “We think it will be an excellent option for people that are looking for something a little different on St. Patrick’s Day. If you want to enjoy a good craft beer as part of your celebrations, it’s the perfect choice,” McDermott added.

Irish Red Lager is the first of a number of new beers scheduled to appear in Dundee’s seasonal lineup this year. The new beer is also Dundee’s first addition to its line of craft ales and lagers in over two years.

Dundee Ales & Lagers will brew and release the following seasonal beers for a limited time throughout the year:

- NEW Irish Red Lager: Spring Seasonal. Sweet, malty Irish Red, available February – April
- NEW Summer Wheat: Summer Seasonal. American-style Wheat Beer, available May – July
- Oktoberfest: Fall Seasonal. Traditional Märzen-style lager, available August – October
- Festive Ale: Winter Seasonal. Hearty ale with spices, available November – January

These beers will be available on draft at bars and restaurants, and in six-packs at convenience and grocery stores across the United States.

New Craft Pack Offering

Also new from Dundee this year are a smooth, slightly sweet Stout, and a crisp, refreshing Kolsch-style Ale. They are showing up on shelves this March for the first time in the Dundee Craft Pack. Fans of the Dundee Craft Pack – the brewery’s variety 12-pack – can still find the India Pale Ale there, alongside the other Craft Pack mainstay, Pale Bock Lager. This mix of beers will be available in the Dundee Craft Pack through October.

“We think that craft beer drinkers who are new to Dundee will find that it’s the ‘best beer they’ve never had,’” said Jason Drewniak, brand manager, Dundee Ales and Lagers. “We have a great team of brewers here that are dedicated to their craft. We’re sure that our consumers will appreciate their hard work and attention to detail in creating these signature beers.

“In November, the mix of beers in the Dundee Craft Pack will change again,” said Drewniak. “We know our consumers want variety and we’re going to deliver a lot of great new beer choices from the Dundee family this year.”

About Dundee Brewing Company

Dundee Brewing Company is based in Rochester, New York. The Dundee Brewing Company is part of North American Breweries, which also owns Labatt USA and the Genesee Brewery and a perpetual license for Seagrams Escapes. Please visit www.dundeebeer.com or http://twitter.com/dundeebeer for more information.

Dundee Ales & Lagers is a family of craft beers which includes the year round IPA and a full line of limited edition releases.

Please drink responsibly.
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Back In Brown: The Original Honey Brown Returns to It's Roots

Honey Brown's “new” look adopts the exact same iconic label and packaging that made the beer famous.

First introduced in 1994 and widely popular in the late 90s, The Original Honey Brown is mounting a comeback. Credited as one of the first beers to add honey, The Original Honey Brown sold like wildfire. Made with clear water, barley malt, hops and pure Manitoba White Clover honey, its distinctive taste won over beer fans quickly. “It developed somewhat of a cult following,” said John Fischer, brewmaster for The Original Honey Brown. “Sixteen years ago, it was a very new idea among American craft brewers to use honey as a beer ingredient and people loved it.”

In its heyday, sales of The Original Honey Brown quickly peaked to 250,000 barrels, fueled by consumer demand for the smooth, unique flavor profile. When the brewery started going through hard times in the late 90s it pulled back its support of The Original Honey Brown. Sales dipped and the brewery quickly reacted by repackaging the beer, hiking up the price and putting it in the craft brew section of grocery stores. It didn’t work. Distribution lagged and sales slumped further.

“We’re excited to re-launch a popular beer that people once loved. Back in the late 90s, the brewery failed to recognize they had a hit on their hands with The Original Honey Brown. The great recipe remained the same but the changes to the packaging made it hard for people to find,” said Jason Drewniak, brand manager for The Original Honey Brown. “I couldn’t be happier to get back to our roots and tell consumers that The Original Honey Brown is back. And it looks just like they remember,” added Drewniak.

Starting today, people can find their old favorite, The Original Honey Brown – like it looked when it was first introduced in 1994. The “new” look adopts the exact same iconic label and packaging that made The Original Honey Brown famous. Along with the packaging changes, The Original Honey Brown will have a new, lower price in many areas where it’s sold – making it competitive among specialty beers, which was a key part of the beer’s original success.

According to Drewniak, sometimes you have to admit when you’ve gotten off track. “Consumers spoke with their wallets. They stopped buying the beer we know they love because they didn’t recognize it and couldn’t find it,” he said. “We don’t have to create something new. We already had the right recipe for success. We just have to give people what they want.”

Reaction from distributors and retailers to the return of The Original Honey Brown has been very positive. The boost in availability for the brand will mean old fans will get a chance to rediscover the beer and new fans will be introduced to what was once among the hottest new introductions in the beer business. The Original Honey Brown is available in six and 12-pack bottles, and 12-pack cans at grocery, convenience and drug stores throughout the country. It’s also available on draft at bars and restaurants.

Honey Brown's “new” look adopts the exact same iconic label and packaging that made the beer famous.02.22.2010 – First introduced in 1994 and widely popular in the late 90s, The Original Honey Brown is mounting a comeback. Credited as one of the first beers to add honey, The Original Honey Brown sold like wildfire. Made with clear water, barley malt, hops and pure Manitoba White Clover honey, its distinctive taste won over beer fans quickly. “It developed somewhat of a cult following,” said John Fischer, brewmaster for The Original Honey Brown. “Sixteen years ago, it was a very new idea among American craft brewers to use honey as a beer ingredient and people loved it.”

In its heyday, sales of The Original Honey Brown quickly peaked to 250,000 barrels, fueled by consumer demand for the smooth, unique flavor profile. When the brewery started going through hard times in the late 90s it pulled back its support of The Original Honey Brown. Sales dipped and the brewery quickly reacted by repackaging the beer, hiking up the price and putting it in the craft brew section of grocery stores. It didn’t work. Distribution lagged and sales slumped further.

“We’re excited to re-launch a popular beer that people once loved. Back in the late 90s, the brewery failed to recognize they had a hit on their hands with The Original Honey Brown. The great recipe remained the same but the changes to the packaging made it hard for people to find,” said Jason Drewniak, brand manager for The Original Honey Brown. “I couldn’t be happier to get back to our roots and tell consumers that The Original Honey Brown is back. And it looks just like they remember,” added Drewniak.

Starting today, people can find their old favorite, The Original Honey Brown – like it looked when it was first introduced in 1994. The “new” look adopts the exact same iconic label and packaging that made The Original Honey Brown famous. Along with the packaging changes, The Original Honey Brown will have a new, lower price in many areas where it’s sold – making it competitive among specialty beers, which was a key part of the beer’s original success
.
According to Drewniak, sometimes you have to admit when you’ve gotten off track. “Consumers spoke with their wallets. They stopped buying the beer we know they love because they didn’t recognize it and couldn’t find it,” he said. “We don’t have to create something new. We already had the right recipe for success. We just have to give people what they want.”

Reaction from distributors and retailers to the return of The Original Honey Brown has been very positive. The boost in availability for the brand will mean old fans will get a chance to rediscover the beer and new fans will be introduced to what was once among the hottest new introductions in the beer business. The Original Honey Brown is available in six and 12-pack bottles, and 12-pack cans at grocery, convenience and drug stores throughout the country. It’s also available on draft at bars and restaurants.

Genesee Brewery Lights Up!

When KPS Capital Partners, LP bought the High Falls Brewing Company in early 2009, the craft beer fans of Rochester, NY were nervous. Formerly known as the Genesee Brewing Company, the brewery traces it's roots back to the late 1800's.

KPS formed the North American Breweries which owns Genesee Brewing Company, Labatt USA and a perpetual license for Seagram's Escapes from Pernod Ricard USA, LLC.

North American Breweies made the decision to rename the brewery back to the Genesee Brewing Company.

On Friday at 9:30 p.m., the brewery will light up the red and blue Genesee Beer & Ale that has been out for the last 40 years. The brewery has been working on the 28-foot long sign over the last four weeks.

It has been hard to argue with the moves that North American Breweries has been making for the Genesee Brewing Company. The sign was part of a $10 million dollar renovation to the brewery. The brewery is looking to regain some of that local passion and pride that it has lost a lot of over time. Cheers to the new (old) Gensee Brewery!