Topic Archives: Saranac
Saranac’s Blend of Lager & Lemonade
Will the shandy style beers compete with the emerging cider market? Too early to tell, but the blend of beer and lemonade isn’t dead. Matt Brewing’s “Saranac” line looks to play host to a Shandy in the future. A blend of lager and lemonade.
Style: Shandy
Availability: 12 oz bottles
Arrival: TBA
note: The above is tentative. Subject to change at whim of the brewer, the beer, or the barrel.
Saranac Launching Chocolate Lager, Bringing Back Big Moose Ale
UPDATE: A reader has pointed out a correction: Chocolate Amber and Chocolate Lager are 2 different beers.
It took some a bit of focused effort to sort through the Saranac portfolio to find sort out last release dates for seasonals. Chocolate Lager & Big Moose Ale look to be back on the calendar again.
Chocolate Lager IS different from Chocolate Amber Lager.
Saranac chocolate lager is a sinfully delicious deep amber lager made with the purest cacao from Belize. Our brewers looked far and wide for highest quality cacao to create a smooth chocolaty taste that only comes from the most exclusive cacao plants. We use the roasted seeds of these decadent plants and perfectly paired them with caramel malt and German Hallertau hops to create a malty chocolate sweet flavor. You’ll love savoring this beer with your holiday foods or on its own for a delicious treat.
Style: Dark Lager
Hops: Hallertau
Malts: Caramel
Cacao Nibs
Big Moose Ale is an American Pale Ale headed back to shelves again soon. According to Saranac, Big Moose last saw bottles in 2009.
Saranac Big Moose Ale is the perfect brew for a cold Adirondack winter night. This full-flavored ale is triple dry hopped with specialty citra, centennial and cascade hops to give you a vibrant citrusy hop aroma. The bold hop character is balanced by malt sweetness from English pale and caramel malts to produce a lusciously crisp flavor. We don’t call it “Big Moose” for nothing!
Style: American Pale Ale
Hops: Citra, Centennial, Cascade
Malts: English pale, Caramel
A Saranac For Jerry
F.X. Matt Brewing is paying tribute to Jerry Garcia this summer with Saranac Liquid Vibes Lager. Liquid Vibes will be exclusively served at the Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The festival was created back in 1996 to celebrate the lead man of The Grateful Dead.
The festival kicks off today, and runs through June 24th, 2011. 20,000-30,000 people attend this festival a day. Headlining acts this year include Elvis Costello, Moe., and Jane’s Addiction.
[GoVibes]
Saranac Irish Stout Returns
2011 marks the second release of Saranac Irish Stout from Matt Brewing Company. Those looking for Irish stouts, or Irish style stouts this beer is worth a look.
From the brewers:
Deep within the heart of the Irish lies an uncanny passion for what they call “Leann Dubh”, or black ale. Saranac Irish Stout is a lavish beer blended with dark malts to create a coffee like taste. Look for a roasted character that is surprisingly smooth and refreshing, pint after pint.
Style: IrishDry Stout
Hops: Northdown, Golding
Malts: 2 Row, Roasted Barley
Taste Expectations: Dry flavor, with lots of roasted malts & coffee malts. Hints of chocolate.
Food Pairings: (From Matt Brewing): Heavy rich food, steak, meat pie, raw oysters
5.5% ABV
VID: Beer Stimulus Bill Discussion on Fox & Friends
The “Beer Stimulus Bill” (H.R. 4278) was introduced last session of Congress, and was not acted on. It will be introduced again this session. Today, Nick Matt of FX Matt Brewing, Leslie Henderson of Lazy Magnolia Brewing, & Dan Kopman of Schlafly Brewing appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss the bill benefits.
Talking Points:
– Beer is heavily taxed by the U.S. Government ( Excise tax pre-sale, Retail)
– Small brewing employs 1 person per 1,000 barrels. ( 1 per 50,000 barrels macro)
– Small brewing makes 5% of the beer, employes 50% of the people
– Small Brewing has created 100,000 jobs in last 25 years
– The Beer Stimulus Bill would create more industry jobs
I can’t embed video, check it out here —> watch?v=C6mrzBBdN1M&feature=player_detailpage
SEASONAL RETURN: Smuttynose Pumpkin
Arriving from it’s home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire it’s the brewery’s newest seasonal – Smuttynose Pumpkin. According to their press release, it was contract brewed by Matt Brewing Company (brewers of Saranac beers, Utica, New York.) While the packaging has gotten an update this year, the recipe of course remains unchanged.
Commercial Description:
“Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale is our homage to the craft and heritage of America’s brewers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins in beer date back to early colonial times, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.”
In that spirit, we brew our ale with the addition of pumpkin to the mash, along with traditional spices to create a delicious American original.”
Taste Expectations: Spices – nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice. Sweet malts throughout this brew with of course pumpkin beers making this a fall favorite.
Availability: Mid August – October seasonally
6.3% ABV
