UTICA, N.Y. — F.X. Matt Brewing Company’s craft beer, Saranac, will be featured among the state’s best at the 16th annual TAP(SM) New York beer and food festival, April 27 and 28 at Hunter Mountain.TAP(SM) New York is the longest running and largest craft brewing event, featuring more than 225 beers from 65 breweries across New York State. In addition to tastings, the event will offer competitions, cooking demonstrations and more.
“We’ve been brewing for 125 years and we were one of only a handful of craft brewers in attendance at the first TAP(SM) New York,” said President Fred Matt. “It’s great to see the festival continue to prosper, and this is a great opportunity for us to connect with our fellow New York brewers.”
As they celebrate their 125th anniversary, F.X. Matt Brewing Co. continues to innovate and has just installed a new pilot brewery that will be used to test process improvements and experiment with new beer styles. At TAP(SM) New York, F.X. Matt Brewing Co. will release their Saranac Single Hop Belma IPA — the first brew served to the public from their Pilot Brewery — just for this year’s event.
“Our Single Hop Belma IPA is brewed to show off the distinctive flavor of Belma hops,” said Product Development Manager Rich Michaels. “Belma hops were found growing wild on a hop farm in the Yakima Valley region of Washington State, and are exclusive to Saranac.”
Belma hops are also used in the Wild Hop Pilsener, one of the selections found in this year’s Saranac 12 Beers of Summer. Saranac Single Hop Belma IPA has more than 1.5 pounds of hops per barrel, and will be heavily dry hopped to give it an extra hoppy kick.
In addition, F.X. Matt Brewing Co. will award the annual F.X. Matt Memorial Cup. This award is a salute to new breweries and presented in honor of F.X. Matt ll, who was a tireless and outspoken champion for the small brewing industry. It is presented by Fred Matt, company president and fourth generation of the Matt family, to the winner of the Best Craft Brewery in New York State.
Past recipients of the Memorial Cup include Spider Bite Brewing of Holbrook (2012), Barrier Brewing of Oceanside (2011), Horseheads Brewing of Horseheads (2010), Keegan Ales of Kingston (2009), Ithaca Beer Co. of Ithaca (2008), and Lake Placid Pub & Brewery of Lake Placid (2007). The award is special this year, as F.X. Matt Brewing Co. celebrates its 125th anniversary.
“As one of the first craft breweries, we have always been committed to supporting the local economy and businesses,” said CEO Nick Matt. “We strive to source as many local ingredients as possible, in addition to spending about $10 million annually with other New York companies. It is a natural extension of this regional pride for us to celebrate and support the accomplishments of our fellow craft brewers.”
For more information, connect with the F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Saranac), Twitter (@SaranacBrewery), or Instagram (@SaranacBrewery).
About F.X. Matt Brewing Company
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. The company has earned a reputation as one of the country’s most respected brewers of specialty beers, including their line of Saranac craft beers. In each bottle of Saranac, you’ll find a commitment to quality, the finest ingredients and patient attention to detail — the signature of the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.