A moment of silence and hope (UPDATED)
Regular readers of this blog know that my favorite libation is brewed at the FX Matt Brewery in Utica, NY (formerly the brewers of the iconic “Utica Club” beer) which bottled great beer under the name of “Saranac“, the only beer I can drink after nine years of German beer. My cousin Scott emailed me this morning to tell me the brewery was engulfed in flames last night. The latest news I can find is from 3am today;
A fire is still blazing at the F.X. Matt Brewery after forcing the cancellation of the season’s first Saranac Thursday. The fire began in the canning area on the third floor. Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks says the fire is not yet under control as of 12:00 AM. There are major cracks in the walls of the burning building.
Utica Fire Marshal Raymond Beck says investigators are canvassing the neighborhood talking to people. An evaluation of the building is necessary but Beck fears of potential collapse, making an examination impossible at this time.
A local man took this video of the fire;
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It looks like this year’s “Beers of Summer” may not make it to market. In that case, it’ll be a long, hot, thirsty summer. My best wishes for the employees and owners of the 120-year-old family-owned brewery.
I’m awaiting updates from my cousin who has his nose to the ground on this disturbing story.
UPDATE: I know ya’all have been as worried as I’ve been about this. Well, I just received this email from the brewery;
As some of you may have heard, last evening, a major portion of our production facility was destroyed by fire. While the Brewery operations remain shutdown, it is our intention to rebuild our Brewery and plans are already underway to do so in the most efficient manner possible.
We cannot possibly thank everyone for their generous outpouring of support for our organization during this difficult time. We extend our deepest gratitude to the City of Utica Fire & Police Departments as well as surrounding municipal fire departments for their efforts to control this devastating situation. Having been faced with many challenges over our 120 year history, we are extremely confident in our ability to rebuild this area of our operations and come back stronger than ever. Thank you all for your support of Saranac Beer and Soft Drinks.
From Utica’s Channel 2;
*Canning capability is lost for now. However, it looks like bottling operations could be salvageable, though officials are not yet sure.
*There are plans to tank beer at another brewery.
*There is plenty of finished stock that has not been effected that will be rolling out Monday.
*Kegging operations were not effected.
*There may be some dislocation for employees, but no other details were released.
*The Boilermaker is not expected to be effected.
*Saranac Thursday will continue next Thursday.
*There were no fire sprinklers in the building, but the building was up to fire codes according to Nick Matt.
So I can sleep tonight.
Category: None
Would you like to me gather some up for ya? World Market has a few…I can do that, really. I know it’s tough to be without your favorite adult beverage. You can email-
echo11eagle@yahoo.com
Jonn wrote: Thanks, but I think my cousin and my daughter might be scaring some up for me.
My condolences to you, Jonn. There’s fewer and fewer local breweries in business because it’s hard to compete with the big boys. Rochester still has High Falls Brewery (aka Genesee Brewery), but it’s barely holding on. We’re about the same age. My buddies and I used to drink Genny Cream Ale back in the day (and suffer from the Cream Ale blues the next day!). Twelve Horse on tap, especially at Barbers Grill in Brockport, near the canal, was another Genny product that I enjoyed.
Keep us tabbed on the F.X. Matt Brewery situation.
Jonn wrote: I used to be enamored with Genny Cream myself, despite the related morning-after stomach gyrations.
When I go to Mass Sunday, I’ll light a votive candle for you.
Who’s the patron Saint of Beer?
Jonn wrote: I’m not sure but it must be one of those German saints.
Raoul,
Better light four votive candles! There’s four Saints that are patrons to brewers, Augustine of Hippo, Luke the Apostle, Nicholas of Myra and the Good King Wenceslas. I got this info from:
Saints of Suds (“When The Saints Go Malting In”), by The Brews Brothers (Steve Frank and Arnold Meltzer)
Thank God that you will have a Supply of your beer for the near-future!
I, on the other hand, rely upon cheap American substitutes!
Good for you, Jonn!
*There are plans to tank beer at another brewery.
I wonder if High Falls (Genesee) Brewery will help them out? They already make products for other labels including Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Samuel Adams and the Narragansett Brewing Company. It’d be great if High Falls would help out another independent upstate brewer, F.X. Matt.
Jonn wrote: Apparently you’re not the only one thinking of it.
Jonn,
Here’s a link to an article in the Democrat and Chronicle about High Falls Brewery’s offer of help to F.X. Matt:
High Falls offers to help Utica’s Matt Brewing
Dang.