Matt Brewing Company - Saranac IPA

To the Iroquois, native people of the Adirondacks, the word Saranac means "Cluster of Stars". Some might consider the varied selection of Saranac beers to be a cluster of stars in the microbrew world. Saranac IPA has a great balance of hops and malts, unlike many aggressively hopped interpretations of this style. On the nose, expect to be greeted with ample floral hop scents, some pepperiness, grains and caramel malt scents. Look for flavors that closely parallel the aroma, with an unexpected champagne-like note. The finish is dry and very well-balanced. The brewery recommends pairing this beer with seafood, pizza or Mexican.

Originally from the Black Forest region of Germany, Francis Xavier Matt I chose to settle in the Adirondacks where he founded what is today one of the oldest breweries in the United States. He arrived in the U.S. in 1878 (a mere 13 years after the conclusion of the American Civil War!) and put in several years of brewing experience at the already established Bierbaur Brewery. By 1888, “F.X.” as he liked to be called, reorganized the floundering brewery to create The West End Brewing Company which quickly became one of the largest and most successful breweries in the Northeastern U.S. Today known as the Matt Brewing Company, the brewery has survived numerous world-altering events, from World War I (1914-1918), to Prohibition (1920-1933), to World War II (1939-1946). After the days of Prohibition had passed, F.X., then 74, was joined by his sons Walter and Frank, and a tradition of family brewing ensued. Under the leadership of the third and fourth generations of the Matt Family (Nick and Fred, respectively), the Brewery has earned a reputation as one of the most respected specialty brewers in the country, producing a variety of distinctive, flavorful beers. Management of the brewery spans four generations—a rare feat in the world of U.S. microbrewed beers since most were founded within the past 30 years. This practice of family run breweries is more common to the master breweries of Europe, such as those found in Bavaria, and is a tradition that F.X. Matt I clearly brought with him to the states. It’s been more than a century since F.X. created the first of his brewery’s malty treasures and set in motion the legacy that is the Matt brewing tradition. Today, each of their brews is a flavorful testament to time-tested recipes and their literally generations of experience. For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call 800-765-6288 or check out their web site at www.saranac.com.