Posts Tagged“saranac”

In Defense of Pumpkin Ale

Pumpkin ale is the beaujolais nouveau of the beer world: it’s ubiquitous in the fall and it gets little respect. Beer drinkers complain that they show up too early, and sure, August is a bit early –– but this year August was pumpkin season. Then they complain that pumpkin ales just don’t taste good. Well, they don’t all taste the same, so that has to be a generalization, unless you hate the taste of pumpkin or pumpkin spices in which case shut your damn mouth. Then they complain that they’re everywhere, which wouldn’t be true if nobody drank them. I…

Saranac White IPA

You never know what’s going to shine in a blind tasting. That’s why it’s so important. Big-name beers from lauded breweries may actually be lackluster in a lineup, without the pomp and circumstance their fame would normally require, while lesser-known or less respected breweries may surprise and force the drinker to reconsider relegating it to “party beer” status. The latter is exactly what happened the first time I tried Saranac’s new white IPA. I was blind-tasting Belgian styles with a group of experienced tasters, and after several samples that turned out to be from Ommegang, Dupont, and Lindeman’s we were…

Saranac Wet Hop IPA

By Mark Tichenor, Rochester Beer Correspondent It might not yet be a gold mine, but farmer Rick Pedersen of Seneca Castle, New York is definitely sitting on something. Pedersen Farms is one of the few in Western New York to fully embrace the craft beer revolution by cultivating hops. In doing so, they spur the resurgence of this once-ubiquitous New York State crop. This makes it possible for breweries like Saranac to brag that their new Wet Hop IPA is made with all-New York hops, a claim that, until recently, would have been untenable. Wet-hopping is basically adding fresh hop…

Saranac Octoberfest

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist The leaves are changing and the weather is getting cooler. While these signs mark the arrival of fall to many people, I know it is Fall when Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Ales start to show up on the shelves of beer stores.   This week's beer review is fo Saranac Octoberfest Lager from the F.X. Matt Brewing Company.   Saranac's Octoberfest poured a dark copper color with a two-finger width of white head. The nose is pleasant, and well balanced with malt up front and distinct hop aromas underneath. There is a faint trace of spices as well.  The body has a…

Saranac Imperial IPA

By Kevin Burns, Beer Columnist Saranac Imperial IPA is produced by the F.X. Matt Brewing Company and Saranac brand stirs up mixed feelings amongst the many self-proclaimed "beer geeks." While all knowledgeable beer fans recognize the contributions that the Matt family have made, there are some who love this line of beer and others who think the line is nothing more than average.  This particular beer pours a dark amber color with a finger width, off-white head. The aroma is sort of cloudy, with nothing more than muddled hops and malt showing through. The body has some malt up front with…