Great Lakes Brewing News Archive

Albany Area Brewing Scene

Originally Published: 12/97

By: Harold Sperazza and Medio

For some Capital region beer enthusiasts the first inclination as winter approaches may be to settle down at the quiet and comfortable surroundings of their "neighborhood" brewpub. The less patient disciple continues to seek out new sensory and taste experiences in the region. If snow denotes more than a just convenient medium within which to cool your wort, take the easy two hour ride up to Lake Placid Pub and Brewery at PJ O'Neill's, in Lake Placid. Several GLBN reps attended the Grand Opening and Anniversary celebration at Lake Placid in late October and were treated to a healthy dose of fine quality beer, unaffected brewing culture and a spirited group of hearty local loyalists. Owners Chris Ericson and Chad Cleveland were on hand to welcome the crowd and Brewer Ericson took time out from the celebration to provide a tour of the brewing system. The recently hardened signs of active fermentation dripping down the sides of the stainless steel open fermenters was quite an extraordinary sight for this sanitation-paranoid homebrewer. The line-up of brews were each true to style, distinct and quite noteworthy. The newest addition, a Kölsch, is a crisp and refreshing German ale that was very well received. Other favorites of the group included the Porter, a deliciously well balanced English dark ale with a everlasting creamy head, and of course, the Ubu Ale. This dangerously quaffable English Strong weighs in at over 7% ABV, is thick and rich, almost reminiscent of a finely aged barley wine. "A pork chop in every pint glass", remarked the congenial bartender "Shultzie". Rounding out the selection of fine brews, check out the amply hopped English IPA, the Amber Ale and an English Brown. With an eye on the weather, don't miss an opportunity to visit Lake Placid this winter. It's a relaxing and beautiful trip and the beer and brewpub scene is well worth the effort.

On our recent trip north we stopped by Glens Falls to visit the Davidson Bros. Restaurant and Brewery and sampled several of their newest offerings. With a recent addition of an ESB, and an improved version of an already exceptional stout, the Brothers are now offering seven handcrafted brews complemented by a fine food selection.

Big House Brewing Co. continues to deliver with new styles of brews for Albany beer enthusiasts. An Octoberfest and a Red were well received last month and head brewer Drew Schmidt promises to please with a return of the Dortmunder followed by a Holiday brew and the long anticipated Russian Imperial Stout.

The Original Saratoga Springs Brewpub saw their Octoberfest fly out of the serving tanks last month. From what we heard, it was very good while it lasted. Brewers Blair Potts and Jeff Hughes have also been busy producing new brews. Expect a return of the popular Peach Ale followed by an English Brown and a golden Helles style Bock.

The Troy Pub and Brewery brought back their popular pumpkin. The high gravity brew boasts a spicy sweet pumpkin flavor that is quite unmistakable. For those less inclined, try the "Charlie Brown Pumpkin" with a half a pint of the Brown. Expect a Smoked Bock by the holidays.

Malt River Brewing Co. has added two hand-pumped selections to their list of brews. English-born brewer Mark Slater's influence has already been felt with the addition of two beer engines pumping out several new and improved versions of Malt River's Cream Stout and Maple Porter. Expected soon, a new Golden ale and a Winter brew.

North Country Brewery remains a major player in the recent consolidation of the multinational United Brewers Group and the California based Mendocino Brewing Co. No longer associated with the Nor'Wester, North Country will be changing its company and product names, contract-brewing Mendocino's flagship brew Red Tail Ale, contining to brew several Brooklyn brews and, of course, several of Brian Bush's own special ales and lagers. The Autumn Lager is currently on the shelves and the Winter Extreme is expected soon.

The Van Dyck Restaurant and Brewery seems to be in a perennial holding pattern as head brewer Sanford Fogg has reportedly tendered his resignation and is on the way out. Nothing new on the brew board.

C.H. Evans Brewing Co is slated to open in April '98 in Albany. Owner Neil Evans is reestablishing a family brewing business dating back to the pre-prohibition brewery of the same name that operated in Hudson, NY. Evans will be resurrecting several traditional English-style family recipes dating back to the 1850's. The 10 barrel system and full restaurant will be located in the refurbished Albany Pump Station in Quakenbush Square.

Kobors Brewing and Dist. Co. of Schuylerville continues to make significant inroads into the regional beer distribution and brewing scene. Established in 1994, Kobors features their own handcrafted traditional English Brown Ale brewed at the Cooperstown Brewery, as well as an impressive array of regional and international selections not readily available from the larger local distributors.

Black Bear Brewing Co. continues to offer curious would-be homebrewers the opportunity to brew their own batch of beer under the watchful eye and tutelage of owner/brewer Jim Adams. An interesting and enjoyable afternoon of brewing rewarded by several cases of your own handcrafted beer. Sounds like a great gift for anyone who enjoys a good beer.

The 1st International Food, Beer and Wine Expo sponsored by Antipasto's restaurant in Clifton Park was held on 10/19. Several GLBN staff joined an enthusiastic crowd of over 250 to sample from a extensive selection of fine wines, vegetarian foods and a impressively diverse assortment of beer. Local brews from North Country and Kobors Brewing were on hand along with several Samuel Smith selections, organic brews, imports from Peru and the Czech Republic and the entire line of exceptional Unibroue products. Check out Antipasto's unique presentation of vegetarian dishes, choice wines and excellent brews.

Canadian-based Unibroue's exquisite line of Belgian-style brews were also on display at the Albany Brewfest in August. At both events the Unibroue booth was an overwhelming favorite. Look for a expanded Unibroue presence in the upstate region this winter. Pick up a bottle of Blanche De Chambly, La Fin Du Monde or La Maudite et al. for the holidays.

Another addition to the growing list of good beer bars in the Capital Region, check out Brooklyn's American Grill in the Rotterdam Mall. While not affiliated with NY's Brooklyn Brewery, one can expect to find several Brooklyn products on tap along side 10 other domestic and imported drafts. A fine assortment of over 40 bottles rounds out the selection.

For all your homebrewing supplies, check out Brewing Fools at 164 Jay St. in Schenectady. Family owned and operated, The Hotalings are a friendly and very knowledgeable group always ready to assist with your beer, wine or mead making needs.