I first had Empire Brewing when I went to Syracuse last winter. A big place. Good stuff. But I was surprised when I was in the little town of Hamilton, and there they have several beers on the menu.
David Katleski, owner of Syracuse’s Empire Brewing Co. and
president of the New York State Brewers Association. Speaking to Don Cazentre
of The Post-Standard (Syracuse), he said of the new farm brewery act in June of
2012, “It absolutely green lights Empire’s plans for Cazenovia,” Katleski said.
Empire hopes to break ground on the project on Route 13 just south of the
Lorenzo State Historic Site this fall, with an opening pitched for some time in
2013.
Cazenta reported, “The new brewery would allow Empire to
make and sell beer to more outlets across the state. It’s currently limited to
1,200 barrels a year at the Armory Square brewpub and another 2,800 made under
contract in Brooklyn. The new brewery would likely make an additional 10,000 to
12,000 barrels per year, with an ultimate capacity of 20,000…Among the benefits
for breweries that use New York farm products are access to increased retail
outlets, the ability to operate restaurants and inns on their premises, the
ability to hold tastings and sell beer-related products.”
“We’re proud to have Empire Brewing Co. take the lead as the
prototype for a New York farm brewery,” said Katleski, who already operates a
farm growing the ingredients he will use at the Cazenovia site. And expand they are doing! Their distribution is up and running.
While at the Colgate Inn, in Hamilton, NY I tried the Empire India Pale Ale It came in at 7.2% ABV, so it's not a light beer by any standard. It's an American IPA. It's heavily hopped w/ 6 kettle additions of Falconers Flight. The beer has a very big, floral nose as you might expect. Lots of citrus too!The malt was nice on this beer. Dark golden. Some nice earthy tones to it. Very, very drinkable. I had it with a cheeseburger. Very, very nice.
Also nice to see a local brewer growing!
To read The Post-Standard article click below:
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/new_yorks_small_breweries_win.html