| Hello From Upstate NY! by Ellie J. Adams Hello Bob - first let me say how much I enjoy reading your column each month. It's always different and informative. I especially like it when people write in from different parts of the country to explain something going on in their area. That inspired me to write about something going on in my neck of the woods which is upstate New York. Up here the big beer related story has to do with Genesse Brewing's planned expansion. Seems their having a few problems thanks to Mother Nature. Twelve giant - and I mean giant- Genesee Brewery tanks continue to sit in a Hudson River port near Albany, waiting for water levels in the New York Canal System to recede. The massive tanks, part of a $49 million upgrade to one of the country's and definitely the state's oldest brewery, could begin their trek via barge to Rochester whenever the canal level drops but no one is sure when that will happen. The Erie Canal water levels are so high due to the recent heavy rains and storms across all of Upstate New York. The tanks -- 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide -- are too large to travel by truck across the state. The 225-mile barge trip through the canal system, (aka the Erie Canal), will take six or seven days. The barges will unload the tanks near Rochester (where I live), and they will then make their way by truck to the big brewery at the end of town. Genesee's parent company, North American Breweries, is spending $40 million of its own money on the modernization project, which will expand the brewery's footprint, reduce its environmental impact and create what the company calls an "Eco Brewery District." Future phases of the project will add event space and expand the Genesee Brewhouse, the small pilot brewery, restaurant and visitors center adjacent to the main brewery. Those of us in the area see all that as bringing in jobs and more beer tourists. And maybe Genesse will even begin to make some good craft beer too. Some of your readers might not be familiar with Genesse so let me tell you about it. The Genesee Brewing Company, was established in 1878 and has continually been operating since then.. It is truly an important part of the history of beer in my state and the entire nation. Also, of note is that Genesee Brewing is part of North American Breweries, the largest independently owned beer company in the United States. I have to admit that Genesee's line of beers are not really craft -Dundee Ales, Genesee Lager, Genny Light, and the famous - at least around here - Genesee Cream Ale. But they are distributed in 41 states which is a testament to their popularity. In a way, Gennesee is related to craft in that North American Breweies, based in Rochester, owns craft breweries like Magic Hat in Vermont, Pyramid in Washington state, and McTarnahans in Oregon. And for the record Genessee Cream won a gold medal at the GABF a few years ago as did several others including the new Genessee Red in the Vienna-style Lager category. Here's a really short youtube video I found that show the tanks in the Erie canal. I think it will show you exactly why around here we've been fascinated by their historic journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks1wX7L95lg Well, that's it. Hope you enjoyed my report. Thanks Bob. ---------- Many thanks Ellie for sending me your article. I too enjoy it when readers send in articles about their local areas with news that in a way is also national and historic in scope. Your obvious affection of one of America's oldest breweries is well placed. Special thanks for the video link. It certainly put some excellent pictures to your words. Great job! Please write again. I'd like to invite everyone to send me their own columns about anything related to beer in any way just as Ellie did. I select the best and publish them here. So join in and get writing! Cheers! Bob |
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