1999: When I worked for LexisNexis, I went to Utica, New York for a business trip that included a two-night stay.
Needless to say, the best hotel in town wasn't the Four Seasons. At the time I wasn't aware of the Matt Brewing Company.
Matt brews the more contemporary Saranac Beer. I could have gone to the brewery after my work day of training attorneys on executing legal research on a fun brewery tour, but to no avail.
Instead, I drove out to the local suburb of New Hartford that my mother (who grew up in Syracuse) told me about and found little excitement. Not much going on in Utica...why I didn't know about Matt Brewing Company then is beyond me!
2000: Stango and I drove through Utica to enter the Adirondack State Park, and I shopped at a Kmart for a last-minute bathing suit.
2009: Sat next to a guy at a Phish show wearing an original vintage Utica Club delivery shirt. Nice specimen! Thought I might procure a similar one on Ebay, to no avail. Sadly I didn't take his photo.
2010 (January) The New York Times features Utica's Union Station, which still stands.
2010 (summer): Meet older gentleman in former community house in town of Bloomingdale, NY who runs antique store. He grew up in Utica and grew up drinking this beer.
He didn't like big city life and married a girl from the Adirondacks where he raised a family and retired. He had his wedding ceremony in this community house (looked like an old social hall) 50 years earlier.
He didn't like big city life and married a girl from the Adirondacks where he raised a family and retired. He had his wedding ceremony in this community house (looked like an old social hall) 50 years earlier.
2010 (fall): Phish performs a show in Utica at Utica War Memorial.
Trey Anastasio mistakenly mentions "Genesse beer factory" which is an old beer from Rochester but meant "Matt Beer Factory" in "Cities"
2011, 2012: Look in many stores in Adirondacks for Utica Club, to no avail, it is not found.
We bought a Genesse beer instead and I used it in my cholent last week.
We bought a Genesse beer instead and I used it in my cholent last week.
I know there is something brewing with Utica Club, I just can't say exactly what!
Indeed, I just learned that.moe, a jam band I have never seen perform, (but have listened to a bit and like) is playing near Utica this weekend, sponsored by the Matt Brewing Company. Last weekend they played at the brewery itself.
Smith Opera House
82 Seneca Street
Geneva, NY 14456
315-781-LIVE
You can get tickets here
No comments:
Post a Comment