Cheers to Saranac!

[hops99]

As I sit here drinking a wonderful Saranac Pale Ale, I'm thinking about some of the regional brewers out there that maybe don't get the credit they deserve for putting out a good product. You know, the "old guard" that brewed macro light lagers for decades, then shifted their attention in recent years to the craft business. While I wouldn't drive hundreds of miles to find Saranac, I do think their brews are some of the best values out there; at about $5 a sixer on sale, Saranac's Pale Ale, Black and Tan, Amber, and Black Forest are all very enjoyable brews. I also love the "12 beers of xmas pack" and the trail mix has been a good idea for years.

Some other regionals that have started to brew GOOD beer but might still be known for BAD beer (sins of the past) make me think of Schell in Minnesota, Lion in Pennsylvania, and Point in Wisconsin (although Point's beers are slightly less than good - but still an honorable try).

Cheers to Saranac!

[jlttb]

Cheers! I do like the raw amount of brews Saranac releases-- that Christmas 12 pack is indeed a treat. Though not every one's a winner (I still have some Caramel Porters in my fridge from last year) the rest are usually well done. I like the Black and Tan, and I particularly like the Single Malt!
Saranac's brewed in a beautiful old building in Utica--we passed through last summer, and though we didn't have time for the tour, we stopped in and stocked up on some beers. Very friendly.

[threecb]

The Hefeweisen that they introduced this summer was a very good US example of the style. I like the pilsner, pale and their O-fest was decent, too. I agree that, while not a "top tier" choice for me, they are a step above the "fall back" catagory!

[Saint Patrick]

Hey Fast_Eddy, is it bad for me to say that their Saranac bores me? I live in the cuse' (NY) and had to drink this shite' when it was just coming to fruition ... ugghhh... I'd rather drink Schmidts (the hand girnaides), Matts and ....oh well, I can't think of anything else ... o.k. sorry if I'm in a mood ... I just hate that damn beer ... every pub and bar in the area trys to pawn this garbage off on us inocent people ... perhaps it wouldn't be bad if they didn't test it on us (forever) until they got it right .. I remember at a minor baseball game you could get this for like a $1.00 (to much) ... and they gave you like a pitcher of it .... bad memories I guess ... ok, I know... deep breathes ... I feel like I'm in labor now .. LOL

[newportstorm]

It's not bad to say Saranac is boring. They are for the most part, imo. It's your opinion - everyone's got one. I think their Pale Ale is tasty and though I've never had their Black Forest, I've heard decent reviews of it). Overall, they are inexpensive and they should be.

Their Black and Tan, actually all bottled/canned Black & Tans, I avoid like the plague. Part of the beauty of a black and tan is the proper pour and presentation. You just can't bottle that.

Cheers!

[hopjack13]

i totally agree with you michiganmiked...uh newportstorm he he he..:p how the hell can you call it a black and tan if it's all the same color? ever try that mississippi mud? i think i did years ago , don't remember how it tasted but nothing like a guinness and bass. someone in portland i think was serving dfh 90min black and tans sounded interesting but im not sure how it turned out.....batkins?

[newportstorm]

hopjack, you let my secret identity out!:eek:

I can't imagine tarnishing the beauty of 90 Minute IPA with anything! I'd like to hear how it turned out because I'm not about to experiment with a $3 12 oz. bottle of it. I've had lots of beers topped by stouts. It's hit or miss. Our local brewery (Newport Storm) makes "Perfect Storms" by topping their Amber with Guinness - not bad. The best I've had to date has been Lindeman's Framboise/Kriek topped with Youngs Double Chocolate Stout. Dessert in a glass!

Cheers!

[wortchillergoal]

I used to get 23oz of Saranc Pale Ale for $1.25 at the Blue Tusk happy hour. I think that they are hgood beers for what they are.

Hey St. Patrick check your pm.

[hops99]

Sheesh! St. Pat, You'd rather drink Schmidt's than a Saranac Pale or Black Forest? Interesting choice....

[hopjack13]

hey im with you on the 90min, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
sorry about the identity thing clark ;) but you blew it first on another thread.
the frambiose and chocolate stout sounds amazing i may have to give it a shot, i imagine you'd use the canned dcs? does it have a widget? will it float with out nitrogen?
im probably going to send the ups dude by you house next week, i'll pm you and let you know when he's gunna be there.
cheers

[toneyc]

I had a jug of Mississippi Mud last week. Its not too bad. Its not high on my list, though. Funny, I was reading the bottle: Produced by Mississippi Brewing Company, Utica, New York. I almost choked on the last sip!

:)
Toney.

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by hopjack13
hey im with you on the 90min, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it!
sorry about the identity thing clark but you blew it first on another thread.
the frambiose and chocolate stout sounds amazing i may have to give it a shot, i imagine you'd use the canned dcs? does it have a widget? will it float with out nitrogen?
im probably going to send the ups dude by you house next week, i'll pm you and let you know when he's gunna be there.
cheers

Who is this Clark you speak of? Just kidding ;) I had the Framboise/DCS on tap at a bar in Boston. I would assume you would have to use the canned DCS for the desired effect if making it at home. I've been meaning to make DCS milkshakes for some time now. Soon.....

Ooooo, the big brown truck. Excites me every time it rolls down my street. Let me know of anything on your Christmas list and I'll see what I can do. Otherwise, I can play Santa

Cheers!

[Saint Patrick]

Originally posted by hops99
Sheesh! St. Pat, You'd rather drink Schmidt's than a Saranac Pale or Black Forest? Interesting choice....

Boy I must have been really drunk last night if I wrote that ... I knew I was on a rant ... but those choices might hurt a person.

(I remember when I was a young lad, with my buddy, trying to steal some booze and liquor from his grandfather, he has stacks and stacks of the shcmidts stuff ... we tried it and just about died. We instead enjoyed the liquor --- which we mixed with various refrigerated drinks.

wortchillergoal, I just replied to your pm. Talk to you soon.

[davesarman]

I live in Minnesota and I must give props to Hops99 for mentioning Schell's! (more on them later)

Last year I was at one of the better "paint stores" (I love that term!) in my area and saw the Sarancac sampler. Having never had a Saranac beer before, I picked it up and was quite impressed. Most of the beers were decent, but not over the top. My favorites were the Single Malt and the Scottish Ale, if memory serves.

Schell's has quite a reputation in MN, which is both a blessing and a curse. Most people that are macro guzzlers associate them with the beer they brewed in the 60' and 70's which to be honest was quite lame. In the 80's, Ted Marti, one of the founder's decendants took over and started making some quite good variations on the standard light and lighter brands. The Pils and Wiezen beers were fantastic quality wise and good beers for neophytes to start out with. Since then, they've grown and made more and more varities which most are very, very good. (Thier Dopple Bock was the highest or 2nd highest scoring dopple bock in All About Beer's ratings) They are the 2nd oldest continously operating brewery in the US (behind Yuengling) and their tour is not only beautiful scenery (deer, flamingoes, on a one lane road), but fun as well. There's nothing like going to Bockfest in February in MN with several hundred fellow Schell's fans drinking bock beer, and singing "Ring Of Fire" to the polka band that has probably had more bocks than you! What a brewery!