My first feature article for New York Cork Report came out today.

I was originally asked by Lenn Thompson, my editor, who I’d like to write about in the NYC beer scene–I chose Kelso of Brooklyn.  I’d heard the tales of brewmaster Kelly Taylor; what a great guy he was, how he made the beer for Kelso, for Heartland Brewery, and had done the contract brewing for Six Point Craft Ales.  I’d tasted his beers for years but had never met the man, himself.

Little did I know, he is running one of the largest breweries in New York State.  And right in Brooklyn.  I was inspired by the commitment of one man’s passion.  Click here to read the piece:  Kelso of Brooklyn’s Kelly Taylor:  The Beer Maestro of Brooklyn

And here’s a little video I made to wet your whistle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHI7-msp7iI

FX Matt Brewing Company

Many beers we know and love are actually brewed by “contract brewers”, who can be hundreds of miles or even entire states away.

“What?! What?!”, you say, “but that’s my hometown beer!”

Now, I hear you and I was surprised to learn this too, but its actually quite common.

A brewery that hires another is called a “contract brewing company”, while the one hired to do the brewing is called the “producer-brewery”.  There are a number of reasons to hire a contract brewer, but its mostly because of the large production demands that cannot be met by small craft breweries.

In New York, the FX Matt Brewing Company (Saranac) brews a number of beer brands we’re familiar with.  Based in the Adirondack Mountains of Utica, NY, they are the fourth oldest family-owned brewery in the country.

Some of the beers they’ve brewed over the years include the following:

• Brooklyn Lager
• Harpoon Ale
• New Amsterdam Amber Beer
• Pete’s Wicked
• Newman’s Albany Amber
• Dock Street Amber
• Olde Heurich

And in honor of JD Salinger, who passed away today, I ask you to do a limited release of my Catcher in the Rye beer.

Come on, FX Matt, what do you say?  Throw a guy a bone.  Mr. Salinger would have wanted it that way.