Patrick:
As a craft brewery connoisseur of the first order—which is to say “one of those insufferable hops elitists”—I thought you’d get a kick out of this titillating little factoid: “[I]t could be argued Albany significantly influenced American beer and where it is today.”
So declares a well-researched article on Albany.com, which recounts Albany’s “pivotal role in our country's beer industry” from as early as the mid-1600s, with the arrival of our County’s early Dutch settlers. Check out Albany’s Sudsy Past: A History of Beer in the Capital City.
Did you know that New York City has the Capital Region to thank for keeping its mugs full for two decades in the first half of the 19th Century? Apparently, during the 1830s and 40s, NYC’s rivers were so contaminated that beer production was compelled to a halt. Guess who stepped in? Those ancient Albanites, with a product known far and wise as “Albany Ale.” Although towns up and down the Hudson River sprung up with some of their own ales, Albany Ale outshone its neighbors due to its high quality and local flavoring.
Sound familiar?
I can’t help but wonder if one day, in the distant future, an article detailing the history of Albany’s local whiskey concern will be sent to your great-grandkid’s embedded brain microchip. “In 2017, New Scotland Spirits ushered in a new era of liquor excellence defined by locally sourced ingredients and hometown pride. Blink twice to have the Government of Amazon Inc. deliver this delicious OG whiskey directly into your mouth.”
As the article goes on to emphasize, the era of mass-produced beer collided with the rise in popularity of the micro-brew. As you well know, people want choice; they want the freedom to decide which drink suits their particular palate. And, they want something they can drink with pride, be it a triple IPA or a locally sourced vodka. Giving people the catharsis of saying “can I make you an old fashioned? I just bought this whiskey made right here in town!” is the reason we got into this game in the first place.
Anyway, check this article out. I found it pretty inspiring… we’re not the only ones to attempt to quench upstate New York’s thirst for native quality. It reports on the efforts of local beer blogger Craig Gravina and his partner Alan McLeod, who have been working to recreate that historic “Albany Ale” as documented on their website: Albany Ale Project.
Bottom line: Albany’s local beer scene is on-par with some of the best brewing regions in the country, and the Albany Ale Project website will give you hope for a frothy future in our hometown. Check out their Facebook group.
As I type this, I’m purchasing their book “Upper Hudson Valley Beer” (you should buy it, too, because I refuse to lend you anything else after the infamous ping-pong table incident #buyithereonAmazonbecauseyoucantbetrusted).
I’ll leave you with this:
read that article, buy that book, and let me know your thoughts.
I f**king love Albany.
— Jesse