Beer & Wine Archives - Price Chopper - Market 32

International Beer Day

Price Chopper — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

International Beer Day

Today is International Beer Day, and we are celebrating the international drink of getting the weekend started. And it’s Friday, how fitting! Let’s highlight some of the breweries that bless our Northeast region with quality, refreshing beverages for every and all seasons. Not all heroes wear capes, some of them concoct awesome brews.

Brooklyn Brewery – Brooklyn, NY

When good beer is hard to find, sometimes you have to make it yourself. That’s exactly the story of Brooklyn Brewery. In 1988, Steve Hindy took his homebrewing knowledge from his days as a foreign war correspondent and started the business with his friend Tom Potter. Together they hand-delivered the first batches of Brooklyn Lager to a handful of local bars.

Today Brooklyn’s beers now travel to more than half the U.S. and over 30 countries. Brewmaster Garrett Oliver, a James Beard Award winner, and his team brew everything from classic styles to bold experiments, collaborating with their peers across the globe to keep pushing the boundaries of beer.

Popular Brews: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn East IPA, Brooklyn Summer Ale

Saranac Brewery – Utica, NY

In 1985, Saranac 1888, named after the iconic Saranac Railroad, was the first concoction to don the brewery name. The Saranac Railroad line connected Utica to the Adirondacks. Similarly, Saranac’s Utica location connects with the Adirondacks through the tastes and experiences provided by their brews.

In fact, back in 1991, Saranac’s Adirondack Lager was awarded the top premium lager at the Great American Beer Festival, chalking the Lager up as Saranac’s first brewing home run. Naturally, the brewery focused in on making this beer their main priority for the time being.

Today, Saranac Brewery has a plethora of beverages showcasing their name. Blueberry Blonde Ale and S’more Lager are perfect for the essence of summertime. While Pale Ale and Adirondack Lager are two of the company’s year-round staples.

Popular Brews: Saranac Pale Ale, Blueberry Blonde Ale, Adirondack Lager

Stony Creek Brewery – Branford, CT

The pride of Branford, CT, Stony Creek Brewery was rebranded by co-founder Ed Crowley in 2015. Prior to the rebranding, Stony Creek was a small-scale contract-produced craft brand, mainly known for their IPAs named after Connecticut’s two area codes, 203 and 860. Stony Creek became much bigger after their rebrand, and they opened up their first brewery right along the Branford River.

The brewery’s 30,000 square foot size makes it the second largest brewing facility and taproom in the state of Connecticut. One of its unique features is a 2,500 square foot tasting room with 23-ounce glass mugs hanging on the wall behind the bar as part of the brewery’s Mug Club. The “Mug Club” is a way of giving back to devoted customers by giving them “their own little piece of the creek,” according to Ed Crowley Jr!

Popular Brews: Big Cranky Double IPA, Cranky IPA, Stony Joe Mocha Stout

Magic Hat Brewing Company – Burlington, Vermont

Stirring up some mysterious concoctions in the heart of South Burlington, Vermont, Magic Hat is a well-known local brewer. They refer to their brews as elixirs, and their most popular potion is #9. It’s not quite a pale ale, but it runs across your tongue with notes of fruit and floral hop bitterness, bringing an unusual and curious palate. As they say at Magic Hat, #9 asks more questions than it answers. You’ll just have to see for yourself.

Popular Brews: #9, Elder Betty, Circus Boy

Frog Alley Brewing – Schenectady, NY

Frog Alley Brewing is just a short trip down the road from our Schenectady headquarters. As the city’s newest brewing powerhouse, Frog Alley is the key piece of the new Mill Artisan District. This downtown revitalization effort through intriguing new, hip food and drink spots hopes to bring more craft beer lovers and foodies back to the area.

Frog Alley founder JT Pollard put together two of the best brewing minds he could find in Rich Michaels and Drew Schmidt. Michaels and Schmidt used their expertise and years of experience to build Frog Alley’s refreshing, star-powered roster of brews. Included in this list is Mohop #5, a tasty New England IPA with Mosaic hops, featuring notes of mango, stone fruit, and a concoction of more earthy and tropical tones. They also provide Skull Frog, a loud DIPA that is certainly not shy with the Chinook, Columbus, and Simcoe hops.

Popular Brews: Mohop #5, Skull Frog Double IPA, Re4resh IPA

Shop Our Beer Aisle

The post International Beer Day appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

May Cheese of the Month🧀

Price Chopper — Thu, 09 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Haleigh Eustis

Intern, Digital Marketing

May is here, which means nice weather is on its way! What’s better than an iced cold margarita in the summer? What about tequila and lime . . . in cheese form? I know what you’re thinking, tequila and cheddar cheese? But trust me, this delectable combo is equally delicious as it is unique! Henning’s Tequila Lime Cheddar Cheese is a creamy cheese with the bite and tang of a zesty lime, finished with the warmth of tequila.

Henning’s Tequila Lime Cheddar Cheese is the perfect cheese on its own or paired with crackers for a midday snack. Enjoy this cheese with a tangy flavor burst of pomegranate seeds, or with an assortment of cured meats. If you’re looking to sip something with this uniquely flavored cheese, try out a Belgian ale or Chardonnay and enjoy!

The post May Cheese of the Month🧀 appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Happy Octoberfest!

Price Chopper — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 17:55:00 +0000

Happy Octoberfest!

In 1810, Munich, Germany held its very first Oktoberfest festival. Originally a celebration of the marriage between King Louis I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, the annual party has made its way across the world. Now, in the United States, each year we highlight seasonal beers, foods, and activities all in the spirit of Oktoberfest. Here are some of our favorites!

Pretzels: Soft pretzels are a prized possession at Oktoberfest. In 610 A.D., as the story goes, Italian monks made the first pretzels from leftover bread-dough scraps. The twisted knot shape was meant to symbolize arms folded in prayer, and in Europe they became considered a holy food with healing powers. This explains its presence at such a large European gathering. Eventually pretzels made their way to America and we fell in love with them, especially with a Dark Lager, IPA, Brown Ale, or even German Märzen beer! Check out the video below for our Bavarian Soft Pretzels recipe.

German Märzen / Oktoberfest Beer: Speaking of German Märzen, what exactly is it? It’s essentially the beer of Oktoberfest and the style that breweries in the United States refer to as Octoberfest. For a great-tasting take try Samuel Adams Octoberfest. For a tasty, authentic food pairing outside of soft pretzels try Beer Mustard Crusted Pork Loin, Pork Schnitzel, or German Potato Soup!

Würstl or Sausages: Whether it’s Bratwurst, Weisswurst, or any of the many other varieties, sausage is a major player in German and Oktoberfest cuisine. Of course, most often served with a generous amount of mustard and sauerkraut. If you’re looking for the perfect beer to pair with your sausage, a good tip is mildly spiced sausages work well with sweet malt flavors and light hops, compared to the spicier varieties which pair with darker and heavier brews.

Desserts: No festival is complete without dessert. At a typical Oktoberfest celebration, Strudels and Kuchen, the German word for cake, are appropriate. In America, seasonal pies are also fitting for the occasion. All excellent while paired with a nice Märzen!

Pumpkin Beer: Although it’s more American than German Oktoberfest, everything is pumpkin in the fall, including the beer. It’s a signature seasonal flavor that truly brings the essence of October to your tastebuds. We carry a number of different options in our beer aisle. Looking to enjoy pumpkin beer with a meal? We recommend slow-cooked meats, chicken and waffles, or chili. Maybe some pecan or apple pie for dessert. YUM!

Oktoberfest has taken off since the original festival in Munich. It’s inspired many across America and given us a number of awesome seasonal flavors. We love celebrating this annual tradition and hope you join us by trying one of these delicious food and beer pairings. For everything you need to enjoy your own Octoberfest visit your local store, or shop with us online!

The post Happy Octoberfest! appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

National Beer Day

Price Chopper — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000

National Beer Day

For us Norhteasterners, there’s nothing quite like the days getting longer and the sunshine bringing the temperature outside up a few degrees. Luckily for us, one of the most important national days happens to coincide with our great thaw, and that day is National Beer Day! Now if you’re like us, you may celebrate National Beer Day several times a week. But since today is the official day to celebrate, I thought we’d take a peek at a few of best fitting beer styles for the Spring.

Wheat Beer, also known as Heffeweizen and Wittbier

This beer style is primarily known for wheat being it’s chief grain, hence the name. Light and cloudy, examples of this beer range from popular brands like Blue Moon to more regional classics like Allagash White. Many breweries have a wheat beer on their roster, so take a stroll down the beer aisle of your Price Chopper or Market 32 and pick one out. They pair incredibly well with grilled fish tacos, teriyaki chicken skewers and thai food.

Kolsch

A classic style from Germany, it’s an easy drinking golden beer that’s refreshing without being boring. The perfect style to pick-up during a warm spring afternoon, you can find a Kolsch on the roster of many American breweries. Try Canoe Paddler from Leinenkugels or Sweet Spot from Harpoon, both great Kolsch style beers. They pair nicely with most seasonal dishes, but do especially well with pizza and salads featuring goat cheese and pears.

Saison

Haling from Belgium, this style of beer is known for it’s yeasty and sometimes spicy character and amber color. They’re often referred to as farmhouse ales, and they’re the perfect complex flavor profile for our northeaster spring. Luckily, we’re proud to be neighbors to a world class brewery who happens to make one of the finest examples of farmhouse ales. Located in Cooperstown, NY, Ommegang has an oustanding roster of beers, and one of their oringal and best know beers is Hennepin. Pair Saison’s with brie cheese, lemong-pepper chicken wings, and of course, mussels and frites.

Celebrate National Beer Day!

The post National Beer Day appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Beer and Chocolate Pairings

Price Chopper — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 17:58:23 +0000

Beer and Chocolate Pairings

Brandon Carbonare

Calling all beer fans and foodies! Valentine’s Day is around the corner and although we love the traditional heart-shaped box of chocolates and bouquet of roses, why not up your tradition to a Valentine’s Day Experience? We’re talking about beer and chocolate pairings – that’s right, beer and chocolate. Interested? Read all about some of our favorite pairings.

First up, Dogfish Head 60-Minute IPA. This beer has a very unique brewing process, by boiling over 60 different hops for a full hour a pungent, citrusy, and grassy flavor is born. All without being overly bitter. This hop-forward golden amber India pale ale provides piney and citrusy notes with a crisp mouthfeel and slightly lingering bitterness. You can find it year-round, measuring in at 6% ABV with an IBU of 60. With a beer like this, you’ll want to pair it with a spicy or salty dark Chocolate. Elements of spice and salt both pair nicely with the contrasting crispness from the IPA and mellow together with the finishing subtle bitterness of both the beer and the chocolate. There really is no going wrong with this combo and would make for a perfect after dinner treat.

Our 2^nd round is for the pilsner lovers out there. Let’s take a look at Pilsner Urquell! First brewed by Josef Groll in 1842, Pilsner Urquell was the world’s FIRST golden pilsner lager, changing the world of beer forever. Pilsner Urquell’s signature flavor balances sweetness from the triple-decocted malt, and bitterness from our Saaz hops. The thick head of dense, wet foam adds smoothness and seals in flavor and aroma. With a refreshing crispness from natural carbonation, then subtle caramel tones and a clean finish with a pleasing hoppy bitterness. This Czech beer rates a 4.4% ABV and IBU of 40 – pairing perfectly with a medium body dark chocolate. Our chocolate of choice for this beer is dark chocolate truffles. These decadent poppable pearls deliver a uniquely smooth and rich gourmet taste, and there is no going wrong with a smooth dark chocolate center covered in a delicate dark chocolate shell.

Next up we’re going local, to the capital region’s own Brown’s Brewery. Engaging, dark, and bold, Brown’s Oatmeal Stout is an ever-popular ode to the classic English Stout, earning Brown’s the prestigious gold medal at the World Beer Cup. An approachable, easy to drink, rich, and silky-smooth glass of pure delicious indulgence. Coming in at 5.25% ABV and an IBU of 20, this stout pairs with something a little different – coffee flavored dark chocolate. The bold flavors of the stout work perfectly with the just as bold flavor of the coffee beans in the chocolate bar. Give this pairing a go if you’re a true coffee lover.

Staying with the spirit of local, our next beer hailing from Cooperstown, we have Ommegang Three Philosophers. Rich and complex, this tour de force is a glorious blend of elegant Belgian-style quadruple ale and authentic Belgian kriek, its malty depth and gentle sweetness enhanced by sparkling carbonation and a serendipitous touch of cherry. This Beer packs a punch at 9.7% ABV and an IBU of 21. For this beer, we recommend being adventurous. Try some unique varieties of dark chocolate, flavors of cinnamon, cayenne, oatmilk, and more all work with this versatile brew. These pairings can be customized to give you a unique experience every time and allowing Ommegang’s unique beer to really shine.

Now on to our final pairing, we take a look at Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, a Top fermented Blonde Belgian triple, coming in at 9% ABV and an IBU of 19. Unibroue’s Flagship, this beer is medium bodied with a pleasant, lingering warm finish, a fine, sustained, and slow effervescence and a white, creamy, generous head. Brighten up your pairing and your day with orange or citrusy dark chocolate. Delicious velvety chocolate with a hint of orange for a bright and citrusy accompaniment works beautifully with this wonderful beer, you can’t go wrong with the warmth of a Belgian triple and orange chocolate, a match made perfect.

While we may have reached the end of today’s pairings, that doesn’t mean there aren’t more out there. Let us know on social media if you try any of these suggestions or just let us know know if you have a recommendation that would be a great combination. Thanks for sticking around and joining us on our pairing adventure.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Shop Beer and Chocolate Pairings

The post Beer and Chocolate Pairings appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Celebrate with Cheese Pairings!

Price Chopper — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:44:02 +0000

Celebrate with Cheese Pairings!

For many, cheese is a staple when it comes to celebrating, especially during the holidays. Luckily, our in-store delis provide a plethora of tasty cheeses, perfect for pairing with a relaxing drink. We’ve created a list of some of our favorites, each with their ideal beverage pairings. Try these options below and find your new favorite combination!

Vermont Creamery Honey Goat Log: Vermont Creamery Clover Blossom Honey Goat Cheese takes Vermont’s classic, mild fresh goat cheese and blends it with sweet clover honey. The honey pairs perfectly with the tart creaminess of fresh goat cheese. Try it with Barbera wine, Founders All Day IPA or a Belgian Tripel Beer like Ommegang’s Three Philosophers.

Fleur de Franco Brie: A beautiful wheel of French double cream Brie, Fleur de Franco is pleasantly mild and approachable, yet fully flavored with a buttery interior and soft, fluffy rind. Pair it with a sparkling wine, Chardonnay, or a German pilsner like Saranac Adirondack Lager.

Grafton 2 Year Old Cheddar: Fits the classic profile of a New England Cheddar: buttery notes with a bold, sharp tang and a long, nutty finish. The aroma is lactic and bright, with flavors of sweet cream, freshly mown hay, and tangy, cultured milk. Completed by a moderate acidity. Pair it with balanced, full-bodied wines such as Merlot or White Burgundy, or brews such as Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Brown Ale, Brooklyn Brewing Bel-Air Sour Beer, or even Angry Orchard Hard Cider.

Market 32 American Grana by BelGioioso: Made from freshly gathered local raw milk, this premium American Grana Parmesan cheese is allowed to mature a minimum of 18 months on wooden shelves in special caves. During this process, each wheel is hand-turned to ensure proper aging and development of its deep, nutty flavor and granular texture. Try it with bold Cabernet Sauvignon or a bock beer like Shiner Bock.

BelGioioso Creamy Gorgonzola: Handcrafted and aged 90 days in special caves, master cheesemakers hand-rub each wheel with salt and pierce small holes into the rind of the cheese, allowing air to penetrate and facilitate the growth of beneficial mold. This care and craft creates an exceptionally earthy flavor and creamy texture. Cut right through the thin rind and spread on a baguette. Great when paired with a Harpoon Rec League or other light IPA’s.

Any of these ideas pique your interest? Visit us online or at your local store to find all of these pairing items!

The post Celebrate with Cheese Pairings! appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day: What’s the Story?

Price Chopper — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 17:58:11 +0000

Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day: What’s the Story?

Two of the most popular associations with St. Patrick’s Day are beer and the color green. People love to enjoy their favorite brews while celebrating in festive green attire. It’s all well-known tradition. However, what’s perhaps lesser known is the combination of the two that is becoming a St. Patrick’s Day hit!

Green beer is a fun option for some St. Patrick’s Day creativity and Americans have latched on to the idea. It’s super easy to make, and anyone can do it at home. Simply crack open a light-colored beer and add a drop of green food coloring. It doesn’t change the flavor or any of the beer’s characteristics, only its color.

Surprisingly, the idea of colored beer originated a while back. It is said that in 1914, coroner’s physician and eye surgeon Dr. Thomas Curtain first colored beer for a St. Patrick’s Day party at the Schnerer Club of Morrisania in the Bronx in 1914.

Today, the idea lives on, even beyond St. Patrick’s Day. Green Beer Day began at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Participants dye their beer green and commonly begin festivities as early as 5 AM. It’s celebrated annually on the Thursday before Spring Break.

When it comes to choosing the right beer, light-colored brews are best for getting the strongest green coloring. However, if you play around with a darker beer you will see an interesting effect. Stouts and dark beers are too dark to show off much of a green hue, but the head will take on the green coloring and turn the foam green: although it may not last long it’s cool to try.

If you haven’t jumped on the green beer wagon yet, give it a try this year. Not only is it creative and fun, it’s an easy way to find more holiday spirit. Don’t forget to stop by your local store for all things St. Patrick’s Day: we have food coloring and beer, plus lots more festive foods like scratch-made Irish Soda Bread!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

21+. Please drink responsibly.

The post Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day: What’s the Story? appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

True Brew Story Feature: Frog Alley Brewing

Price Chopper — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 14:00:18 +0000

Can’t get enough of local craft beer? We’ve got just the thing! Check out True Brew Magazine, a bi-monthly publication made by local craft beer lovers for local craft beer lovers. In each issue you’ll learn about new local breweries, trending area brews, and all of the major stories and events you need to stay in the loop.

In the current edition, True Brew hops into the story of Schenectady’s newest powerhouse Frog Alley Brewing.

The best part? True Brew Magazine is available for free in select, Capital District NY stores! You can find the full list of locations here!

FROG ALLEY BREWING CO.

LEAPS ONTO THE CAPITAL REGION BEER SCENE

by Erik Budrakey

When you think of most of your favorite breweries, they probably have a story that goes a little something like this: Guy or Gal likes beer. Takes up home-brewing. Starts brewing regularly. Shares beer with friends and family. Friends convince said guy or gal that their beer is the best beer on the planet. Guy or Gal decides to go for it and open a brewery. Brewery starts off small, slowly growing a loyal following. Brewery expands, becomes the toast of the town. And so, on and so forth…

Well, if that defines the path of the typical brewery, then it is safe to say that Frog Alley Brewing Company will not be a typical brewery. Born as the brainchild of local architect JT Pollard, Frog Alley serves as the centerpiece for a larger vision. The brewery occupies the bottom two floors of what is to become known as the Mill Artisan District, a sprawling retail, entertainment, and apartment complex that has now sprung up on Lower State Street in Schenectady, NY.

DESIGNING A REVITALIZATION

The Mill Artisan District project was conceived by Pollard to serve as a multi-use development and is designed with a goal to help revitalize lower State Street and Downtown Schenectady. The 30 million-dollar, soon-to-be completed project will include 74 residential apartments, training space for SUNY Schenectady and their brewer’s certification program, about 20,000 square feet of high-tech office space, and other retailers such as Bountiful Bread and some other yet-to-be named retailers.

As for Frog Alley Brewing Company, upon entering the taproom at the State Street level you are immediately greeted by a very large bar. Okay, it’s a HUGE bar! It features a draft system that has 40 beer taps and seating for more than 30 at the bar itself. It fills up the left side of the entrance while a bar rail with stools lines the right-side room, allowing for patrons to look out over State Street. The large room is split by standing/sitting round-top tables with a large space on the far side that allows for bands, dancing, and events. Venture towards the back/middle of the brewery and you’ll find games such as corn-hole and a giant connect four. Beyond that still and a few steps up brings you to an area referred to as “the landing”, that sits looking directly over the brewery and the canning and bottling lines below. Here, the air becomes thick with the smell of boiling malts and spicy hops. Pretty much the best smell in the world (unless you are hung-over). The Landing serves as a great private event space that allows guests to get the true experience of being in the brewery. Beyond the landing is another large event/education room.

Back in the main bar taproom, the left side of the room is lined by 5 large pods which will eventually serve as mini-tasting rooms for start-up and tenured breweries that contract brew their beer at the Frog Alley brewery. The pods are each ½ inside the taproom and ½ outside of the taproom, making them accessible from the immense patio that lies on the other side. That patio also features ample seating for patrons and event space for private parties and live music.

It’s a huge and aspirational project. And, the fact that it was conceived by a non-brewer might make some business insiders and craft beer traditionalists nervous. So naturally, we felt compelled to get the story. As I am waiting to meet the brewery founder, JT Pollard, I belly up to the busy but comfortable bar and order a Frog Alley Captain Ellis Porter. It’s rich and dark in color, approaching black with ruby highlights. This brew has strong roasted notes of the malt bill balanced perfectly with gently hop notes. This is a Robust Porter that weighs in at 6.4% ABV and 40 IBUs. I should note that Porters are my favorite style of beer and The Captain Ellis comes in as near perfect. Straight up delicious!

Before long, Pollard comes down, joins me at the bar, and we get into a discussion about a non-brewer opening a brewery. We discuss his love of beer and acute awareness of the craft beer category and how craft breweries have helped revitalize down-towns across the nation over the past dozen years. He assures me that he is fully aware of what he doesn’t know about brewing. He eludes that the first thing that he did as his vision for the project became clearer, was partner up with two experienced, reputable, and locally established brewers.

“When I conceived the idea to build a brewery, I knew that I would need to hire the best possible talent that I can find,” Pollard tells me. “As much as I love beer, I really knew very little about brewing beer or the equipment that was necessary to do it at a high level. I needed to build a team that not only knew how to brew great beer, but also understood the process, the equipment, and the logistics of a brewery. Luckily, I found Rich Michaels and Drew Schmidt!”

RICH MICHAELS

Rich Michaels is a very well-known brewer, not just here in the Capital Region, but across the state and much of the nation. He started brewing beer commercially in the Capital District over 25 years ago when, in 1992, he knocked on a on the door of the then Brown and Moran Brewing Company in Troy with a six pack of home brewed beer and asked for a job. The beer was good enough to get him in the door as a brewer. He got started on his brewing career at Brown’s and worked their until the mid-90’s when he departed to become the Brewmaster the formed Big House Brewery in Albany.

In 1997, he left the Capital Region to complete his education in Chicago at the Siebel Institute of Brewing. The Siebel Institute, founded in 1868, is the oldest and most reputable brewing school in the United States. While in Chicago, he met up with a few guys who were working to open a brewery in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After finishing his diploma, he went to work as Brewmaster at Founders Brewing Company. As the first employee, he was responsible for recipe development, brewing and packaging. (Editors Note: Little known fact, Michaels was the brewer that developed Founder Porter. We are not huge on ratings at True Brew Magazine, but Founders Porter is rated 100 by Ratebeer.com, and it’s damn good. Might be a good idea to try Frog Alley’s Porter!)

In 2001, Michaels left Founders and moved south to brew beer at Walt Disney World for the Gordon Biersch Brewery Group. Later, Rich also owned and operated Dutch Ale House, a craft beer bar for three years. Most recently, Michaels worked for FX Matt Brewing Company (Saranac) as the quality and innovation manager. He was responsible for product development, brewing quality and process innovation.

Rich also teaches a brewing program at Schenectady County Community College, which focuses on educating students for successful employment in the craft brewing industry. The program provides brewing knowledge and hands-on training in commercial brewing practices.

It’s safe to say that when Pollard scored Michaels, he scored indeed! “When I first met JT, I thought his vision for this project was a bit of a crazy idea.”, says Michaels. “The concept of an anchor brewery supporting 5-6 other breweries and actually allowing them to pour their beer in their taproom was not something that we have seen here on the east coast. When I met him, I was working at Saranac and running the Brewery Workforce Development program at SCCC. Lots of driving back and forth. I wasn’t actively looking for a change, but the more I got to know JT and understand his vision, the more I became intrigued. In 2017, he showed up at the Craft Brewers Conference in Washington DC and I realized that he was serious and was moving forward with his plan. We got to talk more in depth and ultimately, we agreed for me to come on board as a partner and brewmaster.”

DREW SCHMIDT

Drew Schmidt began his brewing career early on in the Craft Brewing revolution. In 1992 he started as an assistant brewer at Zip City Brewing Company, New York’s second brewpub. In 1993 he left Zip City to attend the Siebel Institute and graduated with a diploma in Brewing Technology.

Upon graduation, Drew moved to the Baltimore area and became the Head Brewer at the Oxford Brewing Company. During this time, the brewery shifted its focus from traditional English style ales to American style beers and quickly expanded to Maryland’s largest microbrewery.

In 1996, Drew settled in Albany where he worked alongside Rich Michaels at the Big House Brewing Company. At the time, the Big House was the largest brewpub in the nation, producing 2,000 barrels of beer in a single location. Drew became known for his IPA at the Big House, and his raspberry wheat beer. After a brief hiatus, Drew returned to brewing as a Shift Supervisor at Olde Saratoga as well as the lead brewer at Mad Jack Brewing Company. Most recently, you could find Mr. Schmidt at Shmaltz Brewing Company in Clifton Park where he acted as the Production Manager. Drew left Shmaltz in 2017 to focus all of his energy to the construction and planning of Frog Alley Brewing Company.

“Rich and I worked together at the Big House in the ’90’s but had become sort-of separate and disassociated for about 15 years. We became reacquainted after I got back to the region and, as he and I got more familiar with JT’s vision, it became a no-brainer for me to come on as a brewmaster/partner as well.” explains Schmidt. “It’s awesome that after more than 25 years in the business that we have circled back and are working together again. We are vested. We are in it! And we are looking forward to turning out some really good beers”

“How would you define your brewing style and what consumers can expect when they come into Frog Alley Brewing?” I ask.

“As far as ‘brewing style’,” Michaels responds, “you’ll find a nice mix of beers that are brewed authentically to style and beers that are experimental and creative. With 40 draft lines, once we get going, you’ll likely see 10-15 creative beers.

“We have a 17-barrel brewing system that allows us to produce our ‘everyday’ beers very efficiently and very consistent, which is important,” says Schmidt. “One thing that enticed Rich and I to get involved with the project was that we knew that JT would invest in top-of-the-line equipment. And he has! Most breweries run at about 65-80% brewing efficiencies. We run at more than 95% efficiency. This leads to us using less energy, less raw materials, and less waste.”

Michaels continues, “While we have a creative side, beer lovers should expect to have a super-premium beer experience here at Frog Alley. When it comes to brewing to style, look for our beers to be technically excellent. Drew and I both possess the knowledge to produce a beer that we know will taste the way that we intended for it to taste”

MORE THAN JUST A BREWERY – A DESTINATION

While Frog Alley Brewing certainly aims to put themselves on the craft beer map by producing consistent and technically awesome beers, the Mill Lane Artisan District, including the brewery, also aim to become a downtown destination for great beer, great food, live music and special events. The brewery has recently hired local special events guru to manage the event and entertainment schedule. AJ Bodden, the brainchild of events such as America on Tap, Saratoga Beer Fest, and scores of other local, regional, and national events over the past15 years, has come on board for Frog Alley as their Business Development Manager and has already led the charge to bringing large crowds into the brewery’s event space. “This space is prime for great events and for live music,” Bodden explains. “Inside alone is designed perfectly for optimal sound and viewing but, once the patio opens in the spring, watch out!”

This summer and fall have been proof-positive that Frog Alley is already making noise as an event destination. The brewery hosted numerous events including live music by Skeeter Creek, Shake-Rattle-Roll Dueling Pianos and Thirsty Thursday’s Country Night. Throw in the occasional paint & sip, cornhole tournament, or local rock band and you’ve got yourself a good time.

“Not only is it a great time,” says Schmidt, “it’s a great time with great beer. It’s been interesting to see how the type of live music that we’ve hosted have influenced the types of fans that we have had in, and the types of fans have influenced the styles of beers that we poured on a given night. Typical non-craft beer drinking consumers are coming in to enjoy the live music and are getting turned on to craft beer while they are here. We’ve found that the older crowds soak up the Pils and the Cherry Wheat style beers while the younger generation is more into IPA’s, Sours, and experimental beers.”

As Frog Alley heads into the winter season, there is no plan to slow down on production, nor on events. Last year the brewery signed on with Saratoga Eagle to distribute their beer and the distributor has come out focused and aggressive with Frog Alley. The brand is all over the Capital Region and is receiving raving reviews for the beer itself. Frog Alley’s brews can be found on draft in about 90 different local bars and restaurants. The brand has also found its way onto store shelve in 16oz cans at retailers such as Price Chopper/Market 32, Hannaford, Stewarts, most local beverage centers and more.

“For events, Frog Alley is hosting a couple of big ones coming up,” says Bodden. On Saturday, January 25^th we’ll be hosting The Frozen Frog. The event is scheduled to be from noon-7pm, but I expect the party to go on into the night! We will be featuring a Limited-Edition Can Release of Morad NEIPA in honor of WEQX legend Jeff Morad. There will be an Ice Bar featuring Frog Alley beers, Tito’s and Casamigos Drinks in the Ice Luge! The patio will be rockin’ with live music on the outdoor stage by Swimmer, SixFoxWhiskey, and Run River North.”

“Then, on Saturday February 8^th we are going to be hosting BREWMAGEDDON BEER FESTIVAL 2020. There will be a VIP hour from 2-3pm and then a general session brewfest. This event will take place throughout the entire brewery including areas not open to the public giving attendees a sneak peek at all the exciting things happening here as well as a chance to drink beer where beer is brewed!”

According to Bodden, BREWMAGEDDON will feature:

40+ Breweries from throughout the Northeast Beer direct from the breweries themselves
Beer poured BY THE BREWERS
Special releases
Food Vendors
Live music by The North & South Dakotas

VIP Tickets are on sale now for $65 and include 1 Extra Hour of Sampling, Mingling and Chatting with the brewers + Souvenir Sampling Glass + a Frog Alley Souvenir + 1 Token for a Pint of Frog Alley Brew in the Taproom. GA Tickets are $45 and include 3 hours of Sampling + Souvenir Sampling Glass.

We’d like to welcome Frog Alley Brewing Company to the great Capital Region craft beer scene and encourage you to take a trip down to Schenectady to check them out. Make an afternoon/evening of it. Check out the brewery, grab a bite to eat and a fresh, local beer, and enjoy innovation. The Mill Artisan District and Frog Alley Brewing are located at 108 State St in downtown. There is plenty of parking behind the brewery.

Hours

Monday: 4-8 pm

Tuesday: 4-8 pm

Wednesday: 4-9 pm

Thursday: 4-11 pm

Friday: 4-12 am

Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am,

Sunday: 12 pm – 8 pm

The post True Brew Story Feature: Frog Alley Brewing appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Our February home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Brooklyn Brewery!

Price Chopper — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 16:00:46 +0000

Our February home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Brooklyn Brewery

We love all things local, and one of our favorite sectors of local food is local beer. There are so many different brews, flavors, and styles, and so many stories to tell! That’s why we’ve embarked on an exciting home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region. Our region is home to some of the best craft breweries in the world, and we’re telling their stories to our craft beer fanatics here on our blog.

Up next: Brooklyn Brewery!

Brooklyn believes that great beer should be delicious, unpretentious, and support the community where it is enjoyed. This belief is engraved within the combination of flavors in its Brooklyn Lager. Toffee, toast, and caramel all unite with a dry-hopped aroma of grapefruit, flowers, and pine to represent the hometown.

Whether it’s at home or on the road good beer is always present at the best celebrations. That’s exactly where Brooklyn’s quirky Rosé de Ville shines. This sour ale harnesses perky raspberries and a tart edge, leading to a satisfying balance of sweet fruit and clean acidity. It’s bright, bubbly finish, and brilliant pink hue leaves your worries behind and lets the good times take over.

Interested in trying some Brooklyn brews?

Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Brooklyn’s craft beer, take home some custom home.grown. coasters and more.

Saturday, 2/1: 11am-2pm at our Warwick Price Chopper

Saturday, 2/8: 11am-2pm at our Market Bistro Growler Station

Saturday, 2/15: 11am-2pm at our Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32 Growler Station

Saturday, 2/22: 11am-2pm at our Altamont Ave Price Chopper

Saturday, 2/29: 11am-2pm at our Newburgh Market 32

Interested in visiting the brewery?

Make the most of everything Brooklyn Brewery has to offer! Visit brooklynbrewery.com/ for taproom hours and menu, info on brewery tours and more.

Brewery House Address: 79 N 11^th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249

The post Our February home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Brooklyn Brewery! appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.

Bud Light Seltzer

Price Chopper — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 20:36:51 +0000

Introducing Bud Light Seltzer: It’s finally here and it’s unquestionably good

An easy-drinking hard seltzer with a hint of delicious fruit flavor. Bud Light proudly makes their hard seltzer through a unique 5-step filtration process ensuring the most refreshing taste possible – a clean finish, with no lingering aftertaste. Natural carbonation and quality ingredients like sparkling water, real cane sugar, and natural fruit flavor create a light and bubbly seltzer. Bud Light Seltzer is perfect for any occasion – enjoy for a casual night at home or an outing with friends.

Each 12 fl. oz. Bud Light Seltzer contains only 100 calories, 5% alc/vol, 2 grams of carbs. and less than a gram of sugar. Enjoy in 4 delicious flavors – Black Cherry, Strawberry, Lemon Lime, and Mango – Gluten free and no artificial flavors. Find at your local Price Chopper | Market 32.

If you like Bud Light, you’ll love Bud Light Seltzer. If you don’t love Bud Light, you’ll love Bud Light Seltzer. Please enjoy responsibly.

Click on each day below to see the locations and times to sample this exciting new item!

January 24th

1:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Bethlehem 1395 New Scotland Avenue, Slingerlands

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Malta One Kendall Way, Malta

4:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Glenmont 329 Glenmont Road, Glenmont

January 25th

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Erie Blvd 2515 Erie Blvd., Syracuse

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Commercial Dr 4535 Commercial Drive, New Hartford

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Glenmont 329 Glenmont Road, Glenmont

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Rome 1790 Black River Blvd., Rome

1:45 PM – 4:15 PM – Altamont Ave 1879 Altamont Avenue, Rotterdam

1:45 PM – 4:15 PM – Route 50 115 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs

2:30 PM – 5:00 PM – Clifton Shoppers World Market 32 15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Cicero 5701 East Circle Dr., Suite 100, Cicero

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Hudson Valley Plz Market 32 79 Vandenburgh Plaza, Troy

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Shaker Road 475 Albany Shaker Road, Albany

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Amsterdam 141 Sanford Farms Plaza, Amsterdam

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Bethlehem 1395 New Scotland Avenue, Slingerlands

4:45 PM – 7:15 PM – Niskayuna 442 Balltown Road, Schenectady

4:45 PM – 7:15 PM – Plattsburgh Market 32, 475 State Route 3, Plattsburgh

5:00 PM – 7:30 PM – Cobleskill 105 Plaza Lane, Cobleskill

January 26th

10:45 AM – 1:15 PM – Amsterdam 141 Sanford Farms Plaza, Amsterdam

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Bethlehem 1395 New Scotland Avenue, Slingerlands

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Commercial Dr 4535 Commercial Drive, New Hartford

11:45 AM – 2:15 PM – Hudson Valley Plz Market 32 79 Vandenburgh Plaza, Troy

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Glenmont 329 Glenmont Road, Glenmont

2:45 PM – 5:15 PM – Route 50 115 Ballston Avenue, Saratoga Springs

3:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Market Bistro 783 New Loudon Road, Latham

4:00 PM – 6:30 PM – Plattsburgh Market 32, 475 State Route 3, Plattsburgh

*Demo dates and times are subject to change*

The post Bud Light Seltzer appeared first on Price Chopper - Market 32.