LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk Adirondack Brew By Anne Brewer and Angela Smith Beer, it seems, is a good idea. Craft beer, it seems, is an even better idea! With all the new micro breweries popping up all over the park we decided to visit a few and to pique your interest with a little "taste" of what is being brewed up in the Adirondacks. It is clear that New York's craft beer industry is booming, and that the farm brewery legislation is creating new opportunities for brewers. A hundred years ago New York State was the largest hop growing area in the country. In 1880 New York produced 21 million pounds of dried hops. Then along came prohibition; the price went from a high of $1/ pound to 5 cents overnight, and most of the hop vines were pulled out of the ground. Today, American hops are grown mostly in Washington and Oregon. But for New York State growers, there is excellent potential for marketing to over 160 breweries around the state, with another 100 or so in the planning stages. To satisfy local demand alone, It is estimated that New York should grow another 400-500 acres of hops. Growing 10-15 acres of hops potentially provides a good income. It costs about $12,000 per acre to get started. That includes labor, plants, trellises, irrigation, and three years of patience for the vines to produce a full crop. In spite of the costs and labor involved, many farmers are trying their hand at growing specialized crops including hops, barley, and wheat to supply New York's thriving craft beer industry. The Adirondacks have embraced this booming business, with several new craft breweries opening up for business in the past two years. We already have a few established breweries like Adirondack Brewing in Lake George, Great Adirondack Brewing Company in Lake Placid, and Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, all successful in creating great beer. We would, however, like to introduce a few smaller craft breweries that are just getting started. Ausable Brewing Company 765 Mace Chasm Rd Keeseville, N.Y. 12944 www.tumblr.ausablebrewing.com When the Ausable Brewing Co. opened in August in Keeseville, it became the first true Farm Brewery to operate within the Adirondack Park. About 45 of the 160 breweries in N.Y. are operating under the state's farm brewery license, which offers incentives for using a percentage of local New York-grown ingredients. Some of those farm breweries buy New York ingredients, while others grow at least a portion of their own. Brothers Dan and Dylan Badger plan to grow most of their own beer ingredients on their 140-acre farm, including one acre of hops, five acres of grain, and two acres of fruit trees, edible flowers, and herbs that will be used to create their signature beers, sodas, and ciders. Seasonal and limited edition beers and sodas are an important part of the Badgers' business model. "Our clients are used to getting seasonal products from local farmers and markets, and they are looking forward to having their brewers play around and come-up with something different each week," says Dylan. Seasonal beers such as the Belgian style Lambics made from blueberries, cherries, or currants taste best when the fruits are picked fresh at the peak of ripeness. Sodas are also a great vessel to showcase seasonal products, such as wild-foraged sarsaparilla and dandelion, and farm grown anise-hyssop and burdock root used in their all-natural root beer. Ausable Brewing Co. is capable of producing 150 gallons of beer per week. Certain signature beers will be available year-round. including Plowman's Lunch, a hoppy version of a German style Pilsner; North Country Common, a play on California Common from San Francisco; and an IPA and a Double IPA aptly named Face Cord and Full Cord. Beer enthusiasts can visit the brewery's tasting room on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons and at the Keene Valley farmers' market on Sundays. John DiGiacomo

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