Thoughts on Matt Brewing Co. beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Qwest_35, Mar 13, 2013.

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  1. Qwest_35

    Qwest_35 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2013 Florida

    Being originally from upstate NY, I have sampled quite a few offerings from these guy's. I was wondering if anybody here on BA enjoys Saranac? They don't have really any world class brews but the ones I have had were pretty decent. Whenever I'm back up there visiting family, I always load up the fridge with this stuff. It could be a hometown bias, but I feel they are a little underrated.
     
    #1 Qwest_35, Mar 13, 2013
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  2. hefehead12

    hefehead12 Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2010 North Carolina

    I love their Black Forest. Wish they sold it in six packs and not just in their mix packs.
     
    #2 hefehead12, Mar 13, 2013
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  3. DarkDragon999

    DarkDragon999 Maven (1,331) Feb 13, 2013 Rhode Island

    Most of their beers are bland, thin, and watery. They probably have one of the least hoppiest IPAs and Pale Ales I have ever had. That being said, they do have a few decent beers. Red IPA, Big Moose Ale, Black Forest, and White IPA come to mind and their Lemon Ginger is an underrated saison. I do look forward to their seasonal variety packs though. Their beer is very easy to find in the northeast.
     
    #3 DarkDragon999, Mar 13, 2013
  4. Qwest_35

    Qwest_35 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2013 Florida

    I agree with DarkDragon, on the hoppyness scale they score low, but for first time craft drinkers that could be a good thing.
     
    #4 Qwest_35, Mar 13, 2013
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  5. DarkDragon999

    DarkDragon999 Maven (1,331) Feb 13, 2013 Rhode Island

    Yeah Im not a hop head myself so I like their IPA and Pale Ale actually. White IPA is funny because its way hoppier than their other beers so I was shocked how hoppy it was when I first had it. The best thing about Saranac are their seasonal variety packs.
     
    #5 DarkDragon999, Mar 13, 2013
  6. Qwest_35

    Qwest_35 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2013 Florida

    It's Saranac that lead me to search out other craft brews for sure, I mean they have been around forever it seems like, I think they were founded in the 1880's or something. When you live in the boondocks, and this is everywhere, it could be worse is what I'm saying. I mean it was either that or Genesee!
     
    #6 Qwest_35, Mar 13, 2013
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  7. Str8ShooterEsq

    Str8ShooterEsq Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2010 Maryland

    After suffering through several Matts beer balls in college in the early 80's, I don't think I could touch anything brewed by Matts again.
     
    #7 Str8ShooterEsq, Mar 13, 2013
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  8. Treyliff

    Treyliff Grand Pooh-Bah (5,025) Aug 10, 2010 West Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Saranac 6ers are only about $0.50 more than bud light in my area so I buy them during the summer for camping/festivals. Easy drinking beers with just enough flavor.
     
    #8 Treyliff, Mar 13, 2013
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  9. sliverX

    sliverX Maven (1,459) Oct 5, 2007 South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

    They can some things and it isn't expensive so when needed its good.
     
    #9 sliverX, Mar 13, 2013
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  10. Stinkypuss

    Stinkypuss Initiate (0) Apr 7, 2008 Pennsylvania

    I've had at least 20-30 offerings from Matt's. I recently bought a 12 pack at the local grocer, and I had the porter , red IpA and Belgian pale. All respectable but like Saranac as a whole , it pertains to my philosophy, a jack of all trades makes a master of none.
     
    #10 Stinkypuss, Mar 13, 2013
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  11. jmgrub

    jmgrub Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2010 California

    They get lots of hate here, but they are definitely a "gateway brewery" for many. Some BAs seem to forget where they came from beerwise.
     
    #11 jmgrub, Mar 13, 2013
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  12. BottleCaps80

    BottleCaps80 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2013 Iowa

    Disgust.
     
    #12 BottleCaps80, Mar 13, 2013
  13. jaIsPoAn

    jaIsPoAn Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2012 New York

    They suck
     
    #13 jaIsPoAn, Mar 13, 2013
  14. mborden

    mborden Zealot (653) Jan 28, 2009 New York

    Two words: Caramel. Porter.
    For some reason, whenever that seasonal rolls around, I REALLY look forward to it.
     
    #14 mborden, Mar 13, 2013
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  15. ColdOne

    ColdOne Maven (1,346) Jan 19, 2013 New York
    Trader

    I used to be into it, but at some point I started to detect a sourness to their beers that would just linger on my tongue. And not the good kind of sourness.
     
    #15 ColdOne, Mar 13, 2013
  16. kell50

    kell50 Pooh-Bah (2,334) Jul 25, 2007 North Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    White IPA is a solid beer. Business wise.. Saranac is booming! Their newer beers have really improved over the passed few years. Definitely give them a shot.
     
    #16 kell50, Mar 13, 2013
  17. DrStiffington

    DrStiffington Grand Pooh-Bah (3,740) Oct 27, 2010 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Like the white IPA and I've enjoyed many of their beers over the years. I'll occasionally try something new of theirs but really I have so many other beers/ breweries I like better that I don't get too much of their stuff anymore. I did meet the owner once and he seemed like a good guy who is genuinely into his beers.
     
    #17 DrStiffington, Mar 13, 2013
  18. fx20736

    fx20736 Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2009 New York

    Saranac Pale Ale was a big gateway beer into American Craft brewing for me. Black Forest is their best beer. White IPA is decent. Most of the rest is mediocre.
     
    #18 fx20736, Mar 13, 2013
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  19. Qwest_35

    Qwest_35 Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2013 Florida

    Can you consider it a gateway beer if it was your first beer that you snuck out of your grandfathers fridge to drink in the woods? If so, I can say it is..
     
    #19 Qwest_35, Mar 13, 2013
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  20. ForbesyTVB

    ForbesyTVB Initiate (0) Feb 20, 2013 New York

    Three words: High Peak Series. If the Pale Ale and IPA isn't hoppy enough try the High Peaks Imperial IPA.
     
    #20 ForbesyTVB, Mar 13, 2013
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