Hey Grid...Saranac

I was a cubscout when I lived in Utica. Seems crazy to think now, but one time they took us on a tour of Matt's Brewery. Good rootbeer.

 

I'm sorry

 

I don't know anything about Utica, but FX Matt brews a ton of craft beers and this'd be a big loss to that industry as well as potentially killing an entire town.





local news calls it the most toxic situation in country since 9/11

 

Flat out sucks. First this, and then I just read about 60K lbs of lobster lost in a fire in Boston today too.

 

"lost"??? Or overcooked?

 

Fred Matt, vice president of the brewery, told the Utica Observer-Dispatch that two employees had smoke inhalation issues but everyone got out safely. He said the fire could have a serious impact on business because the building houses the brewery's canning operations.

Fire Marshal Raymond Beck said investigators were interviewing people in the area but were uncertain when they'd be able to inspect the building because of the potential of collapse. Large cracks were visible in the four-story structure.

Beck said it's believed that the fire started on the second floor at a machine that puts plastic around six-packs. He said the roof and third floor collapsed.

"There's a high potential the bottle building will be a total loss," Beck said. "Everything has been shut down at this time."

The New Hartford, Whitesboro, New York Mills and Utica fire departments were on the scene.

"We will rebuild. We've been in business 120 years," Matt said. "This is a speed bump."

Mayor David Roefaro said he was preparing a proclamation commemorating the 10th year of Saranac beer when the fire broke out. He said he spoke to Gov. David Paterson about the fire and the governor told him the state will help out with economic development aid or whatever was needed.

Common Councilman Jim Zecca said the brewery is a cornerstone of the city, and the fire was a disaster for the community.

"It's a beautiful facility, and it looks like it's going to be a total loss, from what I can see," Zecca said. "I hope they're going to rebuild and move on from this."

Daniel Gundersen, upstate chairman of Empire State Development Corp., said the Matt brewery is a long-standing Mohawk Valley employer and producer of an "iconic brand."

"We have alerted Gov. Paterson of this tragic event and will be reaching out to this venerable organization to offer our support in helping them rebuild and reclaim their place as one of the country's outstanding specialty brewers," Gundersen said.

 

long live beer