beer Archives - Price Chopper

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

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Our August home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Northway Brewing Company!

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’re embarking on a new home.grown. adventure: to bring you fresh craft beer stories each month from our Northeast region; the best region in the United States if you ask us!

Up next: Northway Brewing Company!

In 2016, Northway Brewing Company bought an old movie theatre and turned it into a brewery. Launched in 2018, Northway was created to celebrate the people and the landscapes that inhabit the Adirondacks. Located right on the edge of Adirondack Park in Queensbury, NY, Northway’s facility features a 50-barrel brew system, 3.5-barrel pilot system, a bottling and canning line, and a 3,000 square-foot taproom.

Northway offers a number of core brands brewed to encapsulate the essence of a relaxing day in the Adirondacks. Of these core brands, Sunrise Session IPA is a favorite! Sunrise is an unfiltered session IPA dry hopped with Mosaic and Mandarina Bavaria hops, creating the perfect combination of hazy and juicy. Perfect Day Pilsner is another tasty brew that has met rave reviews; a classic, German-styled Pilsner, Perfect Day brings Bavarian malts, Saphir, and Tettnang Hops into a beautiful blend. A satisfyingly crisp and refreshingly clean brew that will prove to be the perfect beverage to complement your perfect day.

Interested in trying some Northway brews?

Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Northway craft beef, take home some brewery swag and more.

Saturday 8/3, 11am – 2pm at our Warrensburg Price Chopper

Saturday 8/10, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Shoppers World Market 32

Saturday 8/17, 11am – 2pm at our Glen Street Price Chopper

Saturday 8/24, 11am – 2pm at our Route 50 Price Chopper

Saturday 8/31, 11am-2pm at our Wilton Market 32

Interested in visiting the brewery?

Make the most of everything Northway Brewing Company has to offer! Visit https://northwaybrewingco.com/ for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.

Brewery House Address: 1043 U.S. Rt 9 Queensbury, NY 12801

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

Up next: Paradox Brewery!

This February, or should we say “Febrewary,” we’re highlighting Paradox Brewery. Located on Route 9 in Schroon Lake, Paradox is the home of Pure Adirondack Craft Beer. The brewery was founded in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains and they pride themselves on creating pure, authentic brews with all the tastes and feelings of the area. If you ask the team over at Paradox, they’ll tell you their foundation is the water they use; it can only be found 600 feet below the Adirondack Park. Water so pure it needs no filtering or treatment before being brewed!

The beginnings of Paradox date back 30 years to when President and Founder Paul Mrocka fell in love with brewing while stationed in Germany as an Army Pilot. Mrocka began brewing for family and friends around Paradox Lake, and those lucky enough to know where to go on the lake could go share a beer with him. Mrocka became fairly well-known for his beer and in 2013 eventually received enough encouragement to open the brewery in Schroon Lake.

When following the Paradox Brewery Beer Trail you will find a wide variety of unique, and tasty Adirondack Beers. Check out their core beer selection including Paradox Pilsner, a crisp and highly-drinkable cross between a Czech and German style lager. Also, definitely don’t forget their Off Trail Series, where Paradox enjoys trying new ingredients and different ideas. Off Trail brews include American Wheat, a beer full of wheat, with esters from their house yeast blend, white wine, and a hint of lemon character. American Wheat brings lots of hop flavors and aromatics. Paradox also offers a menu full of seasonal brews and bottle releases.

Interested in trying some Paradox Brewery brews?

Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Paradox Brewery’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.

Saturday 2/3, 11am – 2pm at our Lake Placid Price Chopper

Saturday 2/9, 11am – 2pm at our Malta Price Chopper

Saturday 2/16, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32

Saturday 2/23, 11am – 2pm at our Amsterdam Market 32

Interested in visiting the brewery?

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

Brewery & Taproom Address: 154 Route 9 Schroon Lake, NY 12870

Up next: Brewery Ommegang!

Looking for tasty Belgian-Style brewing in the beautiful Northeast? Look no further than Brewery Ommegang, located in Cooperstown, NY. Ommegang began creating these Belgian brews back in 1997, in a building that was built to replicate a Belgian farmhouse. The brewery has grown rapidly since its early days: In 2005 they were struggling to meet demand, so they added 40% more to their production capacity over the next year. These days, the brewery distributes its beer to 46 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus the District of Columbia. They also export to Canada, Mexico, the US Virgin Islands, and recently France!

Ommegang provides a unique variety of thirst-quenching ales, including their Game of Thrones series of beers, paying homage to the Emmy Award-Winning Show. The latest in this series is Bend the Knee, a golden ale with a frothy head. It mixes maltiness and citrus flavor, and finishes strong with a firm bitterness from hops. They also offer a range of other ales from dry-hopped pale ales to refreshing wheat ales and everything in between!

Interested in trying some Ommegang brews?

Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Brewery Ommegang’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.

Saturday 1/5, 11am – 2pm at our Cooperstown Price Chopper

Saturday 1/12, 11am – 2pm at our Wilton Market 32

Saturday 1/19, 11am – 2pm at our Johnstown Price Chopper

Saturday 1/26, 11am – 2pm at our Clifton Shoppers World Market 32

Tune in next month for our February Brewer of the Month!

Our December home.grown. Brewer of the Month: Stony Creek Brewery!

Next up to the plate: Stony Creek Brewery!

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, which launched in February 2015, and they opened up their first brewery right along the Branford River.

We’re proud to team up with the great people over at Stony Creek and we look forward to showcasing their crafty creations, today and in the future

Interested in trying some Stony Creek brews?

Check out our in-store tasting schedule below to sample Stony Creek’s craft beer, take home some brewery swag and more.

Saturday 12/1, 12pm – 3pm at our Bethlehem Price Chopper

Friday 12/7, 5pm – 8pm at our Wilton Market 32

Friday 12/21, 5pm – 8pm at our Clifton Shopper’s World Market 32

Saturday 12/22, 12pm – 3pm at our Malta Price Chopper

Saturday 12/29, 12 pm – 3pm at our Market Bistro (Latham)

Interested in visiting the brewery?

Make the most of everything Stony Creek Brewery has to offer! Visit stonycreekbeer.com for taproom hours and menu, get info on brewery tours and more.

Brewery & Taproom Address: 5 Indian Neck Avenue, Branford, CT 06405

Happy Hour Just Got a lot Closer! craft_beer

It’s American Craft Beer Week and we’re celebrating! We’re proud to team up with local craft brewers in each of our Northeast states, bringing some of the best regional tastes to our stores. Thanks to their continuous hard work and brewing efforts, this exciting week can be celebrated the right way: at home in the Northeast. Happy Hour just got a lot closer! Check out some of our featured local brewers below. Genesee Brewery, Rochester NY genesee

We’ve been teaming up with the folks at the Genesee Brewery for over 40 years! Located in Rochester, NY, Genesee Brewery was founded in 1878 and has since become one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the country. Genesee Beer is brewed with six-row barley, malt, corn grits, and hops from the Yakima Valley. They offer classic varieties such as Genesee Cream Ale, Genesee Light, and the newly introduced Genesee Ruby Red Kolsch. Susquehanna Brewing Company, Pittston PA

Located in Pittston, PA, at Susquehanna they live and work by the slogan “Brewed Right,” pointing out their drive to make delicious beer, the correct way for their Northeast Pennsylvania customers. If you’re ever in the Scranton area, pull up a seat at the brew house tasting room to sip some Pennsylvania beer while it’s being brewed in front of you! Woodstock Inn Brewery, North Woodstock NH

North Woodstock, NH is home to one of the premier breweries in the state: The Woodstock Inn Brewery. Woodstock Inn was the third brewery to open in New Hampshire, and since then has grown into a 37-barrel production facility, home to two dozen year-round and seasonal brews. Raspberry Weasel Wheat Ale and Last Chair Ale are just a couple of the many delicious options that Woodstock has available for the season. Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford CT

Two Roads was created by four friends who made it their goal to start a craft brewery. Located in Stratford, CT, Two Roads focuses on putting unique spins on classic beer styles, striving to make each taste their very own. Paste Magazine named the brewery one of the ten best in America. Not to mention, their beer has won many awards of its own, including their Belgian Style Lambic Ale at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival! Druthers Brewing Company, Saratoga Springs NY

Druthers Brewery was assembled in 2012 and has quickly become a popular destination in Saratoga Springs, NY. The brewery contains a 10 barrel brewing system that supplies the beer. Druthers offers an ever-changing and updating beer menu, however, their seasonal brews are always a hit. For this time of year, try Brevity Wit, a Belgian-style wheat beer spiced with sweet orange peel and coriander. Made with 40% wheat, the flavor is fruity, light, and refreshing for thewarm weather. Berkshire Brewing Company, South Deerfield MA

Berkshire Brewing Company was founded in 1994 in South Deerfield, MA. Their goal was to continue the tradition of high quality craft beer in the region, something they have definitely accomplished. See for yourself by trying their classic beers like Drayman’s Porter, a sweet, dark-ruby brown ale with hints of chocolate malt and mocha, topped off by a hop bitterness. Or drink for the season with a Gold Spike Ale, a pale golden ale with a crisp, clean malt flavor, perfect for the transition from spring to summer. von Trapp Brewery, Stowe VT

Inspired by brews from the Austrian countryside, von Trapp Brewery in Stowe, VT, puts an American twist on these mouth-watering tastes. Opened in the spring of 2010, von Trapp now brews approximately 50,000 gallons of beer each year, available year round and seasonally. Bohemian Pilsner, a two-time award winning beverage, has a spicy citrus flavor, combined with a dry, peppery finish. Also available, Kolsch Style, an ideal summer ale that experiments with German hops to create an enjoyable, hoppy adventure. Enjoy American Craft Beer Week and celebrate our local brewers with us! We love bringing these tastes to our stores and hope to continue working with these partners for the long haul. In the meantime, remember to enjoy responsibly. Cheers! We had fun following the Genesee Brewery beer tanks as they traveled along the Erie Canal, passing through our canal town stores in New York! team collage gb

Teammates from our Main Office watched the tanks leave lock 8 in Rotterdam to kick off our tracking, and then Amsterdam, Palatine Bridge, Little Falls, North Utica, Rome and Clay store teammates visited their local lock to #toastthetanks as they headed towards their Rochester destination. Folks in canal-side communities from Albany to Rochester have flocked to their nearby lock to toast the massive tanks, snapping photos with Genny brew in hand and celebrating one of New York State’s most historic transportation systems. Drone users joined in on the action too: check out this cool video of the tanks floating through Fort Hunter, shared with us by Doug J. who shops at our Amsterdam store! After a long journey across the state traveling at about 5 miles per hour, the barges will finally reach their permanent home at the Genesee Brewery this week. It’s been an exciting journey to follow! Cheers to our friends at Genesee, New York’s oldest brewery, and the Erie Canal, which first opened almost 200 years ago in 1825! To take a look back at some of the action, follow us on Instagram @pricechopper. gb barge

As winter has come to an end, and we are finally able to escape our homes and hideouts for some sunshine and fun, Price Chopper would like to kick off the warm weather by inviting you to join us at the Growler station. There’s lots of fun to be had this time of year, why not let your taste buds in on it too? Growler_1200x628

Join us for a tasting of the following beers to bring home with you this spring! May 12th & May 13th magic hat

Far from your average IPA, Big Hundo is an Imperial IPA filled with hops for the ultimate taste of bitterness! Topped off with a heady aroma and dark golden body Big Hundo is the perfect way to hop into your weekend! Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

Friday, May 12
- Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 4-6 p.m.

Founders Rübæus is a Fruit/Vegetable beer known for its unique raspberry taste guaranteed to bring flavor! The use of fresh raspberries at all stages of the brewing process make this beer a necessity for the upcoming spring months! Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

Friday, May 12
- Saratoga Springs (#158): 12-2 p.m.
- Wilton (#39): 3-5 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 13
- Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 12-2 p.m.
- Market Bistro (#138): 3-5 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 6-8 p.m.

May 19th & May 20th paradox brewery

Paradox Beaver Bite IPA brings the perfect blend of malt and hops creating this tasty Northeast Style IPA. Brewed by Paradox Brewing Company in Schroon Lake, NY Beaver Bite provides a close to home option with a bit of pine character. Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

Friday, May 19
- Wilton (#39): 12-2 p.m.
- Saratoga Springs (#158): 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 5-7 p.m.

Saturday, May 20
- Shopper’s World Market 32 (#112): 12-2 p.m.
- Market Bistro (#138): 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
- Bethlehem (#159): 5-7 p.m.

May 26th & May 27th

Effortless Grapefruit IPA, appropriately named for the drinking experience it provides, comes from the Saint Lawrence Brewing Company. Effortless Grapefruit IPA is a smooth, hoppy beer combined with a natural grapefruit taste making it the ideal spring time refreshment! Come and sample this beer on the following days at our Growler Stations:

Friday, May 26
- Wilton (#39): 5-7 p.m.
- Saratoga Springs(#158): 5-7 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 5-7 p.m.

Saturday, May 27
- Clifton Park Shopper’s World (#112): 11:30-1:30 p.m.
- Market Bistro (#138): 2-4 p.m.
- Bethlehem (#159): 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Cheers. As always, please enjoy responsibly! — Written by Jon Waiksnoris, Marketing Intern This upcoming Sunday, enjoy some of the best party-ready recipes out there! Beer is always a fan favorite, no matter what team you’re rooting for! In addition to the familiar brand name beers, craft beers have become increasingly popular, and are certainly delicious! Here are some tips to match with the food being served at your party. Principles of Matching Beer with Food

Strongly-flavored foods demand assertive beers. With beer, flavor intensity involves a variety of qualities such as alcoholic strength, malt character, hop bitterness, sweetness, richness and roast flavors.
Combinations often work best when food and beverage share some common flavor or aroma elements. The nutty flavor of English-style brown ale and a handmade cheddar cheese are always a go-to combination!
Consider sweetness, bitterness, carbonation, heat (spice) and richness. Specific characteristics of food and beer interact with each other in predictable ways. Taking advantage of these interactions ensures that the food and beer will balance each other, creating a desire for a taste of the other.

Serving Suggestions and Beer Pairings

Chicken Wings: Wings come in many flavors and styles.
- Traditional Hot Wings are spicy and hot. An American Pale Ale or an IPA (India Pale Ale) will work nicely to cut through the spicy heat. Try Sierra Nevada Pale Ale for a great taste!
Pizza: Classic for all parties, especially when there is a big game involved!
- American Amber Lager with pizza, go with a Brooklyn Lager.
- American Amber Ale….try Long Trail Ale or rapidly growing in popularity, Adirondack Bear Naked Ale.

Chili: Perfect for warming up fans during the big game. Chili tends to be a football recipe staple and for good reason – it’s quick to make, a safe bet when you’re having a crowd over and you can drink great beer right alongside. Because Chili offers such an array of flavors (beef, chicken/turkey or pork, beans, and spices), almost any beer will pair well with it.
- For Stout, try a local favorite such as Brown’s Oatmeal Stout.
- For an Abbey Ale it’s a no-brainer. Check out an Ommegang Abbey Ale brewed in nearby Cooperstown, NY

By Morgan Valachovic & Sarah Palmer As December’s craziness begins to trickle down, we gather with family, friends and pets to remain warm, as we get “snowed in” with abundances of food & drink! With just a couple weekends left in 2016, we invite you to close the year with us at the Growler station. After all, our hearts are filled to the brim, why shouldn’t our glasses be? Join us for a tasting of the following beers to bring home with you this holiday season! Oh and check out this week’s ad for a $5 OFF coupon, good for any New or Refill at the Growler Station. December 22^nd & December 23^rd Ommegang Rare Vos is a Belgian style Amber Ale that is brewed with sweet orange peel and grains of paradise to give you a mellow and spicy taste! Ommegang Brewery is based out of Cooperstown NY, not far from one our Price Chopper locations! Sample and enjoy this beer at our Growler Stations the following days:

December 22^nd
- Loudonville Store (#138): 2-4 p.m.
- Bethlehem Store (#159): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
December 23^rd
- Clifton Park Shopper’s World (#112): 4-6 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 4-6 p.m.
- Saratoga Springs (#158): 1:30-3:30 p.m.
- Wilton (#39): 4-6 p.m.

December 29^th & December 30^th Genesee Brewhouse Black IPA is noted for its notes of caramel with a combination of roasted and black malts. Its bitterness is balanced with hops from East Kent. With its dessert notes, it is guaranteed to add some warmth to a cold winter evening! Come and sample this beer on the following days at our Growler Stations:

December 29^th
- Loudonville Store (#138): 4-6 p.m.
- Bethlehem Store (#159): 4-6 p.m.
- Malta (#184): 4-6 p.m.
December 30^th
- Wilton (#39): 4-6 p.m.
- Clifton Park Shopper’s World (#112): 4-6 p.m.
- Saratoga Springs (#158): 4-6 p.m.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! Cheers. As always, please enjoy responsibly!