Something is Happening at Sackets Harbor

We've just returned from a week in the Carolinas, where there isn't much to speak of in terms of interesting beer choices. South Carolina has a 6% ABV cap on all beer sold, and North Carolina just repealed theirs - and it looks like there is still quite a learning curve ahead. There were a few places that we quite enjoyed and perhaps will revisit in this space for your edification, dear reader. Our one "go to" adult beverage over the past week has been Charleston's own Palmetto Pale Ale. We found it quite refreshing and easy to drink, but with a very nice hop bite. In fact, it quite reminded us of Thousand Islands Pale Ale from Sackets Harbor. Our power of recollection is not always without fault, and with an ABV of 6.3% (Palmetto Pale is 4.8%), Thousand Islands is definitely the stronger of the two , but that was our initial association. Perhaps big brother/little brother would be more a more apt description. Anyway, as Sackets Harbor was already occupying our thoughts, you can imagine the excitement when Lew Bryson broke this little bombshell!

Apparently, Sackets Harbor Brewing Company is part of some sort of North Country juggernaut of hotels and restaurants (which also includes hometown favourite Jreck Subs). To this point, they have existed as a brewpub only, and have had their beers contract brewed at Olde Saratoga Brewing. They already have a pretty strong following for 1812 Amber Ale and the aforementioned Thousand Islands Pale, and had a pretty decent run with Funny Cide Light a couple years back. They plan to break ground on the new $4,000,000 brewery this summer, and should have sufficient capacity to take on some contract business of their own, which can only mean good things for CNY and the North Country. In other exciting news, Jim Boeheim has signed on as spokesman for both Jreck's and Sackets Harbor brewing!

To further whet your appetite, here is one man's take on Thousand Islands Pale Ale:

Cloudy orange/bronze color. Has an interesting, though small dish soap head. The head does not stick around on the sides, but does sit upon the top throughout. The smell is a serious hop aroma. Much stronger hop small than most regular Pale Ales. The hops are sweet and floral. There is a hint of pine too, but definite flora. The taste is a sweet and woodsy hops flavor with hit of end-bitterness. Slight malt, but hops rule the brew. There is a thick and creamy feel. Gets a bit milky as it warms up. The carbonation dances on the tongue, sits there after the swallow. The hops are absolutely delicious, but not so bitter that I can't drink several of them.