Our Story

A Family Tradition

The FX Matt Brewing Company is the only brewery in America to have three district tours in craft beer:

Our founder, FX Matt, was making craft beers pre-Prohibition (including his West End IPA (AKA Legacy) in 1914)
The “Utica Club” brand was notably crafty for the WWII era, having made a large variety of styles
Finally, we came full circle back to our craft roots when we initiated the Saranac brand in the mid-80’s.

Why does all of this matter? It means we’ve got a whole lot of expertise in the craft space.

A Legacy of Brewing Tradition

1878

1888

1920

1933

1951

1958

1965

1966

1968

1976

1980

1985

1989

1991

1993

1994

1995

2008

2013

2019

Present

Francis Xavier Matt comes to the United States from Germany when he is 19 years old. He went to work for Carl Bierbauer's Columbia Brewery.

F.X. Matt reorganizes the Bierbauer Brewery to form the West End Brewing Co., the smallest of Utica's 12 breweries, with 12 employees and a production of 4,000 barrels of beer annually.

Prohibition is called for under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. The brewery survives by producing Utica Club soft drinks and several other non-alcoholic drinks. Other Utica breweries close.

Prohibition is repealed. The West End Brewing Co. is the first in the nation to obtain a license and the first to sell beer, Utica Club.

The company is passed on to F.X. Matt's son, Walter, whose eldest son, F.X. II eventually joins him. The older F.X. Matt becomes chairman of the board.

Walter Matt sees the need for modern marketing and advertising. The company introduces Schultz & Dooley, the "spokesmugs" of Utica Club, along with commercials featuring the voice of Jonathan Winters, which helped to increase sales by more than 50 percent.

The brewery tour center is opened up to the public.

Matt's Premium is introduced

“The Utica Club is where it really swings” campaign launches.

The Matts Beer Ball wins the hearts of many.

F.X. Matt II is promoted to the president of Matt Brewing Co. on January 4th.

Saranac 1888 is introduced and named after the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Saranac Railroad line that connected Utica to the Adirondacks.

Nick Matt and Fred Matt return to the company as President and Marketing Director, respectively.

Saranac's Adirondack Lager is judged the top premium lager at the Great American Beer Festival. The beer becomes the brewery's main focus.

The first variety pack ever to hit the market is a huge success.

Saranac Pale Ale is introduced.

1888 Tavern Root Beer, later called Saranac Root Beer, is introduced. Two more awards are won for Saranac at the Great American Beer Festival.

The brewery celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Saranac Thursdays. The brewery's packaging operation is heavily damaged by fire.

Nick R. Matt returns to the company as Marketing Director and Legacy IPA is born.

New state-of-the-art brewhouse is constructed, allowing for more capacity as well as expanding capabilities, modernizing the techniques and products produced on-site.

Nick, Fred, and Nick Matt are third and fourth generation currently running the brewery.

Beer Finder