USA, NY: F.X. Matt Brewing Co. in Utica to expand

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. is looking to expand, UticaOD.com reported on April 18.

The brewery recently purchased several properties, on Edward Street, in West Utica with the aim to set up tanks to expand its capacity, Matt’s Chairman and CEO Nick Matt said.

“We’re planning to add on Edward Street tanks — fermenting and aging tanks — and a small building that would be used to monitor and run all that,” he said of the purchased buildings from 808-830 Edward St.

F.X. Matt Brewing Co. currently brews about 350,000 barrels of beer a year, Matt said.

“As we get to the real peaks (like the fall season), we really are tight on capacity,” he said. “It really is consistent with what’s happening in craft brewing. Consumers are more and more interested in craft brews.”

The expansion could increase capacity between 100,000 to 150,000 barrels, Matt said, and eventually could need a second shift — which means added employment.

The brewery is set to be on the city Planning Board agenda at the next meeting for a zoning ordinance, since last week’s meeting was cancelled.

The zoning amendment is necessary in order to change the current zoning from multifamily residential to industrial, according to the board’s agenda.

Matt said the plan is to demolish the buildings they’ve purchased to make way for the expansion.
He added that he hopes — if things move quickly — to start the project in the fall, but anticipates it’ll more likely be next spring.

Most recently, the brewing company tapped into green energy through its anaerobic digester, which pumps wastewater created throughout the brewing process into digester tanks, then produces methane gas that powers generators.

Overall, Matt said they’re enthusiastic about the growth with the business.

“We’re happy to be in the position where our business is growing,” he said. “We have a lot of loyalty to here and a lot of people are very loyal to us.”

23 April, 2014