LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Matt
Brewing Company

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those busi-
nesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves through
outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and enduring
commitment to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 125th Anniversary of the Matt Brewing Company; this momentous
occasion will be celebrated with a Gala on Friday, March 28, 2014, at
the Stanley Theatre, Utica, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Matt Brewing Company is an American family-owned brewery
at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Utica, New York; the
company was founded in 1888 by German-born immigrant Francis Xavier
Matt, affectionately known as F.X.; and
WHEREAS, After Prohibition, F.X. Matt, then 74 years old, was joined
by his sons Walter and Frank; Walter Matt, who served as the company
President until 1980, is credited with increasing sales and many build-
ing renovations, including the model brewhouse and Tour Center; and
WHEREAS, Today, under the leadership of the third and fourth gener-
ations of the Matt family, the brewery continues to craft beer to the
exacting standards set forth over a century ago; and
WHEREAS, Nick Matt joined the brewery as President in 1989 and has led
the effort to re-focus the brewery's business; he has guided the devel-
opment of the Saranac brand and successfully led the brewery into new
areas of growth and expansion, including successful line extensions and
seasonals in the Saranac Family, as well as new specialty products; and
WHEREAS, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Fred Matt has been
successful in leading the brewery into new areas of growth and the
development of the Saranac brands; he has been a key member of the
management team since joining the brewing company in 1989; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Fred Matt has been instrumental in expanding the
distributor network, and has successfully rebuilt the sales and market-
ing organization in order to support the explosive growth of the Saranac
brand; and
WHEREAS, True to their German brewing heritage, the Matt Brewing
Company has earned its reputation as one of the country's most respected
brewers of specialty beers; each bottle of its most popular product,
Saranac, reflects a true commitment to the quality and patient attention
that is the signature of the Matt Brewing Company; and
WHEREAS, The second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States,
the Matt Brewing Company is ranked as both the 6th largest craft brewing
company and 12th largest overall brewing company in the United States;
it is also the largest brewery in New York State that is American owned;
and
WHEREAS, The Matt Brewery has produced thirty different beers in its
Saranac line over the past two decades, which include Adirondack Lager,
Black & Tan, Pale Ale, Black Forest, India Pale Ale, Lager, and a
seasonal Belgian White; and
WHEREAS, The Saranac line of beers have been awarded several distin-
guished honors since its inception; in 1991 the Adirondack Lager was
named the top premium lager at the Great American Beer Festival, and at
the 2007 Australian International Beer Awards, both the Pale Ale and
Imperial Stout beers won recognition; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Saranac Pale Ale was also awarded the Silver
Medal in the Classic English Style Pale Ale Division at the 2008 World
Beer Cup; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the Matt Brewing Company's success, recognizes its contributions
to the local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation
to the corporation and its employees, fully confident that, in its
future, it will enjoy the same success which has so characterized its
past; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Matt Brewing Company; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Matt Brewing Company.