Black Rooster Maple: How it All Started!

Folks are loving the goodness from Black Rooster Maple Farms. And for good reason -- these are hand crafted products from a family that cares deeply about what they do.

Here's more Kristy Bassarab, who founded Black Rooster with Kirk and Ryleigh Bassarab..

“We started maple sugaring about 8 years ago with twelve taps in our backyard. That one season is all it took for us to be hooked!

The following year we ordered some Rhode Island Red hens and we noticed one of the chicks looked like a different breed. 

He ended up being a white crested polish rooster. He had some crazy feathers on the top of his head once he grew to full size. The hens started to peck at the crown feathers and were beginning to hurt him. After calling around for suggestions to keep them from doing this, we decided to try something kind of crazy. 

We cut all his feathers as short as possible on his head and wrapped black duct tape around them. This looked like he was permanently wearing an "Abraham Lincoln" top hat. So when you look at our logo, it's a picture of him before the top hat and after. 

Thus came the name Black Rooster Maple. We now have 1,000 taps all on tubing and are continuing to grow our business every year. We have our store right along 9N in Keene. We produce maple syrup, maple candy and maple cream”. 

A Big Year For New York Breweries

If you think Paradox Beer's Big New Tent is a sign that the New York craft beer biz is doing well, you are correct!  Paradox can barely keep making beer fast enough, and this year's thirsty summer crowds packing the German style beer hall tent are doing their fair share to make brewers Devon and JD, get a moments rest.

Nick Muscavage, from the Albany Bureau of LoHud, the Journal News,  reports hows New York State added 43 farm breweries in 2015 bringing the total to 106, as state laws have made it easier for them to open.

From Nic’s report:

"The increase is part of a burgeoning wine, beer and cider industry in New York in recent years.

Some of the new farm breweries include Swiftwater Brewing Company in Rochester; Rusty Nickel Brewing in West Seneca, Erie County and Yard Owl Craft Brewery in Gardiner, Ulster County.

Monroe County saw the creation of three farm breweries this year. There were 10 new ones on Long Island, as well as new farm breweries in Ulster, Cayuga, Schuyler, Seneca, Erie, Wyoming and Steuben counties.

Additionally, since 2011, New York has added 93 microbreweries, an increase over four years from 40 to 133 across the state.

“New York’s thriving craft beverage industry continues to grow, create jobs and bolster local economies in every corner of this state,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

Farm breweries grow the ingredients on their land and then make and sell the beer.

Cuomo has supported efforts to expand the craft beverage industry, which accounts about 6,500 jobs and $2.9 billion in annual revenue, the state said.

The Democratic governor has been praised by the industry for loosening regulatory hurdles. In 2012, the state passed the Farm Brewery Law, which created a new license for craft brewers that use ingredients grown in state and offered an exemption on brand label registration fees for small brewers.

The law allowed for the state Liquor Authority to approve 6,659 no fee brand labels, resulting in $1 million in savings for craft brewers, the state estimated.

In 2014, the Craft Act was passed that raised the annual production cap for farm breweries and microbreweries from 60,000 to 75,000 barrels.

In October, at the third and most recent Wine, Beer, Spirits and Cider Summit, Cuomo announced an investment of $5 million to the state’s craft beverage marketing and promotion industry and also committed $2 million to promote the industry through tourism.”

New Gear For Your Beer at Schroon's Paradox Brewery

You may have noticed a slight tweak to the Paradox Beer logo. The new design has been out for a while now on new T-Shirts and Caps. Paradox founderPaul Mrockatold us recently he is happy with the new look and it fits his vision as he grows the Paradox Brand and expands the beer’s availability further south in New York.  This weekend the design makes its debut on growlers and glassware!

And we have good news. The recently rationed Overbite Imperial IPA will be available at the brewery from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Be advised:  get there early. The lines are deep with happy craft beer fans, waiting for their growlers and pints by the glass.

Good Eats For A Good Cause

One of the many organizations behind the Seagle Music Colony is a group known as “The Guild.” So what does this have to do with a plug in our Food and Drink section? Well, the guild hosts various events and fundraisers, including one of the most anticipated events of the Schroon Summer Social Season. It’s the Seagle Colony Guild luncheon at the beautiful Sagamore Resort on August 4. And the decline for tickets is July 15!

It’s a lunch, fundraiser and more. MemberJanet McManus encourages you to come and “bring your friends”.

The benefit is for the Seagle Colony Guild Scholarship Fund. Entertainment is by the Seagle Music Colony's young artists. Tickets are a bargain: $50 per person. We have it on good advice that it’s never too early to reserve your tickets. The festive afternoon includes a beautiful setting overlooking Lake George, a cash bar, luncheon, and some awesome raffle baskets, loaded with very cool goodies.

We keep hearing the following mantra from repeat diners: “this is an afternoon that you won't want to miss!”