Senate Resolution No. 1721

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMEMORATING the 138th Anniversary of F. X. Matt
Brewing Company of Utica, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
illustrious establishments which have positively impacted and
substantially contributed to the vitality of their communities; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 138th Anniversary of F. X. Matt Brewing Company of
Utica, New York; and

WHEREAS, The F. X. Matt Brewing Company was founded on March 28,
1888, by F. X. Matt and stands as a landmark within its community; and

WHEREAS, With a long history, F. X. Matt Brewing Company has endured
and innovated over the years like when the brewery had to survive
Prohibition by producing Utica Club soft drinks and several other
non-alcoholic drinks, or when in 1958, the company introduced 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%; and

WHEREAS, The remarkable success of the F. X. Matt Brewing Company is
due in large part to the multi-generational ownership by the Matt family
starting with F. X. Matt in 1888, followed by his son Walter J. Matt in
1951, and his grandson Fred X. Matt II in 1980; their focus for the last
138 years has been to create beverages that delight their customers; and

WHEREAS, Family-owned for four generations, the F. X. Matt Brewing
Company today is led by Chairman Nick Matt and President Fred Matt; and

WHEREAS, The F. X. Matt Brewing Company has enjoyed success with its
Saranac brand which became the company's flagship brand in 1991 after
the Saranac Adirondack Lager was judged the top premium lager at The
Great American Beer Festival; and

WHEREAS, Embracing sustainability, the F. X. Matt Brewing Company
implements recycling measures into every aspect of its operations,
including daily production, marketing, and warehousing, achieving a
98.2% recycling rate; this was accomplished by producing 14,112 tons of
recyclable and reusable materials and while generating only 101.46 tons
of solid waste; and

WHEREAS, Working closely with NYSERDA, the F. X. Matt Brewing
Company installed an anaerobic digester in 2012, that breaks down the
brewery's waste water and converts it to energy which is then used for
production; the methane gas produced by this process powers 40% of the
electricity used by the brewery; and

WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business and its contributions to the
local and State economies, fully confident that it will continue to

enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 138th Anniversary of F. X. Matt Brewing Company of
Utica, New York, and to offer best wishes for continued success in all
its future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to F. X. Matt Brewing Company.