During Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr.'s annual State of the County address, he laid out a plan for turning Oneida County into a tourist destination. One of the visions from his plan was talks of an American Craft Beer museum right in downtown Utica.

Picente offered up the idea of "The American Craft Beer Museum And Innovation Center" which would focus on New York's, and America's, rich history of craft beer.

We have a rich history in American brewing, with the first beer after prohibition being served right here in Utica by the West End Brewing Company, founded by F.X. Matt. The Matts were again on the cutting edge of the craft brewery revolution when they created their Saranac line. The American Craft Beer Museum and Innovation Center will tell the distinct story of American Beer: A cornerstone of culture, craft and commerce."

This center would include an area for events, hands-on activities, an artisan marketplace, garden space featuring harvest items used in production and a dynamic beer garden, and an incubator area. This area would include a lab, demonstration kitchen and local partnerships for educational programs.

How cool would the city of Utica be with a craft beer museum?


 

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