Britney Kirwan

As a capstone project, my team and I created a podcast series (Canal Keepers Podcast) about the people who keep the spirit of the Erie Canal alive after 200 years. My podcast episode specifically featured Matt Kahn, the co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing in Buffalo, New York. Click Here to discover how Kahn is able to embody the spirit of the Erie Canal through his successful brewing business.

Podcast Episode Overview:

Matt Kahn, co-founder of Big Ditch Brewing Company, shares his journey from working in the pharmaceutical industry to beer fermentation. Matt paired his scientific background and drew inspiration from the Erie Canal to open a thriving brewery in downtown Buffalo. Big Ditch continues a centuries-long tradition of beer-making and drinking in Upstate New York that followed the route of the canal.

Feature Story:

Breweries Keeping the Traditions of the Erie Canal Alive

By Britney Kirwan and Amanda Rosenthal

A mural depicting “Strength, Pride, Ambition” along with “the spirit of the Erie Canal” that hangs over Big Ditch’s restaurant. Co-founder Matt Kahn said the sign reflects the values of the brewing company. Photo by Amanda Rosenthal. 

The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 facilitated a boom in beer production. The canal allowed farmers to easily transport goods like wheat. The opening of the canal also led to population growth in major cities like Buffalo and Rochester. This created a demand for beer, and breweries, hop fields and factories began popping up near the canal.

“By the mid-1840s, 1850s, you see this huge boom in beer production and beer-related production,” said Derrick Pratt, the Erie Canal Museum Educator and author of “Erie Eats.” Pratt spoke about the beer brewing industry along the Erie Canal on March 17 in Camillus, New York. “Between 1840 and 1900, New York State will grow more hops than any other state in the union.”

From quaint microbreweries to larger taprooms, the bustling beer scene has fostered a sense of inspiration for breweries, Pratt said.

“Eventually, it goes from just having canal-themed beers to having whole canal-themed breweries,” said Pratt. “Probably the most notable of these is Big Ditch Brewing out in Buffalo, but you’ve also got Lock 32 in Pittsford, Erie Canal Brewing Company in Canastota.”

Talking Cursive

Talking Cursive Brewing Company is a woman and veteran-owned brewery in downtown Syracuse. Their beers are brewed onsite using their 7 BBL Alpha Brewing System, and the brewery is licensed as both a microbrewery and New York State farm brewery. Because their beers are considered NYS farm beers, their beers utilize at least 60% of New York hops and malt. This certification also allows for the brewery to serve NYS wine, ciders and spirits, and beers containing ingredients not grown in New York. This could be anything from speciality malts to proprietary hops. Located on Erie Boulevard West, Talking Cursive stands on what was once the Erie Canal.

“Our location on Erie Boulevard was the home of two breweries in Syracuse that were along the canal. In the 1820s, it was the village of Syracuse, and the village line was right at the end of our building on the West,” said Andrew Brooks, co-owner of Talking Cursive Brewery.

The brewery has put on various events with the Erie Canal Museum, such as a “Beers, Bikes, and Barges” event where participants go on a cycling tour experiencing Syracuse’s brewing history and end the ride with a drink at Talking Cursive. Right across from the Niagara Mohawk Building, Talking Cursive offers a plethora of draught beers, food and drink specials, can and bottle releases, and events. Their fermenters are also named after former brewers in Syracuse such as Ashbel (Kellog) and Davenport (Morey). They also have a list of achievements such as being a finalist for the best burger in New York and having a silver medal-winning Bohemian pilsner.

Erie Canal Brewing Company

The Erie Canal Brewing Company is a family-owned and operated brewery that sources its ingredients from local hops farms and malt houses.

“We want to have more control over the process so that the line of beers that we offer are completely unique,” according to the Erie Canal Brewing Company website.

The Canastota brewery’s production facility is on James Street, and taproom is on South Peterboro Street, where the brewery hosts events like trivia night and pitch league.

“Every dollar spent with a locally owned business like ours stays local. You can get Budweiser anywhere but your customers prefer to buy local when given the option,” according to the Erie Canal Brewing Company website.

Lock 32 Brewing

Lock 32 Brewing Company in Pittsford, New York, has an extensive tap list featuring beers such as Mule Fuel, Clinton’s Folly and Lock Ness — all references to the Erie Canal, which opened through the city in 1822. The indoor space has a clear view of the Erie Canal and Schoen Place. When the weather is nice, customers can utilize the outdoor patio that comes with Adirondack chairs and fire pits. Julieta Zavala, a 21-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, is a frequent customer. Zavala said it’s great to have a place that is influenced by “such an important part of our U.S. history.”

“It fosters a sense of community because so many people are looking for a place to listen to live music, be by a body of water and drink beer while hanging out with friends or catching up with people you haven’t seen in awhile,” Zavala said.

Customers can choose from a wide range of beers, wines, seltzers and non-alcoholic drinks.

* feature story and podcast episode can both be viewed here: http://canalkeeperspod.com/episode-1.html