UTICA - The F.X. Matt Brewery has released a brand new beer in conjunction with the Great American Irish Festival. Saranac Irish Ale was unveiled at an invitation-only party held at the F.X. Matt Brewery Courtyard Wednesday evening.

Both the concept and the ingredients were put together in Utica, however  the beer itself is brewed in Plattsburgh, at the Lake Placid Brewery. Other F.X. Matt products are brewed there as well. "We think we have made a beer with a nice red hue", said Fred Matt. "Its got a nice malt character and yet its very drinkable."

This new relationship is something Irish Festival officials have been trying to build, with the brewery, from the start.
    
"We have right from the start. Our festival wanted to get more involved with the brewery and we have that opportunity now." Said Matt Sullivan, the Director of the Irish Festival. "We worked closely together on the recipe for the Irish Red Ale".

The event was expected to have over 1,000 people and was an exclusive tasting of the beer. Representatives from the festival will be serving the beer at the party along with selling tickets and apparel.

The Saranac Irish Ale will be served to public for the first time during the July festival. Whether or not this beer will be bottled and sold after the festival, remains to be seen. Brewery officials want to see how well the beer is liked by people next week.

The Great American Irish Festival will be held at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds Friday, July 25th - Sunday, July 27th. This will be the 5th Anniversary for the festival. NEWSChannel 2 will broadcast live from the Great American Irish Festival on Friday, July 25th for the Live and Five Newshour and NEWSChannel 2 at 6:00.