Sackets specialty to brew anew

After correcting recent cash-flow problems, Sackets Harbor Brewing Co. announced Friday that it will restart production at High Falls Brewing Co., Rochester.

Sackets Harbor Brewing Co. is owned by Seaway Valley Capital Corp.

High Falls has been creating batches of Sackets Harbor Brewing Co.'s War of 1812 Amber Ale since late last year, said Seaway Valley CEO Thomas W. Scozzafava.

Mr. Scozzafava said that as money grew tight over the winter, the company decided to suspend production of the ale for about a month.

"We are 100 percent current with High Falls now," he said.

War of 1812 Amber Ale won a Silver Medal at the World Beer Championships in 1998. It is distributed at restaurants and retail locations in New York and Florida, but also is licensed for distribution in Massachusetts and Vermont with other state licensing under way, according to a press release.

"Prior to the production interruption, demand for our product had doubled over a relatively short time," Mr. Scozzafava said in the release.

Mr. Scozzafava said other products are under development and soon could be brewed at High Falls or Olde Saratoga Brewing Co., Saratoga Springs. Olde Saratoga has been brewing Thousand Islands Pale Ale and previously crafted 1812 ale.

"Once it reaches a certain critical mass, it makes more economic sense to use High Falls," Mr. Scozzafava said. "High Falls makes very big batches, so you have to make more beer at a time. Per case, that means they're less expensive."