Saranac Adirondack Lager

Review Date 11/29/2025 By John Staradumsky

  Style: Pilsner   Brewery: Saranac   Country: USA   State: New York   $ Per OZ: $.15   ABV: 5.5%

In 1888, FX Matt founded what would one day become the FX Matt Brewing Company in Utica, New York. The brewery was famous for its Utica Club beer when I became of drinking age in the early 80s, and famous too for its beloved Schultz & Dooley line of beer steins. To be sure, these were regional favorites in New York and New England, but the brand thrived as a local offering in those days.

Matt became an early adopter of craft beer with Saranac 1888 Lager in 1985, and it was if memory serves the first beer in the soon to be expansive Saranac Line. The beer would evolve slightly and become the brew I am here to talk about today, Saranac Adirondack Amber (today Saranac Adirondack Lager).

Saranac states that in 1991, Saranac Adirondack Lager was judged the top premium lager at The Great American Beer Festival. The Saranac brand becomes the company's flagship brand. They also sate that in 1996, F.X. Matt introduced the first variety craft beer mixed pack, called Saranac Adirondack Trail Mix, which features 4 distinctly different styles of beer based on heritage recipes. Saranac Adirondack Amber was included in that 12-pack.

In the early 1990s, I was working at Mac’s Liquors in West Warwick, Rhode Island, and frequently recommended Saranac Adirondack Lager as an introductory beer to the craft world. It was clean of adjuncts and had a form maltiness and respectable hop character that offered enough flavor to satisfy beer enthusiasts but not so much as to offend newcomers. This is all still true today.

I was quite surprised to see I had never reviewed this historic American classic, and I set out straightaway to rectify that situation. Saranac says:

Saranac Adirondack Lager is craft brewed with pure Adirondack water, bottom fermented and fully lagered to carefully balance the sweetness of two-row malt with the delicate bitterness of American Cascade and German Hallertauer hops. Look for a golden amber color and medium body. You'll discover a distinctive flavorful beer that is deliciously drinkable. Enjoy!

Saranac Adirondack Lager has an alcohol content of 5.5% by volume with 22 IBUs. It runs $10.99 a six-pack locally, when I can find it.

Saranac Adirondack Lager pours to a deep amber color with a medium head of foam and a nose of crisp light toasty malt. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body and malty! Toasted bread and caramel are definitely present and abound into the gently balanced, gently bitter finish.

One of the ones that started it all, and as good as it ever was, this delightful American classic is not to be missed.

Glad I tried it?  T

Would I rebuy it??