The Albany Ale Project has launched a new website, albanyaleproject.com. The site revolves around the extensive history of brewing and beer making in the City of Albany, and the research into re-discovering the 19th century phenomenon of Albany Ale, a double XX strength ale brewed across the city and exported around the world.
The new website has biographies of key players in the research of Albany Ale; a history of brewing in Albany from the 17th century to today; images from the collections of the Albany Institute of History and Art; and more. It’s hoped the website will serve as a hub for information on Albany Ale.
Although Albany Ale no longer exists, the research being done by the Albany Ale Project is increasing interest in the oft-forgotten history of Albany’s brewing past – and the Ale that accompanied it. The Albany Ale Project’s hope is that the web site will encourage more collaboration. “We think the website is a great opportunity for people who aren’t part of the Project yet to share their own information or stories about Albany Ale. Who knows what Albany Ale-related stuff might be tucked away in someone’s attic,” Albany Ale Project co-founder Alan McLeod said in a statement to the press.
In 2010, beer bloggers Alan McLeod (agoodbeerblog.com) and Craig Gravina (drinkdrank1.com) stumbled across an early 19th century advertisement for Albany Ale—but what exactly was Albany Ale? That question took the duo on a journey through history spanning nearly 400 years. Since 2010 the Albany Ale Project has continued to grow. Now, this international research endeavor is focused on bringing the history and stories of an industry that helped to build the capital city of New York to light.
For more information on The Albany Ale Project or the history of Albany Ale, visit albanyaleproject.com, or find them on Facebook.
Illustration: R. Dunlop & Son’s Albany Ale and Porter. Printed by Joel Munsell, Albany, NY 1840–1850. From the collections of the Albany Institute of History & Art.
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