Imagine this: December 5, 1933. The 21st Amendment is ratified, and after 13 long, dry years of Prohibition, beer is finally legal again across the United States. While the rest of the country is still cheering and scrambling for permits, one plucky brewery in Utica, New York, is already cracking open the taps.
That brewery? The West End Brewing Company — today known as the F.X. Matt Brewing Company, home of the beloved Saranac beers. They didn’t just get back in the game early. They won the whole race, becoming the very first brewery in America to snag a federal license to brew and sell full-strength beer post-Prohibition.
From German Roots to a Brewing Empire
The story starts in 1888 when German immigrant Francis Xavier Matt (F.X. Matt I) bought a small operation in Utica and reorganized it as the West End Brewing Company. F.X. brought old-world brewing know-how from the Black Forest region and quickly turned the modest outfit into a local success. By the time Prohibition hit in 1920, the brewery was one of the few smart enough (and resourceful enough) to survive the drought.
How? They pivoted hard. Instead of shutting down, they cranked out Utica Club soft drinks, ginger ale, and non-alcoholic malt tonics. That clever “near beer” strategy kept the lights on, the equipment maintained, and the family business humming while hundreds of other breweries went belly-up.
The Midnight Dash to History
When repeal finally came on December 5, 1933, the Matt family was ready. Legend has it a company rep was strategically positioned in Washington, D.C., monitoring events. Within about 90 minutes of the 21st Amendment’s ratification, West End Brewing had the first federal permit in hand.
At midnight on December 5, trucks started lining up. F.X. Matt himself sent a cheeky letter to distributors: “You may have your trucks here at our premises, midnight, December 5th, and you can receive all the beer you desire at 12:05 A.M. December 6th.”
By the wee hours of December 6, fresh Utica Club lager — a crisp, clean pilsner-style beer — was flowing. To celebrate, the brewery threw an epic parade from the brewery doors straight to the Hotel Utica (which, fun fact, F.X. Matt also owned). Locals and thirsty revelers toasted with the very first legal pints poured in the country. Talk about a perfect pour!
Utica Club earned its permanent place in beer history that day as America’s first post-Prohibition beer. Some folks still affectionately call it “Uncle Charlie.”
From Utica Club to Saranac Craft Legacy
The Matt family didn’t stop at being first — they’ve kept innovating for generations. The company is now in its fourth generation, with Fred Matt as president and Nick Matt as chairman. It’s one of the oldest family-owned breweries in the United States (fourth oldest, to be precise) and a cornerstone of Utica’s “Brewery District.”
While Utica Club remains a beloved classic (that smooth 5% lager is still a go-to for many), the brewery exploded onto the craft scene with the Saranac lineup. Think bold flavors like Saranac Pale Ale, Legacy IPA, and seasonal High Peaks varieties. They’ve even earned world beer awards and pioneered things like the mixed 12-pack that we all take for granted today.
Bonus nostalgia: In the late ’50s and ’60s, Utica Club ran hilarious TV ads featuring Schultz & Dooley, a pair of talking beer steins voiced by comedy legend Jonathan Winters. Those spots helped boost sales by over 50% and became pop culture gold.
Today, the historic brewery at 830 Varick Street still uses some original copper kettles, hosts tours, throws fun events like Saranac Thursday Nights, and even runs a Prohibition Party every year to toast their legendary moment.
Why This Story Still Matters (and Tastes Great)
In an era of corporate beer giants, the F.X. Matt Brewing Company’s tale is a refreshing reminder of American grit, family tradition, and the pure joy of a well-timed pint. They survived Prohibition by getting creative, seized the repeal moment like champs, and continue brewing excellent beer in the same Upstate New York spot more than 138 years later.
Next time you’re cracking open a cold Utica Club or a hoppy Saranac, raise a glass to the brewery that didn’t just end the dry spell — they kicked it off with a parade and a perfect head on the beer.
Cheers to the firsts: the first license, the first legal beer, and a family that keeps New York (and beer lovers everywhere) happily hydrated.
Want to experience the history yourself? Head to Utica for a brewery tour, grab some merch featuring those iconic Utica Club signs, or join the next Prohibition bash. The taps are still flowing strong — just like they have been since that historic December night in 1933.
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