Name chosen for special 1812-style beer

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Brewmaster Jason Stoyanoff sips on some Plucky Rooster Ale, a kickback to brews made by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson that's brewed with Canadian barley, English rye, American hops and molasses. The copper ale has caramel and toffee notes with a piney or citrus hop flavor and aroma and a medium bitterness. Staff Photo / Kelli Catana

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September 8, 2011

— 'Plucky Rooster' brewed for annual battle celebration

DAN HEATH Press-Republican The Press Republican Thu Sep 08, 2011, 06:10 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — Plucky Rooster Ale is the name for a new beer created as part of the annual Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration.

The winning name was selected for its relevance to the Battle of Plattsburgh and the legend that surrounds a rooster on Commodore Thomas Macdonough's ship, the Saratoga.

During the battle, a cannon ball shot from the British ship Linnet hit the Saratoga. It struck a coop that contained the rooster, and the angry fowl, it is said, jumped on a gun slide, flapped its wings and crowed.

As the sailors laughed and cheered, Macdonough fired the first shot from the Saratoga, which killed several British sailors.

The battle was soon joined in force, with the Saratoga's crew taking the rooster's spirit as a sign of good fortune. They were proved right as Macdonough's forces won the battle, which effectively ended the War of 1812.

CONTEST WINNERS

The new name was submitted on four of more than 250 entries sent in as part of the Name that 1812 Beer contest, sponsored by the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.

The winners were Russell Jones, Howard Lowe, Bill Duffany and Ed and April Quackenbush, all of Plattsburgh.

They each received a $25 gift certificate to Legend's Bistro, a growler of the ale, a T-shirt with the ale's new logo and bragging rights.

BICENTENNIAL

Adirondack Coast Group Marketing Specialist Kristy Kennedy said she hopes the new ale will add to the experience of visitors to the region. "Having Plucky Rooster Ale is a fantastic way to introduce visitors to the War of 1812 Bicentennial that we will be commemorating from 2012 to 2014," she said in a press release.

LOCALLY CREATED

The ale was created by Legend's Bistro brewmaster Jason Stoyanoff, who researched the types of beers brewed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in the late 18th and early 19th century.

Stoyanoff found that brewers from that time used other sugar sources, such as wheat, rye and molasses, in addition to the more traditional barley. Plucky Rooster Ale is brewed with American hops, English rye, Canadian barley and molasses.

Like beers of that era, it is unfiltered.

"Plucky Rooster Ale is a contemporary nod to brews made 200 years ago by our forefathers," Stoyanoff said in a statement.

"The recipe really captures the essence of the Battle of Plattsburgh and the time period for America and the Adirondack Coast. I'm proud to offer Plucky Rooster Ale as a way to celebrate the significance of the Battle of Plattsburgh for the United States and the Adirondack Coast."

WHERE TO TRY IT

The ale will be available at Legend's Bistro at the Comfort Inn and at Israel Green's Tavern at 18 Trinity Place in downtown Plattsburgh during the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration this weekend.

Bistro Owner Terry Meron said it is hoped other restaurants and bars will offer the ale as part of efforts to market the region's history.

"Historical tourism, especially in connection with the battles of Valcour and Plattsburgh, will be a big part of Plattsburgh's tourism growth," he said.

"Everything that can be done by businesses and other organizations that enhance the visitor's immersion in the historical experience should be pursued.

"I hope Plucky Rooster Ale will be a small contribution to that experience."

Email Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com