Archive: Business & Technology

Ithaca Beer (IBC) celebrated its 10th Anniversary Thursday at the Chapter House, Ithaca Ale House, Kilpatrick’s, Korova, and Pixel Lounge. "We’ve been open 10 years, and we’re going to celebrate," says owner, Dan Mitchell. IBC gave out limited edition, 10th Anniversary pint glasses to the first 100 people at each bar who purchased Ithaca Beer.  When customers bought an Ithaca Beer at one of the five locations that Thursday night, he or she was entered in IBC’s10th Anniversary raffle. The grand prize was 10 cases of beer a year for 10 years. All five locations had three or four different Ithaca Beers on draft and a cask-conditioned ale prepared by the brewers, for the 10th Anniversary.

"We want everyone to come out and drink Ithaca Beer with us, but be safe," says IBC Production Manager, Bill Janisko. IBC will also have special sales going on at the brewery throughout the anniversary week (Dec.1st-7th). Stop in to see a historical collection of photos, packaging, and posters too. Thursday will be especially exciting with raffle opportunities in-store and food pairing with beer samples.

The idea for IBC was created in 1995, but it wasn’t until December of 1998 that IBC officially opened its doors and began brewing and bottling in house at 606 Elmira Road, just past Buttermilk Falls. Since then, IBC expanded distribution through New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. "We’re always trying  to make our beers better, get our beer to those looking for it, be more involved in our community. That’s our guarantee. We always strive to be better," muses Mitchell on his business philosophy, "And we will continue to make IBC better over the next 10 years."

True testaments to IBC’s hard work are the state and national awards bestowed upon IBC’s craft beers, within this past year. Early in the year, at TAP- NY, IBC was named 2008 Best Craft Brewery in New York State. Also at TAP-NY, IBC’s Flower Power IPA took home the Silver Medal, and TEN took home the Gold Medal for the two Best Craft Beers in NY State. To add to the trophy case, CascaZilla was awarded silver in the Amber/Red Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival® and Excelsior! series beer, Brute took home Silver, as well, in the German or American Sour Ale category.

Dan Mitchell was donned Hop King by the Madison County Hop Society for his on-going pursuit of bringing commercial Hop Production back to New York State. IBC has 10-year tradition of community involvement. In the last 2 years, IBC has started a new tradition in Ithaca, the Ithaca Brew Fest, which draws 3,000 people from upstate New York and all over the Northeast. IBC routinely donates products and time to community events. Over the summer, IBC organized a group of volunteers young and old to help repair and repaint the Big Pavilion at Stewart Park through funds generated by IBC’s, Brew Fest in 2007 and 2008.

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