Keep your eyes peeled this St. Patrick’s Day weekend for some new suds in town. Saratoga Springs’ latest brewery, Racing City Brewing Co., is set to open its doors on Friday, March 16, just in time for the green-tinted holiday. “We’ve adopted the phrase ‘Beer 3:16’ as a theme of our opening weekend celebration,” says Anthony Oliva, CMO of Racing City Brewing. “Customers will receive a ‘Beer 3:16’ T-shirt with the purchase of a growler fill. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness will round out the weekend.” The brewer’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the following weekend, and a grand opening celebration is scheduled for late spring. “The opening celebrations will be just the beginning of a party happening every time you visit Racing City Brewing Co. and Oliva Winery,” he says.
What’s Oliva Winery? you ask. Good question. It’s the Oliva family’s first project. “I began making wine in 2012, sharing the task of selling wine and running Oliva Winery with my wife, Debreen,” says Tony Oliva, who is Racing City Brewing’s COO (he’s Anthony’s father). “With wine selling well and many regular customers, beer naturally followed.” The Olivas hope to contribute to Saratoga’s already enjoyable nightlife, too. “Racing City Brewing Co. may be new to Saratoga Springs nightlife, but our take is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s how we feel about our beers. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” says Tony. “We’re in a classic town like Saratoga, and we’ll be brewing classic styles of beer with a modern take in order to ensure not only a unique experience, but also that there’s something for everyone. Just like this town.”
The Olivas couldn’t be bigger fans of the Spa City. “There’s no place like Saratoga,” says Tony’s wife, Debreen, who’s the family business’ CFO. “We first came to Saratoga as tourists close to 25 years ago. Saratoga was initially our ‘summer place to be.’ Now as 12-year residents, we have discovered many new favorite spots in town. So it was natural for us to open Racing City Brewing Co. here.”
The Olivas’ son, Anthony, hopes that the new business will help foster friendship in the Spa City: “The communal tables Tony built with wood from a local mill will enable customers to interact with friends old and new. The brewery and winery will embody everything that makes Saratoga Springs such a special town: a day at the races; a night out on Broadway; a classical performance or rock concert at SPAC; a walk though Congress Park with a ride on the carousel; and, now, a beer at Racing City Brewing Co.”
For info on upcoming events—including Racing City Brewing Co.’s “Beer 3:16” celebration at 250 Excelsior Avenue on March 16—check out their Facebook page.
