“Name that 1812 Beer” Contest Winners Announced
Plucky Rooster Ale will help enhance visitors’ experience

Plattsburgh, NY – 9/6/2011 – The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and Legend’s Bistro announced the winning name from their “Name that 1812 Beer” contest this afternoon. 

The new 1812 ale, now Plucky Rooster Ale, was submitted by four different people and chosen for its relevance to the Battle of Plattsburgh and the legend that surrounds the rooster on Thomas Macdonough’s ship.  The contest had over 250 name entries. 

The winners are:

1. Russell Jones, Plattsburgh, NY
2. Howard Lowe, Plattsburgh, NY
3. Ed & April Quackenbush, Plattsburgh, NY
4. Bill Duffany, Plattsburgh, NY

The Legend of Plucky Rooster
On the morning of September 11, 1814, the British fleet sailed around Cumberland Head and into the bay where Macdonough’s fleet was waiting.  As the English squadron stood bravely, Thomas Macdonough knelt for a moment with his officers on the quarter-deck in perfect silence, the men were waiting for the opening fight. The American ship Eagle spoke first with its cannons but to no effect, the shot fell short.  Then the British ship Linnet fired against the American Ship Saratoga its shot also fell short, except for one that struck the coop containing a gamecock that happened to be a board the Saratoga. Instead of being frightened at his sudden release, the rooster jumped up on a gun-slide, clapped his wings and crowed.  The men laughed and cheered; immediately afterward Macdonough himself fired the first shot.  The 24-pound ball struck the British ship Confiance and ranged the length of her deck, killing and wounding several men. All the American long guns now opened and were replied to by the British galleys.  The crew took the rooster’s fighting spirit as a sign of good fortune and they were right.  Macdonough’s crew won the battle and put an end to the war.  Today, the U.S. Navy continues to have the rooster as a mascot on the USS Saratoga aircraft carrier.

About Plucky Rooster Ale
Plucky Rooster Ale was developed by Legend’s head brewmaster, Jason Stoyanoff, who created the recipe by researching types of beers brewed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson in the late 18th and early 19th century. 

He explains that brewers did not only use barley, which makes up the majority of beer recipes today, but other sugar sources such as wheat, rye and molasses.  Filtration was nonexistent at the time, so this brew is also unfiltered.

Stoyanoff stated, “Plucky Rooster Ale is a contemporary nod to brews made 200 years ago by our fore fathers.  The recipe really captures the essence of the Battle of Plattsburgh and the time period for America and the Adirondack Coast.  I used American hops, English rye, Canadian barley and molasses to create a burly pale ale with sweet toffee notes and a great hop aroma, flavor and balance.  I’m excited to offer Plucky Rooster Ale as a way to celebrate the significance of the Battle of Plattsburgh for the US and the Adirondack Coast.”

The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau is excited about the naming of Plucky Rooster Ale and what Plucky Rooster Ale will add to a visitor’s experience while in the area.  Kristy Kennedy, Group Marketing Specialist for the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau stated, “Having Plucky Rooster Ale is a fantastic way to get visitors excited about our rich history and a nice way to introduce visitors to the War of 1812 Bicentennial that we will be commemorating from 2012-2014.”

Legend’s Bistro and The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau hopes to have other area restaurants and bars serve Plucky Rooster Ale to help create a visitor experience unique to our area. Terry Meron, owner of Legend’s Bistro stated, “Historical tourism, especially in connection with the Battles of Valcour and Plattsburgh, will be a big part of Plattsburgh’s tourism growth. 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.”

Plucky Rooster Ale will be available at Legend’s Bistro and this weekend the newly named ale will be available at Israel Green’s Tavern for the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration weekend.

The winner(s) received a $25 gift certificate to Legend’s Bistro, a growler of the newly named beer, a t-shirt with the new logo on it and bragging rights. 

For more information on the legend of Plucky Rooster or about Plucky Rooster Ale visit goadirondack.com/1812beer or Legendsbistro.com. 

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About the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau
The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, a division of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, was established in 1994 as the official tourism promotion agency for the travel and tourism industry in Clinton County, NY.  Based in Plattsburgh, NY the Adirondack Coast Visitors  Bureau contributes to the county’s economic development and quality of life by promoting the region as a top destination for tourism, meetings and other special events. For more information on Clinton County tourism, please contact the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau at 518.563.1000 or check us out on: