The big tanks are on the way.
Genesee Brewing Company’s new fermentation tanks are on the Erie Canal, a dozen of them riding a string of barges from Albany to Rochester for the brewery’s $49 million modernization project.
The shipment was stalled for a week by high water from the unusual spring rains. But officials were finally able to open the system for navigation today. The 20 foot wide by 60 foot tall fermentation tanks were too big to ship by road or rail, and North American Breweries opted for the canal.
It will take the rest of the month for the dozen tanks to make it to Rochester. Genesee is making an event of the voyage, with picture-taking and celebrations encouraged along the route. They’re due to arrive in Rochester on May 29th or 30th.
The tanks will be taken out of the water at Lee Road and, two at a time, be trucked down Lyell Avenue to St. Paul Street and the brewery.