If you’re a fan of Common Roots beers, then you likely appreciate the beautiful labels that are designed for each one. The art found on these labels (thank you, Jess Mead!) is meant to reflect our ethos as a company, our love for the outdoors and the amazing resources we have in our area for recreation. Autumn in our region is a special time of year and can have a different meaning for each of us.

I have some good friends that especially look to the fall for the start of the hunting season. A time to get equipment and the camp ready for the annual deer hunt. For others, it’s a time for less crowds, hiking and biking during the cooler days and enjoying the fall colors. While I especially enjoy the latter, I also really look forward to getting back on the trout streams and enjoying some post outdoor activity beers during this magical time of year!

No matter your personal interest or sport, getting outdoors and enjoying our public lands and parks is a tradition that is as American as apple pie. 

Those of us that love our wild lands and National Parks are thankful for the foresight that past Presidents and environmental groups had to preserve these special places for future generations. Our National Parks and Public Lands are uniquely part of our American experience and an idea that used to be bipartisan and seldom controversial. We may have had differences over grazing, water and other uses but we all agreed that access to public lands for fishing, hunting and recreation was an American right and one that needs protection. These lands belong to all of us and should remain that way for future generations.

If you’ve been paying attention, the current occupant in the Whitehouse has a different idea. Here is what Trump and the Republicans are proposing:

• Redirect nearly $400 million in funding promised to the Land and Water Conservation Fund  
• Gut scientific research, including programs at the EPA, NOAA, and the US Forest Service
• Reduce the National Park Service’s operating budget by nearly one-third 
• Eliminate AmeriCorps programs that respond to disasters, educate youth, maintain trails, and more 
• Withhold funding for local trail and park projects and initiatives 
• Allow destructive mining practice on formerly protected and sensitive lands

What can WE do? 

1. Support organizations that lead the fight to protect Public Lands like the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, League of Conservation Voters or your favorite environmental organization that is advocating to protect our public lands. 
2. Call your local representative and elect new representatives this fall that support preserving our national treasures and not sell them to the highest bidder.

As we’ve seen, elections have consequences and we need to get involved this fall! Once they are gone…they are gone forever.

Cheers to a beautiful autumn for all of us!
Bert
 

In Praise of Dogs

Those of us who have dogs and appreciate the summer months likely see the connection between the phrase, “The dog days of summer” and how our canine companions act on hot, humid days. At least that’s what I thought. When it’s hot out, our dog Gracie is very happy to just lay around in any cooler spot or seek comfort of the indoor space and not move. That said, I decided to do a little digging into this saying and other facts about dogs and discovered that our ancestors thought the onset of hot, humid weather was because of the rise of the bright Dog Star, Sirius, near the sun. So, the origin of the phrase…dog days of summer has nothing to do with our pets’ reaction or lack thereof to summer weather.

Our pooch, Gracie, who is a lab/hound rescue, is now 13 years old, in overall good health, but I know she really suffers in the heat, and so I must limit her time outdoors during the dog days of summer. When she was younger, heat didn’t seem to affect her as much; I loved her company on hikes…off leash when it was appropriate.  It was easy to see how much she loved that time… we both enjoyed it. On hot days, I always made sure we had a stream or lake for her to swim in. Sadly, those days are over for Gracie in the hot summer. Now she looks forward to getting back inside quickly…even after our neighborhood walks.

Those of us who have made the conscience decision to have a dog in our lives understand that we can’t imagine ourselves without one now. As much as we love them, it could never compare to the love we get in return. Is there any better feeling than having them greet you at the door at the end of a tough day, or how excited they get when they know they are being included in your trip? While having a dog can be expensive and certainly carries a fair amount of responsibility with it, many of us humans cannot imagine our days without them. The bond between dog and human goes far back in history and is unlike any other.

So why this special bond?  Most experts agree this special bond started some 15,000 years ago as our ancestors first domesticated the descendants of wolves during the start of our hunter-gatherer period. They served as protection and helped with hunting.

Other fun fact…dogs are good for our health.  A study at UC-Davis found that people who have dogs are generally healthier and less depressed. “With stress and burnout rates on the rise, having a furry friend waiting for you at home is scientifically proven to improve your mental and physical health. Plus, owning a pet can help you age in a healthy way”. The study also found that dog owners tend to be more generous and have a better sense of humor. (Cultivation Health- April 2024 UC Davis Health)

Perhaps even more interesting is the idea that owning a dog makes you appear more trustworthy! Megan Mueller, professor at Tufts University, in the article, “How the Presence of Pets Builds Trust in People” (April 2022) stated, “The presence of an animal can also enhance perceptions of trustworthiness and responsibility, which in turn fosters positive social interactions. Researchers found that people were more likely to help a stranger with a dog than one without a dog, suggesting that the presence of an animal conferred perceptions of trust.” I think probably most of us made these connections without any scientific studies. I meet a person with a dog, I usually enjoy the encounter.

Perhaps this partially explains why almost every President of the United States has had a dog! In fact, only three U.S. presidents have never had a dog. Andrew Johnson, James Polk, and Donald Trump. Enough said.

As you may have guessed, we are dog lovers here at Common Roots. We enjoy them as our companions and as our guests in our Biergarten at all locations. Sadly, the health department doesn’t allow them indoors in our taproom spaces unless they are special service dogs…but we think all dogs are special.

I know none of this is news to those of us who are already on the dog train, but perhaps something to consider if you are thinking about an adoption.  Common Roots has hosted several pet adoption days at our facilities in the past…if you’re thinking about it…why not visit your local SPCA or animal shelter and bring home a new family member?

For many of us, our pets are family and bring us happiness, companionship, and a sense of purpose. Dogs specifically have been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise, and improve your overall health. At Common Roots, we welcome all responsible dogs and their owners to any of our outdoor biergartens and spaces. This summer you don’t leave that special friend home…go have a beer together (beer for you, water for your friend) and celebrate the dog days of summer with us!

A Tree Grows in Albany

As you might have guessed, we love trees. They are not only a dominant feature of our company logo, but they also represent the very ethos of our business and how we view community and its resilience and connections though our common roots. This spring, as you wander through neighborhoods or your favorite hiking trails, take a moment and notice the trees there…the old and the new. Trees are cool!

On one of my doggie walks in our neighborhood in Glens Falls, I’ve noticed the new trees that have been planted by our city. They are still getting established and need some extra care with watering and staking to keep the wind from pushing them over. New tree plantings are an investment for future generations and always bring a smile to my face. As a science and history guy, I must admit that it’s the old trees that really get my imagination going. Especially in established neighborhoods like ours. If you allow some personification here…you know these trees have seen some things in their lives! They’ve had to put up with less-than-ideal growing conditions. Limited soil, sidewalks, road salt, heat, ice storms, spongy moth infestations…you name it, the old trees have been through it and yet they’ve persevered…some for hundreds of years.

What’s also remarkable is that we now understand that trees need each other! They need community and interact through a complex mycorrhizal network of soil fungi and other organism. Forest tree communities have a distinct advantage in this regard over their urban counterparts and yet… even the urban trees have somehow found community and a way to survive.

Continuing the tree analogy, our brewery in South Glens Falls just celebrated ten years of business back in December. In “tree years”, we would still be a young, immature specimen. Like the young tree, our business has flourished because we found a caring community connection here.

A little over a year ago we also acquired the CH Evans Brewery Company in Albany that had its “roots” dating back to 1786 in the Hudson Valley. Like those old trees, we were very excited to acquire the old building that now houses our Outpost in Albany. We think this old building is magnificent and has seen some stuff in its history and still has a story to tell.

Old buildings, like old trees, still need a connection to community to thrive. Part of our mission at the Albany Outpost is to not only honor this old building but to recreate a new community that will thrive here. The renovation of the building and our investment in Albany was a natural extension for both our business and our Foundation… one we are committed to see thrive and grow.

We know caring for trees in an urban environment can be a challenge, but we also know that with the right care and connection to community…they too can thrive.

Common Roots Brewing Company and our Foundation are committed to making those connections and thriving in the Capital Region and beyond. When you visit us at the Outpost…take a moment a say hello to the beautiful American Sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis) growing near our front entrance. The tree is about 80 years old right now and with some love and the right conditions, it should continue to grow for another 100 years or more!

Our Sycamore tree, let’s call her Francie, can be our symbol of hope and resilience in Albany as we all look to face the challenges of an uncertain future. At Common Roots we are confident that if we continue to support each other and stay connected, we can all flourish in challenging times.

Cheers to connections to old friends and the new ones we make every day.

The coming winter season is one that I normally really look forward to. Those of you who have been receiving our newsletter and reading my Lifting the View submissions will likely understand how shocked and saddened I was personally with the results of our recent national election. Politics aside, I really struggled with how best to describe this feeling of loss and not become consumed by the negative side of this new reality. For me and other like-minded individuals, the coming winter is looking especially bleak… but not without hope.

In the 1961 novel The Winter of Our Discontent, Steinbeck’s protagonist, Ethan Hawley, repeatedly chooses his own financial gain through unethical business dealings, which eventually leads to his own moral reckoning. In a similar sense, I fear our country will likely face a reckoning of its own because of the decisions made in November.

At work, in my family, and within my community, I have the distinct honor to be surrounded by women of substance, intelligence, and integrity. To them, this election was an especially profound disappointment and one they still grapple to understand. One of those women, my wife Robin, who is always a harbinger of hope in our family, was disheartened and at a loss for words. In one of the many ways she helps others cope, she gave each of our grandchildren–when they were old enough– a ‘worry stone.’ They know that their own worry stone can help them when they are feeling anxious or scared. It can be a very soothing and comforting possession to hold when things get scary or confusing.

While I am not suggesting we all go out and get a worry stone, we do need to find a collective way to help each other find some hope in this dark time. Personally, I’ve decided I am going to recommit my time and treasure to helping individuals and organizations that are bound to be negatively impacted over the next four years. The Common Roots Foundation of course gives me tremendous purpose to this end, and I’m proud that its impact continues to grow, deepening our ability to offer support to our local community.

Those of you who read Steinbeck’s novel will remember Ethan Hawley had his moral reckoning come when he realized the negative consequences his actions had on others. So distraught was he that he contemplated taking his own life. Fortunately, he then discovered a stone in his pocket that was placed there covertly by his young daughter, Molly. He then realized his family needed him more, which gave him hope and saved his life.

Our country, marginalized groups, and especially the women in our lives really need support now. Perhaps a stone in our pocket might just be the talisman we all need to step back from this ethical abyss. In the coming months, I hope each of us will find the moral strength to do what we can to help those who are bound to be hurt in the coming years. As a reminder of that hope, put that stone in your pocket and support those organizations, businesses, and individuals that need it now more than ever. Whether it be through contributions or volunteering, each of us can play a more positive role in this still-unfolding chapter of our American story.

While we all may have different reasons to celebrate the end of summer and welcoming the fall season, I’ve noticed what seems like a new reason…neighborhood block parties! My neighborhood in Glens Falls has had several in recent weeks and they were a lot of fun. This last one was especially enjoyable because it gave me a chance to meet some of our new neighbors, many of whom had just recently moved to this area from other parts of the country and from Central America and Africa!

As a son of immigrants myself, I was especially interested in learning more about their backgrounds and why they came here. Their stories were heartwarming, especially those that came from distant lands. It made me once again appreciate the principles of why our American democracy is such a unique and magnificent experiment in the world…our diversity.

My family immigrated to the USA from Germany in 1950. I am a first generation American whose family left everything they knew in worn-torn Germany in search of a better life in America. Even though we were Germans–a recent and former foe of America–my family was welcomed and given an opportunity to succeed and become part of the national fabric.

Part of our national discourse this election season is focused on immigration and while we all agree that we need a comprehensive policy, we shouldn’t be vilifying immigrants that are seeking a better life in the USA. Let’s face it, unless you are a Native American, we all came here from distant lands. Some by choice, some by force. The one thing that we used to agree with was that it was our diversity that really created what we love to call “American Exceptionalism”.

Building walls, banning books and vilifying immigrants has never been a recipe for success. As business owners and employers, we know first-hand how hard working our immigrants are. Like all of us, they just want a better life for themselves and their families. Let’s stop the messages of hate and look for solutions that embrace our differences and build stronger communities that benefit all of us.

In the end, our neighborhood block party was a microcosm of what the American experiment should be. People from different background and beliefs working together to build a better future.