FX Matt Brewing purchases Maryland's Flying Dog Brewery

Edward Harris, Observer-Dispatch
·2 min read

Utica’s FX Matt Brewing Company is acquiring Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick, Maryland, Flying Dog announced in a recent statement.

Founded in 1888, FX Matt Brewing Company brews its own brands of soft drinks, Utica Club and Saranac beer and the diversity of products in those lines and brewed under contract have continued to grow.

The brewery now bottles and cans hard seltzer, wine, energy drinks, distilled spirits and juice. 

Fred Matt speaks during a press conference outside of the newly constructed brewhouse and tank farm expansion at F.X. Matt Brewing Co. in Utica in April 2021.
Fred Matt speaks during a press conference outside of the newly constructed brewhouse and tank farm expansion at F.X. Matt Brewing Co. in Utica in April 2021.

FX Matt Brewing also has brewed many of Flying Dog’s beers over the last decade due to limitations at Flying Dog’s brewery in Maryland, according to the statement.

“Flying Dog has created an amazing brand, award-winning beers, and offers us a great opportunity to grow in the Mid-Atlantic Region,” said Fred Matt, CEO of FX Matt Brewing Company, in a statement. “When you think of craft beer in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, Flying Dog is the first brand that pops into your head. We are excited to join forces with such a great brand and look forward to helping Flying Dog reach new heights.”

Details of the acquisition deal were not immediately released.

What's coming to Utica

Flying Dog will shift the production of all its beers to FX Matt over the course of the summer and is expected to cease operations in August. However, FX Matt is planning to keep a taproom and innovation brewery in the Frederick area.

Both companies believe the transition will be seamless, given their history together.

Flying Dog CEO Jim Caruso said FX Matt is offering employment opportunities to as many Flying Dog employees as possible. Flying Dog also will provide job placement assistance to employees, Caruso said.

Flying Dog CMO Ben Savage will become president of the Flying Dog division of FX Matt Brewing, according to the statement.

Caruso said Flying Dog’s current brewery, even with millions of dollars in investments, simply had too many limitations that put the beer company at a competitive disadvantage.

“I could not imagine a better steward for the Flying Dog brand going forward than FX Matt Brewing Company,” Caruso said in a statement. “We have worked with them for many years, they are a prestigious family-owned brewery with more than 135 years of history, they are committed to building on the deep roots Flying Dog has established in Maryland, and their capabilities will take Flying Dog to a new level.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Maryland brewery purchased by FX Matt Brewing: What's coming to Utica