'It's All About Thinking and Buying Local'

Boxes of beer making kits inside Maltose Express, 246 Main Street, give beginners an idea of how it will taste. One box says "German Pilsner, Our Clone to Samuel Adams Boston Lager" and other clones include popular brands like Heineken and Newcastle.

"We have a recipe book for beers, so when people make beer, they make something they like and they'll keep making it," said Mark Szamatulski, who owns Maltose with his wife Tess.

Amy Meador, a store employee, said a kit makes five gallons or 42 to 50 bottles of beer. "That's less than a dollar a bottle, which is very economical," she said.

"We have a lot of beer recipes for beer you cannot get in America, so you can't buy it here but you can make it," Meador said, adding the imports people can send away for are more expensive than making it themselves.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Interested in Monroe's news, events, community bulletins, blogs and businesses? Sign up for the free Monroe Patch daily newsletter, "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Meador said Mark and Tess Szamatulski have good palates and are skilled at cloning different varieties of beer. The couple has a book, "Clone Brews: Recipes for 200 Commercial Beers". It is available at the store.

Wine Too

Maltose Express also caters to those who prefer to make their own wine. Meador said cases of grapes are sold during wine season in the fall and fresh red and white grape juice is sold at the store year-round.

Mark Szamatulski said the grape juice is from Italy and California for different tasting wines.

Maltose Express offers workshops with beer and wine making demonstrations, including a big event every August. Visit their website and Facebook page for details.

One event coming soon is a Beer Fault Class scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. The cost is $20 per person and pre-registration is required.

Maltose Express has been part of the community in Monroe for 20 years, moving and expanding within the town's borders twice during the period. Its space at 246 Main Street is its third home.

Business After Hours

Maltose Express had a table at opening day of the Monroe Farmers Market this year and has also participated in charities for town organizations like Project Warmth. Last week, it hosted the Monroe Chamber of Commerce's after hours networking event.

Tavern restaurant, 262 Main Street, catered the event, bringing in macaroni and cheese — plain and with bacon — and chicken wings. Tavern also handed out $20 gift certificates to everyone at the event, from local officials to members of the business community.

Maltose Express served a tangerine/lemon Sauvignon Blanc, a 2010 cabernet Sauvignon from Lodi grapes, and two kinds of beer, Anchor's Brekles Brown and a maple wheat ale. The evening also included a tour of Maltose Express's facility.

Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Ray Giovanni said, "We're very happy to be here, because we're supporting other chamber members. It's all about thinking and buying local."

Giovanni said Maltose Express does just that, buying the honey for its beer from a local beekeeper, for example.

"It's great to give them exposure and for us to learn about them," Giovanni said, adding a goal of the chamber is to open doors to people.

First Selectman Steve Vavrek and State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-112th) were among the small crowd at the chamber event.

"I do this myself. I've made beer," Vavrek said. "I'm making wine now. I appreciate having a place like this in town. Not only do they sell kits, but they walk you through the process. It's consumer-friendly."

The first selectman also praised Maltose Express for remaining in town during both of its expansions.

Of hosting the Monroe Chamber event, Tess Szamatulski said, "We're kind of stuck in the store. We don't get out much, so it's great for people to come here. It's a great turnout and it's nice to have our landlord, David Sippin, and the first selectman here and to get people who wouldn't normally come in."

A Time to Network

Among those attending the business after hours were Teri Rotella, a member of the Monroe Economic Development Commission, who was recently hired as director of business development for Crossroads Consulting, a Monroe executive recruiting firm.

"We are generalists," she said. "We've placed everything from a dog groomer to the CEO of a company."

Rotella said Crossroads finds only full-time jobs for clients all over the country, nothing part-time or temporary.

Wendy Grasso, who does community relations for Spadaccino and Leo Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, said, "I think it's unusual to see a funeral home being involved with the Chamber of Commerce and getting out into the community. We have a real commitment to being a part of Monroe."

Grasso is a co-chair of The Power Network, a business leads group exclusive to Monroe and Newtown chamber of commerce members.

"I've seen a few new faces and it’s nice to get to know new people and be part of the event," Grasso said of the after hours at Maltose Express.

Janice Snyder of Newtown Savings Bank said the networking event provides wonderful exposure for local businesses. "They may know someone who has a banking need and you can refer people to someone you know and trust."