Founded in 1878, The Genesee Brewing Company, based in Rochester, New York, is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States. The Brewery makes the Genesee line of beers, including the iconic Genesee, the refreshing Genny Light, and the original Genesee Cream Ale.
The Brewery had 12 massive fermentation tanks built in China and shipped to Albany, NY and now they are being shipped on barges via the Erie Canal. The canal trip is 225 miles and is expected to take a week or so.
Interestingly, shipping via barge and the canal is less expensive that using rail or truck transport and the canal can easily handle the size and weight of the massive tanks.
The combined length of the 2 barges and the tug, CMT Otter, is too long to fit in the lock at the same time.  So, the tug pushes the first barge into the lock, disconnects and backs itself and the second barge out.  The first barge is locked through the lock and is pulled out using the lock’s capstan.  Once the first barge is through, the lock is closed and the process is repeated with the second barge and tug.  After the barge and tug are locked through, they reconnect with the first barge and continue their journey down the canal to the next lock.
The tanks are 20 feet by 60 feet tall and are capable of holding 2,000 barrels each; that’s the equivalent of 27,560 cases of beer, or approximately 661,440 12 ounce servings. We get thirsty here :-)