Need more proof that American-brewed craft beer is impacting the global beer scene? Look no further than the Munich, Germany-based Hacker-Pschorr Brewery expanding its U.S. offerings with a limited-release specialty beer series consisting of four small batch beers, brewed and packaged specially for variety-thirsty U.S. beer lovers.
“Hacker-Pshorr has been in the U.S. since the 1800s, so we’ve seen peoples’ beer preferences change over time. It’s important to adapt to those changes, but do it without losing your identity,” said Charles Stanley, the U.S. brand manager for Hacker-Pschorr. “Until fairly recently, most beer drinkers had a go-to brand or style that they drank consistently, and our lineup of year-round beers catered to that. But now more and more beer enthusiasts want variety, which gives us an opportunity to show off the excellent specialty beers that Hacker-Pschorr’s brewers craft in Munich.”
The first in the series, Hubertus Bock, will reach retailers in March 2014, followed by Sternweisse in May, Festbier in August, and Animator in November. Each beer will be brewed to order in a single small batch and completely allocated to retailers who place pre-orders. Hubertus Bock is a member of the Maibock family. Sternweisse, which translates to “Wheat Star,” is an unfiltered, full-bodied, amber-hued wheat beer that, like all Hacker-Pschorr beers, adheres to the Reinheitsgebot (German Purity Law that specifies malt, water and hops — and later yeast — as the only ingredients). Festbier, a strong but highly quaffable lager. Animator is a Doppelbock that heralds Bavaria’s fifth season of the year: Starkbierzeit, meaning strong beer season.
Our take: Craft brewers have seen increased demand overseas — leading to some of the biggest export numbers to date. International brewers are starting to take notice and stepping up their game in an increasingly competitive and maturing market.
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