Chipotle teams with three craft breweries for unique, local Farmhouse Ales

If there is anything more universally appreciated than craft beer, it just might be a Chipotle burrito. When these two expanding forces team up, can anything stop them? Our stomachs will have to find out: Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced the return of its partnership with local breweries to produce a one-of-a-kind “Cultivate Farmhouse Ale” that will be exclusively poured at the Cultivate Festivals this year.

These Cultivate Farmhouse Ales, each an interpretation of a farmhouse-style brew, will be made in partnership with Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco, Surly Brewing in Minneapolis and Lakewood Brewing in Dallas, and served at those respective events.

“For festival goers, Cultivate is a celebration of great local and artisanal foods, and also an opportunity to sample menu items that are only available at these events,” said Chris Arnold, director of communications at Chipotle. “The response to last year’s line of Cultivate Farmhouse Ales was positive, and so we wanted to continue those local partnerships and offer craft beer lovers a unique brew for this year’s festivals.”

Magnolia Brewing, Surly Brewing, and Lakewood Brewing have each created a never-before tasted recipe, highlighting unique and local ingredients. Cultivate Festival attendees can expect to taste one of the following Farmhouse Ales in their respective cities:

Magnolia Brewing

This expression of farmhouse brewing marries Belgian yeast and technique with English Maris Otter, an heirloom barley grown by Teddy Maufe at Branthill Farm in the small Norfolk town of Wells-next-the-Sea. The raw barley is turned into brewers’ malt through a labor-intensive, traditional process known as floor malting and the result is a beautiful grain prized for its plump kernels and distinctive, biscuity flavor. An addition of wheat malt adds a bright note and malted rye lends spice notes that dovetail with the spicy and fruity Belgian fermentation qualities. This beer’s hops were selected to complement those fruity and spicy notes: generous additions of American-grown Cascade and Goldings and German-grown Saaz round out its bright and refreshing flavor profile. 6.4 percent ABV.

Surly Brewing

For Surly Brewing’s take on the Cultivate Farmhouse Ale, head brewer Todd Haug created a pale, hazy yellow Belgian-style Saison brewed with Pils and Rye malt. Haug added bitterness to the brew with local Minnesota dandelion greens. This beer is crisp with a soft malt sweetness, balanced by the dandelion and rye dryness and all held together by a blend of fruity Belgian yeast strains. This one comes in at 33 IBUs and 5 percent ABV.

Lakewood Brewing Co.

For Dallas’ take on the Cultivate Farmhouse Ale, Lakewood Brewing Company highlights some of the great flavors from the state with this copper colored, slightly hazy session ale. This rendition incorporates Pale Moon™ North American 2-Row base malt from Blacklands Malt in Leander, Texas. As the only maltsters in Texas, the base malt produces a clean, moderately green sweetness. Bravo hops are used to bitter the beer, lending an earthy spice and herb quality, while Cascade and Citra hops are added in the late additions for floral and citrus notes. Texas wildflower honey is added for a touch of sweetness, and it’s fermented with a blend of house ale yeast and American farmhouse yeast, lending further sweet and spicy esters to the beer. The ale is then dry-hopped one last time with more Citra and Cascade, giving it a big dose of grapefruit, peach, and lemon aromas. 5.5 percent ABV.