Brooklyn Brewery‘s newest release features a super cool ingredient. Brooklyn Brewery x Yolélé Fonio White Beer is brewed with fonio, the nutritious ancient West African grain that Yolélé has helped bring to the American masses. Yolélé and Brooklyn Brewery share the goal of promoting a more viable future for food and beverage. The beer itself shines golden with the tiny blond grains — which are packed full of nutrients and health benefits — and underscores these companies’ commitment to furthering sustainability through strategic ingredient-sourcing.
Pierre Thiam, the trailblazing Senegalese chef, restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author, and entrepreneur who co-founded Yolélé in 2017 explains, “It’s been my mission to bring the flavors of Africa to America. By utilizing fonio in food and beverage sold in the States, Yolélé supports livelihoods on smallholder farms in West Africa. Working with Garrett and the Brooklyn Brewery team has been an incredible partnership, and I am proud to see this delicious beer with an African flair on the shelves of Whole Foods Market.”
Known as the “seed of the universe,” fonio, a grain in the millet family, is a staple crop and source of sustenance. The ancient African grain has thrived in West Africa for over 5,000 years. Fonio flourishes in a hot, dry region near the Sahara Desert, where little else can grow. As a drought-resistant crop, it may hold key lessons about agriculture in the face of climate change. Fonio also has a nutrient rich profile; it is a good source of fiber, iron, B-vitamins, zinc, and magnesium, as well as antioxidant flavonoids, and is particularly high in two amino acids— methionine and cysteine— which promote hair, skin, and nail growth.
“A few years ago I saw Chef Pierre Thiam’s TED talk about fonio, and immediately said to myself ‘This grain sounds amazing…I wonder if we can make beer from it?'” explains Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster, Garrett Oliver. “After all, beer brewing has been an important part of traditional African cultures for thousands of years, and here was one of the grains that was once a staple for people in that part of the world.”
Brooklyn Brewery previously featured fonio in their recent collaborative brew with Run The Jewels, a double pilsner dubbed 36” Chain, and in Seed, Stalk And Root, brewed in partnership with Cajun Fire Brewing Co.
“We hope that this beer can do several things in the future, beyond tasting delicious,” says Miles Moser, Brooklyn Brewery’s VP of Sales. “It can serve as an educational opportunity promoting Fonio and other grains grown with sustainability in mind as viable ingredients in food products that can really make a difference in the world. Fonio has a brewing functionality that can be incorporated into both established and avant-garde brewing recipes, and we’re excited to share that with the world.”
The limited release, which combines fonio’s nutty, wheaty character with juicy hops in a smooth and refreshing riff on classic white beer (5.6 % ABV), will start rolling out at select Whole Foods Market stores throughout the Northeast throughout October and in Brooklyn Brewery’s Tasting Room.
“When I started brewing professionally in the late 80s, we really only had a few beer ingredients that we worked with,” Oliver says. “Today the world of brewing is much more creative, culturally inclusive, and we’re making beers from wonderful ingredients that we’ve re-discovered. Given that fonio requires no irrigation, needs no pesticides, builds the soil, and can help halt desertification, I hope we’re going to see a lot more fonio in beer in the future.”
Dust Bowl Brewing redesigns Hobo Pilsner
Dust Bowl Brewing Co. unveiled a new design and package size for what has become its most-awarded beer, Hobo Pilsner. First brewed and packaged in 2014, the bright, crisp Pilsner has earned more accolades than any other Dust Bowl beer. Hobo transitions from a 12oz. / 6pk to the new 19.2oz. single-serve in an effort to increase Dust Bowl’s presence at the C-Store level.
The new look is a mix of old and new. The label takes on striking new colors of light and bright blues with graphics that harken to the brand’s original look of a 1930’s hobo traveler on a background of hobo language. The hobo symbols were a way for the travelers to let the next group coming through town know what to expect, such as the availability of a beer, work or a bed for the night.
“It’s always gratifying when you brew a beer that continues to resonate with consumers and beer judges alike,” shares Brett Tate, Founder and Owner of Dust Bowl Brewing Co. “Hobo is now in its eighth year in our portfolio. The branding itself goes way back to a time that actually provided the inspiration to start Dust Bowl Brewing Company. My grandpa was a real-life hobo back in the 1930’s. Riding the rails was a way of life that eventually led my family out west. I’m proud of the hard work and grit that shaped my family as Great Depression pioneers. I’m committed to honoring my past and keeping our company moving forward in the best way possible.”
Evil Genius goes to White Castle (to brew a beer)
Philadelphia-based Evil Genius Beer Co. has made a national name for itself by teaming with the biggest brands across the country including Jameson Irish Whiskey, Miller High Life, and Auntie Anne’s. Now Evil Genius has partnered with White Castle for It Hits Different — a 6.5% ABV Tangerine IPA brewed with the new, exciting Sabro Hop as well as classic Centennial Hops to celebrate White Castle’s recent hundredth birthday.
With subtle bitterness from the beer’s unique hop profile countered with a pleasant, light tangerine sweetness, It Hits Different was developed to be the perfect partner to White Castle’s signature sliders. The cheeky name is a nod to the two companies’ legacies as tastemakers, creating a product that is one-of-a-kind and uniquely satisfying–there’s nothing else like it.
“Nostalgia is such a big part of our brand and with White Castle’s over one hundred year legacy it just seemed like a perfect fit to partner with them to create a beer that is as memorable as it is tasty,” said Evil Genius Co-Founder, Trevor Hayward.
It Hits Different will be available starting October 3rd in stores throughout Evil Genius’ distribution footprint including DE, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, VA and RI. Brandgenuity, the licensing agency for White Castle, brokered the partnership and is supporting the program rollout.
Avery Brewing raises proceeds for avalanche rescue dogs with newest core beer
Patrol Dog Pale ale is Avery Brewing Co.‘s newest release, and its latest core lineup addition, developed in partnership with the National Ski Patrol to raise proceeds for avalanche rescue dog programs across the country. Brewed with pure Rocky Mountain water and classic American Hops, Patrol Dog Pale boasts a balanced hop aroma and low bitterness, making it a bright and refreshing American pale ale.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to craft and release our first collaboration beer with the National Ski Patrol,” shared Adam Avery, Founder of Avery Brewing Company. “Avalanche Rescue Dogs play a vital role in search-and-rescue teams, and we’re excited to release a collaborative beer that will go toward supporting avalanche rescue dog programs across the country.”
“Avery has distinguished themselves as one of the most dog-friendly brewing companies in the Front Range, and this partnership will raise proceeds to support avalanche rescue dog programs here in the Rocky Mountains and beyond,” said Matt Mears, the Director of Sales and Partnerships at the National Ski Patrol.
Shiner completes Tex Hex IPA trilogy with Twin Dream
Shiner Beer just launched Twin Dream Double IPA, the third & final addition to their Tex Hex IPA trilogy. Twin Dream (9.5% ABV / 80 IBU) is Shiner’s highest octane release yet, uniquely brewed using cactus water and a blend of American hops (Idaho 7 and citra hops). Twin Dream evokes bold flavors of citrus and pine. Previous releases in the trilogy included Tex Hex Bruja’s Brew IPA (7% ABV) and Desert Mirage IPA (ABV 8%).
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