After revisiting a beer style from the 1800s for the last installment of its popular Unchained small-batch series, Summit is turning to a newer, trendier brand of brew for the next one: 100% Organic Ale has been announced as Unchained #12. The limited-edition brew will hit bars and stores next week. Per the beer-geeky promotional machinery at the pioneering St. Paul brewery, the "100%" designation is relevant because most beers advertised as organic aren't entirely so.
"It is extremely difficult to find ingredients like organic yeast," explained Unchained brewer Gabe Smoley, who apparently gave 110% to create his own certified organic yeast strain for the beer. The designation could distinguish Summit's brew from the other popular organic beers out there, including the Organic ESB by Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery, Deschutes' Green Lakes Organic Ale (from Oregon) and Peak Brewery's Peak Organic (Maine). Summit's brand is advertised as a lighter ale with 60 IBU (mid-level hoppiness). Click here to read more about it.
As always, Summit will roll out the Unchained barrels with a series of events:
March 11: Meet the brewer – MacKenzie's Pub, Minneapolis, 2-5 pm
March 11: Release party – Butcher & The Boar beer garden, Minneapolis, 5-8 pm
March 13: Meet the brewer and food pairings – Brasa St. Paul, 5-9 pm
March 14: "Hoppy Meals" pairings – Republic Uptown, 4-6 pm; Republic Seven Corners, 7-9 pm
March 15: Firkin Friday with Organic Ale cask – Grumpy's NE, 4 pm
March 21: Meet Gabe and sample Organic Ale – Four Firkins, 6-8 pm
