Northern California Unites With Southern California in This Long-Awaited Collaboration
Between Two West Coast Breweries
Sonoma County, CA— What makes a spectacular beer, you ask? Well, something that’s half mermaid and half bear, of course. By land and by sea, MerBear Rye IPA™, the brain child of NorCal heavyweight Bear Republic and SoCal icon Coronado Brewing, is set to hit shelves mid-February.
“It was awesome to be brewing with one of the originals in the industry and someone we have always looked up to,” added Ryan Brooks, Head Brewer at Coronado Brewing. He continued, “The fact that we got to brew on the same system as Racer 5® and other legends was a cool moment for me in my career.”
“It was fun putting our heads together for the MerBear collaboration, and we look forward to seeing how the MerBear project evolves in the future, added Bear Republic Head Brewer Rob Kent.
The wonderful friendship began a few years ago when Bear Republic’s Brewmaster/COO Richard Norgrove and President Rick Chapman of Coronado met for beers at a local San Diego beer bar, where they discussed the idea of the two breweries creating something special. After countless collaborative visits, MerBear was born.
Bear Republic’s Brewmaster/COO Richard “Ricardo” Norgrove said, “As the story goes, a man of the sea from distant Fathom’s…Dennis, joined North and South brewers. Now that we’re together, we are searching for the elusive MerBear. It’s a simple, honest quest…a great beer made together. Enjoy our search for the MerBear!”
Last month, the brewers from Bear Republic and Coronado came together and brewed two versions of this epic collaboration. Both coming in at 7.5% ABV, these beers are pungent and each are layered with a blend of different hops, creating two different experiences for the beer drinker.
“We have always respected the team and loved drinking their beers, said Brandon Richards, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing at Coronado Brewing. “We’ve built a solid relationship with Bear Republic and enjoy working with each other any chance we get,” continued Richards. “This is something I can see developing into more collaborations in the future.”
Bear Republic’s MerBear will be on tap at the brewpub beginning Friday, February 12. Check out www.bearrepublic.com/events for a list of MerBear events and collaborative tap takeovers.
Bear Republic’s MerBear Rye IPA™
Description: A Rye IPA collaboration with San Diego’s pioneering Coronado Brewing Company. The pungent and layered blend of Ella, El Dorado, Equinox, and Azacca dry hops coupled with a whirlpool addition of Buddha’s Hand creates an aromatic explosion, ending with a spicy malt caramel backbone.
Availability: 22 oz. bottles and draft
Hops: Super Galena, Ella, El Dorado, Equinox, Azacca, Buddha’s Hand
ABV: 7.5% – IBUs: 65 – Rye IPA with Buddha’s Hand
Coronado’s MerBear Rye IPA™
Description: A Rye IPA collaboration with iconic Northern California’s Bear Republic. The pungent and fruity hop character comes through from Amarillo, Hallertau Blanc, Centennial and Equinox hops ending with a spicy malt caramel backbone.
Availability: 22 oz. bottles and draft
Hops: Amarillo, Hallertau Blanc, Centennial, and Equinox
ABV: 7.5% – IBUs: 45 – Rye IPA
#MERBEARRYEIPA #BEARREPUBLIC #RYEIPA #CRAFTBEER #HONESTALES
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