How Do You Like Them Apples?
What are the odds of a brewmaster living within walking distance of a cider distillery? If you're our Brewmaster Matt Brophy, said odds are damn good.
The agricultural collaboration on Orchard Ale, our October Brewhouse Rarities release, spawned from Matt's frequent visits to Distillery Lane Ciderworks, located less than 15 miles from our brewery in Jefferson, Maryland. With 3,000 trees and 50 apple varieties, all of Distillery Lane's hard and fresh ciders are made from estate-grown apples that are picked by hand.
Packaging today, Orchard Ale is a Belgian-inspired ale brewed with 1,000 gallons of fresh apple juice from Distillery Lane. The green apple flavor -- from Bulmer's Norman, Summer Rambo, and Tremlett's Bitters apples -- is complimented by the tropical fruit notes imparted by El Diablo Belgian yeast (made famous in our Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA).
Here are some specifics:
- 8.5% ABV
- 20 IBU
- Specialty malts: Pilsner, Aromatic, Torrified Wheat
- Hops: Hallertau
We'll have simultaneous releases of Orchard Ale on Tuesday, October 15 in our brewery taproom and at The Pig in Washington, DC.
It will be on tap for sampling (5 for $5) and growler fills in our taproom from 5 to 7 pm. The Pig will have special happy hour (5-7 pm) pricing on both Orchard Ale and Distillery Lane's Celebration hard cider, along with small-plate pairings from the kitchen.
Orchard Ale is available on draft only in the mid-Atlantic. Check our Beer Finder to see if it's flowing near you.