And then there were seven.
In the local craft brewing world consumers sometimes need a scorecard to keep up with new releases, limited and seasonal releases, what’s coming out in bottles, what’s in cans or on tap. But like any changing menu, there are always a few staples that will forever be in place when you need them. At Schlafly these are called the ‘Year Round Series’ and till this week there have only been six deemed worthy to be always available year round. Pale Ale, Hefeweizen, Dry Hopped APA, Kolsch and Oatmeal Stout.
Move over big six, you’ve got company.
Grapefruit IPA is the first new release to the year-round series since 2007. The beer actually made its debut this past summer, on draft only at the Schlafly Tap Room and Bottleworks brewery-restaurants in June and quickly sold out.
Now, we have seen fruit beers before. But most around the world are fruit flavored. Not this Grapefruit IPA.
“We want people to know this is a true fruit beer, not a fruit-flavored beer,” Schlafly Ambassador Brewer Stephen Hale says. “We’re experienced in using purées of real ingredients, like in our Raspberry Hefeweizen and our Pumpkin Ale. One of our core disciplines at Schlafly is a dedication to ingredients to ensure our beers are free of additives and artificial flavors.”
Here’s how they do it. The brewers, in partnership with the good folks at Oregon Fruit Products have cooked up a special grapefruit purée made with whole fruit—rind, pulp, and all—and no added sugar, flavorings, or extracts. The beer is then brewed with a collection of American ale yeast and special hops – Citra, Cascade, and Chinook to add more citrus and floral elements.
Grapefruit IPA rings in at a 5% ABV for a distinctive and boldly flavored India Pale Ale with a crisp hoppiness.
Grapefruit IPA can be purchased at the Tap Room or Bottleworks locations or in six-packs ($8.99) across the brewery’s distribution region. The beer can also be enjoyed on draft at the Schlafly Tap Room or Bottleworks, as well as select on-premise locations.
