This week, Wild Heaven Craft Beers (Avondale Estates, GA) and The Wrecking Bar (Atlanta, GA) unveil a new collaboration. Just in time for Atlanta Beer Week 2012, the two breweries have created a Polish-style Grätzer dubbed Wrecking Heaven. Before we get into the collab, let’s review what Grätzer is.
Grätzer is the German term for an indigenous Polish beer style called Grodziskie. You’ll see mention of the style in Polish brewing history through the late 1900’s. A Grätzer is a top fermented smoked wheat beer. Why is there a German term for the name? Two reasons actually. Grätzer is derived from the town of Grätz, now known as Grodzisk in Poland. Historically, the brew contained a mix of Polish and German hops & wheat. The two breweries recreated this style, at the Wrecking Bar in Atlanta.
Wrecking Heaven’ is a Grätzer, which is a little-known Polish style that is brewed with smoked wheat malt. We added the twist of some Special B malt as well as using Magnum and Nelson Sauvin hops. It clocks in at around 4.2% ABV and is a deliciously sessionable beer with smoky notes and a piney viniferous nose and finish. It is fermented with a Kolsch yeast and has a dry crispness through the finish with hints of tropical fruits and citrus.
This is Wrecking Bar’s first distributed beer. Tappings to follow.
Style: Smoked Wheat Beer (Grätzer)
Availability: Draft only
4.2% ABV
Taps 10/25/12
Locations:
@BrickStorePub @TwainsDecatur @PorterBeerBar @TheFredBar @MidwayPub @AugustineATL @TrappezePub (Athens, GA)
