Redhook
Artwork: Redhook Ben Harris Beer
Attempting to create something good from an unfortunate tragedy is Redhook’s Ben Harris Beer. Ben died from wounds received from an exploding keg. To honor Ben’s life, Redhook has created a beer in his honor. Ben Harris Beer is a cream ale, one Redhook thought Ben would enjoy the most. It has already debuted on draft this past weekend.
Draft will make it’s way to tap handles nationally, with bottles hitting New England markets of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, including his home state of Pennsylvania. (August)
Style: Cream Ale
Hops: Sterling, Saaz, Hallertau
Malts: Two Row Barley, Carapils
Adjuncts: Corn
4.7% ABV, 19 IBUs
“Ben Harris was an incredible man. He was a longtime member of the Redhook family, a friend to all of us and a beer lover through and through,” said Alex Kopf, Redhook senior brewer.
Redhook Ben Harris Tribute Launching Nationally
Tragedy struck Redhook Brewery earlier this year when a keg exploded killing worker Ben Harris. A memorial beer has been brewed for Ben, to help benefit the family he left behind. On Friday July 20th, the first kegs the tribute beer tap at Redhook, with all proceeds donated to the Ben Harris Fund. To best honor Ben, the brewery chose a cream ale
The beer will hit draft nationally over the rest of the summer, with bottles coming to the New England markets of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts, including his home state of Pennsylvania.
About the beer:
Style: Cream Ale
Hops: Sterling, Saaz, Hallertau
Malts: Two Row Barley, Carapils
Adjuncts: Corn
4.7% ABV, 19 IBUs
“Ben Harris was an incredible man. He was a longtime member of the Redhook family, a friend to all of us and a beer lover through and through,” said Alex Kopf, Redhook senior brewer.
Redhook’s Ben Harris Tribute Beer Releases Friday (PR)
(Portsmouth, NH) — Redhook Brewery invites the New England community to remember and celebrate Ben Harris with a special tapping of Ben Harris Beer, a memorial beer brewed for Ben. The keg tapping celebration will be held at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, N.H., located at 1 Redhook Way, on Friday, July 20, from 4:00-11:00 p.m. All proceeds from Ben Harris Beer sold during the event will benefit the Ben Harris Fund.
After the July 20 tapping, Redhook will donate $1 to the Ben Harris Fund for every pint of Ben Harris Beer sold at the Cataqua Pub. Redhook Brewery plans to make Ben Harris Beer available on draught nationally over the next several weeks and months. Starting this fall, the brewery plans to bottle Ben Harris Beer and distribute it in the New England markets of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Additionally, Redhook plans to make the bottled beer available in Ben’s home state of Pennsylvania.
“Ben Harris was an incredible man. He was a longtime member of the Redhook family, a friend to all of us and a beer lover through and through,” said Alex Kopf, Redhook senior brewer. “We chose to brew a cream ale for Ben to represent not only the type of beer he loved, but also the man he was: a fun-loving, hard-working family man. There’s nothing we’d like more than to be enjoying this beer with Ben, and we hope that the community will join us in honoring his legacy and celebrating his life by raising a pint.”
About Ben Harris Beer
Ben Harris Beer is Redhook’s special take on the classic cream ale style, brewed in tribute to our friend and teammate, Ben Harris. This is a beer that Ben would have wanted to drink. It’s a beer brewed for those who work hard and play hard, just as Ben did. But most importantly, it’s a beer brewed for us to share as we remember and celebrate Ben’s life.
Ben liked a touch of hops in his beer, so we hopped up a classic cream ale recipe, Redhook style. Ben Harris Beer was brewed with ingredients you’d expect to find in cream ale: two-row barley, carapils for a touch of sweetness, victory malt for a touch of breadiness and a dose of corn for good measure. We hopped it up with some Sterling, Saaz, and Hallertau hops, which create a crisp, clean and refreshing beer just for Ben. Ben Harris Beer is 4.7% ABV and 19 IBU.
About Redhook
Redhook was born out of the energy and spirit of the early 80s in the heart of Seattle. While the term didn’t exist at the time, Redhook became one of America’s first “craft” breweries. From a modest start in a former transmission shop in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, to the current breweries in Woodinville, Wash., and Portsmouth, N.H., Redhook has become one of America’s most recognized craft breweries. While Redhook has “grown up” during the past 30 years, one thing has never changed — Redhook is still brewing great beers like ESB, IPA, Copperhook, Pilsner and seasonal brews. Most importantly, Redhook makes sure to have fun doing it. Redhook’s beers are available both on draught and in bottles around the country. For more information, visit www.redhook.com.
Red Hook Cat Nap Barrel Aged Porter
Redhook Creates Ben’s Beer For Fallen Employee
We thought we might see this. Redhook is working on a tribute beer for their fallen employee Ben Harris. The 26 year old was killed in April of this year when a keg he was cleaning exploded. He was going to be a father soon. Ben’s Beer currently only has draft approval. No details on style.
Redhook Tripel Belgian Style Ale
Redhook Statement Following Worker Fatality
Just a couple of days ago, Redhook suffered a terrible tragedy. 26 year old Ben Harris was killed when a keg exploded, fatally injuring him. He was going to be father soon. In lieu of flowers, or other memorial items – please contribute to the fund below…
From Redhook:
All,
We are grateful for the outpouring of support that we’ve received from the community after Tuesday’s tragic accident in Portsmouth. Ben Harris had been a member of the Redhook family for more than seven years, first working at the Cataqua Pub and most recently as part of our brewing operations team. His wife, Alysha Miller, is expecting his child and is also part of the Redhook family as a server in our pub. Ben was a wonderful man, a dedicated member of our team and a friend to all who knew him. We are heartbroken by this tragedy and are grieving with the family.
We would like to thank the community and the media for respecting the family’s privacy as well as that of our employees as we mourn together. We would also like to thank our family of employees for their support in this process, as this is an extremely difficult time for all of us and our top priority is taking care of Ben’s family and our team.
There is an assessment underway to reveal exactly what happened Tuesday morning. Although the investigation is still in process, there are several facts that we can confirm:
– The accident was caused by an exploding plastic keg ;
– The keg was not owned or used by Redhook Brewery or any other CBA brewery;
– It is normal protocol for the brewery to receive kegs that aren’t ours from time to time;
– Ben was handling the keg at the time it exploded.
It is extremely important to us that we understand exactly what happened before
we share additional information about this tragedy. There is an evaluation in progress and we can assure you that we will issue further information when the report is complete.
In the meantime, we ask for continued thoughts and prayers for Ben’s family, friends, and everyone touched by this accident.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to: The Alysha Miller Harris Baby Fund c/o TD Bank, 20 International Drive, Portsmouth, NH, 03801, (603) 430-3812.
“His goal in life was to be a father,” Alysha Miller said in an e-mail to Seacoastonline.
