SweetWater Smokey and the Brett debuts today; a part of the brewery’s ongoing Dank Tank Series. The name is actually based on an all too real beer heist (not just an amazing movie).
Let’s begin with the real story. Employees arrived at the brewery back in June, to find two flatbeds full of freshly packed beer missing. As it turns out, thieves drove up to the brewery in an 18 wheel cab and drove off with the flatbeds. The geniuses didn’t disable the GPS trackers, and it wasn’t long before the beer was recovered.
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If you think about it, it’s a little bit like the Burt Reynolds classic – Smokey and the Bandit. Minus a rockstar cast, Sally Field, and well, real life crime.
SweetWater Smokey and the Brett – wild India pale ale (that is, brewed with Brettanomyces) spawns the next fictitious adventure of the series main character, El Danko.
What You’re Sippin: Slow fermentation of Brettanomyces gives aromas of grapefruit and apricot. Acidity and tartness fade into light bitterness from a well balanced hop profile. Dry hopping showcases the New Zealand nugs, creating a slightly sweet and funky, complex and developed Brett IPA.
The brewery really nailed it on this release. Smokey is the most brettanomyces forward beer SweetWater has never released. Very hop forward and bright. Expect citrusy, juicy hops woven into a big brett background.
SweetWater Smokey and the Brett is a draft and 22 ounce bottle offering for a limited time stating August 31st.
Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: 8/31/16
7.3% ABV
Ed Note: The beer is a “brett IPA” per SweetWater. Because of the Brettanomyces, we classify this as American Wild Ale.
This is the most Brett driven beer I’ve had outside of Lambics. This is a truly outstanding beer.