In the sunny month of June, Arcs Brewing in the quaint Hapeville, Georgia, introduced its vibrant mango guava sour beer dubbed ‘Head Held High,’ in commemoration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Arches Brewing is renowned in the vicinity of Atlanta Airport for its splendid traditional lagers and an eclectic array of community-focused events. In christening Head Held High, Arches joined forces with Hapeville stalwarts, Douglas and Dewey, who have the honor of serving this Nitro-infused brew at their tavern throughout summer.
Douglas and Dewey, the brains behind Douglas Dewey Creative, have an impressive portfolio of shows held at Arches, such as Drag Bingo, Stand-Up Comedy, Immersive Theater, Family-Friendly Community Gatherings, and much more. They are intrinsic to the tavern’s character and uphold the essential principle of Arches – fostering an inclusive and secure environment for all.
“Head Held High” embodies a jovial spirit. As Douglas McGeoch, the co-owner of Douglas Dewey Creative explains, it aims to symbolize the pride one takes in oneself, while also alluding to the quality of the beer’s frothy head.
This delightful beer tantalizes the palate with a tangy bite, followed by a smooth tropical fruit finish, making it the ultimate companion for summer revelries, from relaxing in a hammock to enjoying sunsets with friends.
Bradford Shoemaker, a brewmaster at Arches Brewing, eloquently stated, “Our community is brimming with positivity, and we are eager to proliferate the message of embracing oneself. Additionally, we endeavored to craft a light, tropical beer for Atlanta’s sweltering days. Infusing sour beer with nitro is unorthodox, but we aspired to mellow the tartness while enhancing the delicate sweetness from the mango and pink guava. Head Held High is brewed with copious amounts of wheat and a dash of lactose to further smoothen the texture and create a creamy appearance.”
Meanwhile, on the West Coast, San Diego’s Second Chance Beer Co. unveiled Easy Livin’, a 6.4% ABV Cold IPA, concocted by master brewer Marty Mendiola and head brewer Thomas Mercado. Featuring an exquisite blend of Idaho 7, Ekuanot, and Mosaic hops, Easy Livin’ boasts a crisp and clean profile with aromatic notes of peach, blueberry, pineapple, and mango. The beer is characterised by its intense hop flavor and aroma. Furthermore, a portion of sales is donated to animal rescues, in alignment with Second Chance’s ethos of giving back.
Moreover, Short’s Brewing recently highlighted their Gin & Tonic Inspired Ale, Melt My Brain. This novel creation is akin to a cocktail with its infusion of gin botanicals – coriander and juniper berries, complemented by an abundance of fresh lime and homemade tonic water, adding effervescence to this delectable brew.
In another feat, the Original 40 Brewing Company, with its new Head Brewer Zack Kaplan, launched Hi Tiki, a tropical-inspired sour ale with an ABV of 5.0%, combining pineapple, coconut, and Sabro hops, emanating tropical flavors with a moderate tartness.
Family Vacation, a 5.0% ABV golden ale by Roadhouse Brewing Co., is another noteworthy brew. Crisp and subtly hopped, it features floral notes with a hint of cookie malts and a smooth finish, making it an ideal beverage for family gatherings and summer festivities.
In a similar vein, Epic Brewing presents its Pineapple Creamsicle IPA, reminiscent of a classic ice cream treat, with an adult twist. Laden with pineapple puree and milk sugar, this 8.5% ABV IPA captivates the senses.
Ska Brewing and Manhattan Brewing Company have collaborated to create 2 Tone IPA, a lively brew with Wildcat colors and an innovative hopping program. It was crafted with a fusion of yeasts and a mélange of hops, yielding a juicy flavor profile.
Lastly, Lawson’s Finest Liquids released Hopcelot IPA in honor of Vermont’s renowned band, The Grift. With a blend of hops from the Pacific Northwest, Australia, and New Zealand, this 7% ABV IPA offers a complex flavor profile and an aromatic punch of citrus and pine.
