Widmer Brothers Introduces Alchemy Ale
PORTLAND, Ore. – Mar. 25, 2013 –Widmer Brothers Brewing has introduced the newest addition to its year-round, core line-up: Alchemy Ale, a beer that features the brewery’s proprietary Alchemy hop blend.
The Alchemy hop blend was developed by a local hop merchant and Widmer Brothers brewers in 2006, and has become a key ingredient in every Widmer Brothers beer. Since its development, the brewing team has experimented with a variety of recipes designed to showcase the unique characteristics of the super high alpha Alchemy hop blend. After exploring several recipes, hop additions and styles, the recipe for Alchemy Ale emerged as a favorite among Widmer Brothers brewers.
Alchemy hops are a blend of choice hops from the Pacific Northwest, hand-selected by Widmer Brothers brewers each year. After the annual selection of hops, they are blended during the pelletization process which creates a unique, blended pelletized hop exclusively for Widmer Brothers Brewing. This secret blend is the backbone for all Widmer Brothers beers and the magic behind Alchemy Ale.
“Alchemy Ale is a great expression of brewing art and science,” said Joe Casey, Brewmaster. “We initially developed the Alchemy hop blend as a way to differentiate Widmer Brothers beers while managing variances in hop crops from year to year. And while the Alchemy blend contributes to all of our beers in some way, no other beer in our portfolio showcases the complexity of flavors and aromas in hop blending better than its namesake, Alchemy Ale.”
“As brewers, we practice alchemy every day,” said Rob Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “There’s a lot of ways to combine water, malt, hops and yeast to brew a great beer. With Alchemy, we really wanted to celebrate the brewing process; turning traditional brewing ingredients into liquid gold – and we’re really happy with the result.”
Alchemy Ale is now available year-round in markets across the country on-draught, in 12- and six-packs, and in 22-ounce bottles. Alchemy Ale can be found using the Widmer Brothers beer finder: widmerbrothers.com/find-beer. Widmer Brothers will be hosting a nationwide launch party for Alchemy Ale in 10 cities on April 19. For more info about Alchemy Ale Night, please visit the Widmer Brothers Facebook page: facebook.com/WidmerBrothersBrewing.
About Alchemy Ale
We practice alchemy every day turning water, malt, hops and yeast into liquid gold. Alchemy Ale melds years of experimentation and our special Alchemy hop blend, in a pure expression of brewing art and science. Join us in unlocking the mystery to the perfectly balanced, perfectly hopped ale. Alchemy Ale has a bright, distinct hop character balanced with hints of caramel and a remarkably smooth finish.
Proprietary Hop Blend: Alchemy hops are a blend of choice hops from the Pacific Northwest, hand-selected by our brewers each year. This secret blend is the backbone of all our beers, and the magic behind Alchemy Ale.
Malts: Pale, Caramel, Munich, Vienna Extra Special
Original Gravity: 13.8 Plato
IBU: 40
ABV: 5.8%
About Widmer Brothers Brewing
What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their 20s, they dreamed of brewing unique interpretations of traditional beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best-selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including its Rotator IPA Series, Drifter Pale Ale, Pitch Black IPA, Nelson Imperial IPA, a high-end Brothers’ Reserve Series and a full four seasonal lineup. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmerbrothers.com.
