India Pale Ale Brewed with Elderberries & Coriander

Collaborators: Kyle Hollingsworth, Homebrewer & Keyboardist for The String Cheese Incident / Keri Kelli, Rocker & Publican / Mitch Steele, Brewmaster, Stone Brewing Co.

We all enjoy turning things up to 11, and that is represented in this collaborative offering, an imperial India pale ale ably backed by Nugget, Comet and Calypso hops and amplified care of a healthy dry-hopping with Australian hop Vic Secret, adding citrus and tropical fruit oomph. To give this modern masterpiece some soulful, classic character, we traced the roots of brewing to the days when Old World herbs were used to spice beers and added coriander and elderberries. To stand up to that sumptuous spice and blaring bitterness, we included golden naked oats, which are lightly roasted and bring body and enhanced mouthfeel to the beer like a steady, unbreakable backbeat to an incendiary solo.

Developing this beer with two professional musicians from such different backgrounds was a fun and unique experience. Besides loving to play music, the three of us also share a common love for craft beer, so we were all excited to combine music and brewing. The jam sessions with Team Stone after each brew day were awesome, and it was an honor to share the “stage” with Kyle and Keri. The historic throwback of using elderberries to spice the beer, in addition to hops, was an interesting choice and makes this beer distinct and unique.