3 Collaborative Beers Worth Checking Out

A few noteworthy collaboration beers have hit shelves and tap lines recently. Last week we got a taste of Burnside and Breakside’s tag team brew made by Jason McAdam and Ben Edmunds. The autumn release made on Breakside system featured spicy New Mexico Hatch chiles, roasted tomatoes, locally grown corn and lime zest. We attended the release at Spints Alehouse where the brewers and Spints founder Alyssa Gregg were on hand to talk about this uniquely flavored brew.

Ninkasi Brewing of Eugene collaborated with 21st Amendment Brewing of San Francisco for another one-of-a-kind brew known as “Allies Win the War.” 21A’s Shaun O’Sullivan and Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd have known each other since brewing at Steelhead in Eugene in the ’90s. For the collab, a 8.5% ABV amber bodied ale was produced with a healthy dose of dates and hops, resulting in a bittersweet outcome. With release parties around the state at venues such as The Bier Stein and Sixteen Tons in Eugene and Bailey’s Taproom and Bottles in Portland, you can expect to find the beer on tap and for sale in 12-ounce cans throughout the West Coast.

The Bruery of Orange County, California and Dogfish Head of Delaware put together yet another unique concoction of flavors (surprise!) as a fundraiser for victims of the earthquake/tsunami in Japan. Dubbed “Faster, Bigger, Better, Bolder (Gradually, Quietly, Steadily)“, DFH’s website claims the brew to be “an homage to the contrasting lifestyle views of American excess set against the more humble and traditional ways of Japan.” Made with lots of juicy kumquats and The Bruery’s own seven spice schichimi togarashi blend along with sake yeast.The result is heaven in your mouth! We scored our bottle at Saraveza. Get it while you still can.

We’re sure that by the time you read this, there will be at least a handful of new collaboration beers that involve Stone Brewing released. Cheers!