Patagonia Provisions Launches Organic Beer - Long Root Ale Made With Kernza Perennial Grain

Courtesy of Danny Hedden

 Long Root Ale is the first commercially available beer to be made with Kernza via organic regenerative agricultural practices; now available at Whole Foods Market stores in California, Oregon and Washington.

SAUSALITO, California. (October 3, 2016) – Patagonia Provisions, in partnership with Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) in Portland, Oregon, today announced the launch of Long Root Ale, a Northwest-Style Pale Ale made with organic ingredients and Kernza perennial grain. Looking for solutions to repair the food systems that sustain us, Long Root Ale represents another step towards transforming agricultural practices and supporting sustainable farming.

Patagonia Provisions’ friends and partners at The Land Institute in Salina, Kansas have made a major breakthrough in organic regenerative agriculture with Kernza, the perennial grain used in Long Root Ale. Kernza grain is ideally suited for organic regenerative agriculture – its long roots and perennial growth allow it to thrive without pesticides, it uses less water than conventional wheat, helps to reduce erosion and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than annual grains. And it just so happens to make delicious beer.
 Patagonia Provisions believes the future of farming, and our planet, lies in organic regenerative agriculture – a practice that restores soil biodiversity, sequesters carbon and grows crops all without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Kenza Farmer - Courtesy of Jim Richardson

“Beer holds a critical role in society and history. It is the center of many tables, uniting us with its common language,” notes Birgit Cameron, sr. director of Patagonia Provisions. “With its wonderful tradition and history of bringing people together, Patagonia Provisions saw an opportunity to use such a widely influential product to tell the story of organic regenerative agriculture, via Kernza, to a wide swath of people with a product we can all enjoy and get behind. All it takes is a small tweak in the way we make our beer to effect big change – we are hoping this message reaches the big brewers of the world.”
A refreshing pale ale, Long Root Ale is made with organic two-row barley, organic yeast and a blend of organic Northwest hops, resulting in a beer with resinous, grapefruit hop aromas and flavor and a balanced maltiness. The addition of 15 percent Kernza adds a slight spiciness to the dry, crisp finish. Long Root Ale represents the first commercial use of Kernza, and a strong step toward changing the way we grow and produce food.

Courtesy of Amy Kumler

Patagonia Provisions chose Hopworks Urban Brewery to create Long Root Ale due to its strong commitment to organics and sustainable brewing practices. Hopworks, experts in organic beer, is a B Corporation and is on a mission to revolutionize the brewing industry for the better.

“Working with Patagonia Provisions on Long Root Ale is the highest honor,” notes Christian Ettinger, founder and brewmaster of Hopworks Urban Brewery. “Kernza adds great flavors to this delicious Pale Ale. It also offers attractive agricultural benefits like substantial water reduction. Kernza is really paving the way for future discussions with other commodity grains that we use to brew. As organic brewers we are really excited about the ‘grain to glass’ model and Long Root Ale is just that.”

Long Root Ale will be available in 16 oz cans in Whole Foods Market locations in California, Oregon and Washington beginning October 3, 2016. In addition, select Whole Foods Market bar-restaurants and both Hopworks locations will serve the beer on draft, as will the Miir Flagship Store in Seattle. For more information and to find Long Root Ale near you, visit longrootale.com.

“We love Patagonia Provisions’ efforts to find solutions for responsibly sourced food,” said Claude Ruau-Choate, specialty coordinator, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region. “And what better way to raise awareness about organic regenerative agriculture and Kernza grain than through a delicious pale ale. We’re thrilled to be the first retailer to carry this beer.”

About Patagonia Provisions
In 2012, Yvon Chouinard launched Patagonia Provisions to offer ethically and sustainably sourced delicious food products. Patagonia Provisions, based in Sausalito, California, is reexamining best practices in food sourcing, working with like-minded advocates and producers to find solutions to the important environmental issues facing the food industry. Wild Lummi Island Pink Salmon complements Patagonia Provisions’ growing line including Buffalo Jerky, fully cooked Wild Sockeye Salmon, Tsampa Soup, Green Lentil Soup, Black Bean Soup and three flavors of Fruit + Nut Bars.

About Hopworks Urban Brewery
Hopworks Urban Brewery strives to revolutionize and inspire the brewing industry with practices that drive quality, protect the environment and improve the community we live in. Utilizing organic malts and a combination of locallysourced, organic and Salmon Safe hops, the company’s 20-barrel brewery produces 13,500 barrels of beer and cider ayear for HUB’s brewpubs and for distribution throughout the Northwest. Hopworks is a family-owned and operated business, the first Certified B Corporation brewery in the Pacific Northwest, a gold-level bike friendly business, and is recognized as one of the Best Green Companies To Work For In Oregon.