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| Courtesy of Widmer Brothers Brewing Co |
What beer fans have been waiting for: Drifter Pale Ale available once
again on draft, in six and 12-packs
PORTLAND, Ore. – April
26, 2017 – Drifter is back! Widmer Brothers Brewing is bringing back an old
favorite, award-winning Drifter Pale Ale, which is now available in six and 12-packs
of 12oz bottles as well as on draft.
The story of Drifter’s origins dates back to the innovative
“W Series,” Widmer Brothers’ yearly experimental series of the mid-2000s. When the
Widmer Brothers brewing team first started brewing with Summit hops as part of
the series, they created a pale dubbed Brewmasters’ Pale that won a silver
medal in the American-Style Pale Ale Category of the 2006 Great American Beer
Festival (GABF). At the time, popular examples of the pale ale style were
brewed primarily with Cascade hops, but “Brewmasters’ Pale” showcased Summit
hops, a relatively new hop varietal at the time known for delicate undertones
of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit.
In 2009, the beer originally known as Brewmasters’ Pale, joined
the year-round lineup as Drifter Pale Ale – fast becoming a favorite and one of
Widmer Brothers’ most popular beers from Oregon to Florida.
“Like Widmer Brothers, Drifter has quite the tale of
experimentation and innovation,” said brewer Joe Casey, who helped develop the
original version of Drifter Pale Ale. “Rob and Kurt always push the boundaries
of beer, and often zigged when others zagged. That was also the case here with
the use of Summit hops and Drifter,” he added.
Despite its popularity, Widmer Brothers retired the beer in
2013 to pave the way for Alchemy Pale Ale, but fans made their voices heard in
the ensuing years about their love of Drifter, and now Widmer Brothers is
answering that demand by bring Drifter Pale Ale back as its new summer
seasonal.
“We really felt that Drifter
was unlike any other pale ale when it was first released,” said founder Rob
Widmer. “The beer perfectly balances Summit’s unique hop profile that beer
drinkers love without the lingering bitterness,” he added.
The latest version of Drifter will be instantly recognizable
to its fans, says current brewmaster Tom Bleigh.
“When we first talked about bringing this beer back, we wanted
to remain true to the original’s signature hop qualities,” said Tom Bleigh,
Widmer Brothers’ innovation brewmaster. “The result is a smooth, citrusy pale ale with the signature
Drifter hop profile using those distinctive Summit hops – something Drifter
fans will immediately recognize.”
To celebrate the return of the beloved beer, Widmer Brothers
will host Drifter Days May 1-4 at its north Portland pub. Fans
can expect festive Drifter-themed food pairings, Widmer Brothers swag giveaways
and throwback pricing—3$/pint. The special pricing, an ode to the beer’s
inception, will be available Monday through Wednesday during open hours at the
pub, and culminate Thursday from 4-6pm.
In Portland, Henry’s Tavern (4-6pm on May 1), Dave and
Busters (4-6pm on May 2), and Nob Hill Bar & Grill (4-6pm on May 3) will
have special pricing on Drifter Pale Ale and Widmer Brothers swag giveaways.
For more information on Widmer Brothers
Brewing, visit widmerbrothers.com, or keep up with the latest Widmer Brothers happenings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Drifter Pale Ale
Drifter
Pale Ale, a fan favorite since its first inception in 2007, started as an
experimental beer that grew to become one of Widmer Brothers’ most popular
beers. After a three years hiatus, Widmer Brothers brought back Drifter with
the same signature Summit hops, resulting in a citrusy, easy-drinking pale ale.
MALTS: 2-row
pale and caramel
HOPS: Summit,
Alchemy, Nelson Sauvin, Chinook
OG: 14 P
AE: 3.2 P
ABV: 5.6%
Color: 20 SRM
IBU: 50
Widmer Brothers Brewing helped create the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when founders Kurt and Rob Widmer, then in their 20s, began brewing unique interpretations of traditional German beer styles. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the original American-style Hefeweizen, which elevated the brewery to national acclaim. Since then, the brewery’s iconic Hefe has grown to become Oregon’s favorite craft beer. For more than three decades, Widmer Brothers has continued to push the boundaries of craft beer. Based in Portland, Oregon, the brewery currently brews a variety of beers including Hefe, Upheaval IPA, Steel Bridge Porter, Drop Top Amber, PDX Pils, and a full seasonal lineup. Additionally, the brewery continues to make a series of limited edition, small-batch beers available in Oregon and at the Widmer Brothers Pub in North Portland. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmerbrothers.com.
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