As long as the brand uses a pun, it is truly a craft beer.
Taco Bell continues to take fast food into weird and wonderful dimensions. What galactic genius came up with the Firecracker Burrito? Have you heard about this? It’s a beef, cheese and rice burrito, wrapped in a red tortilla with red tortilla strips, and you can actually sprinkle cayenne popping crystals on top (an extra 20 cents) to make it sizzle in your mouth. Taco Bell only sells it at four locations in Orange County, Calif., which is horseshit. It’s all I want to eat now.
Taco Bell is the Picasso of fast food. More evidence: the Naked Egg Taco, the Bell Beefer, BLT Taco, Beefy Potato-Rito, Naked Chicken Chips, Quesalupa and (now!) a custom craft beer — thanks to the folks at Four Sons Brewing. Today, Taco Bell’s Newport Beach Cantina opens, and it will feature this exclusive Taco Bell beer — Beach Ball Amber lager — along with an open kitchen, local artist murals and a walk-up order window — all in the heart of the Newport Beach Peninsula (that’s California). Initial hours of operation will be 7 to 2 a.m. The CBB crew is jumping on a plane right now.
From the press release:
In celebration of Southern California’s first Cantina, Taco Bell and Huntington Beach local Four Son’s Brewing have partnered to unveil an exclusive beer made specifically to complement the Taco Bell menu, a brand first. Together, Four Sons’ brewmasters and Taco Bell’s culinary chefs have joined forces to create Beach Bell, a Mexican-style Amber Lager made with a unique flavor profile to enhance and compliment Taco Bell’s food and flavors. The light, crisp and refreshing beer has a smooth and robust taste with a clean finish that makes it the perfect beverage to pair with a Taco Bell meal. Beach Bell Amber Lager will only be available for a limited time at the Newport Beach Cantina.
Taco Bell also noted that it wants to start serving more alcohol at venues.
This collaboration comes as Taco Bell continues to push into new urban locations across the country. Recently, Taco Bell announced continued expansion with a planned 300 drive-thru free locations opening over the next five years — many of which will serve alcohol. Taco Bell Cantinas feature a smaller footprint leveraging urban or in-line development, localized design and artwork as well as alcohol offerings, including beer.
Taco Bell’s Newport Beach location looks like fine dining.
Who is Four Sons Brewing? From the website (because I’m lazy):
Founded in 2014, Four Sons Brewing truly is a family-run business. Stop by the taproom in Huntington Beach and you will most likely find Duke (aka dad) and Daune (aka mom) and the “four sons” – Deven, Derek, Drew, and Dustin – doing everything from checking equipment and sifting grain, to bottling, packaging, and filling glasses.
Four Sons Brewing strives to produce excellent craft beer with a wide range of variety that appeals to the novice beer drinker and astonishes the beer cicerone. With a strong focus on quality and authenticity, every beer contains only natural ingredients to ensure a clean, smooth and memorable taste. Try the beer. Visit the brewery. Tour our newly expanded production facility. Experience first hand the personal attention and family passion that is Four Sons.
