The power of the year-round 12-pack has lessened as today’s looky-loo craft beer buyer keeps looking for what’s new. But that 12-pack still has a ton of cache if you give it some. Hi-Wire Brewing, for example, released its 2018 Collaboration Mixed 12-Pack with Against The Grain, Trophy Brewing Co., and Blackberry Farm Brewery this February, which is essentially a can’t miss item for its fans and all of those aforementioned looky-loos (including this looky-loo), but also has several of its core beers mixed in too, as a reminder of how solid those are as well.
Here’s a look (y-loo) at what’s inside this mixed 12 collaboration pack:
Double Dry-Hopped IPA – Trophy Brewing Co. (7% ABV)
Trophy Brewing makes some of the best IPAs in the country. So after very little deliberation, Hi-Wire decided to brew the hoppiest beer it has ever created at 3.5 lbs per barrel. Starting with Simcoe and Centennial in the whirlpool before mid-fermentation and dry-hop additions of El Dorado and Simcoe, this hazy gold monstrosity screams of green mango, huge citrus, and piney resin with a slight sweetness on the finish. This one is for the truest of hop fiends.
A Wee Bit More Hops Tropical Saison – Blackberry Farm Brewery (6.2% ABV)
In collaboration with Blackberry Farm Brewery, Hi-Wire decided to celebrate Blackberry Farm’s world class house Saison yeast strain by pairing it with a plethora of tropically aggressive American hops, including a mid fermentation hop addition for added depth. Azacca, El Dorado, and Mosaic shine with magnificent aromas of mango, papaya, juicy fruit, and white grape while a slight bitterness and dry finish preps the palette for another sip.
Dark Coffee Lager – Against The Grain (5.5% ABV)
Hi-Wire took special care to let the beautiful fruit notes from naturally processed Ethiopian coffee via Dynamite Roasting sing in this collaboration with its buddies from Against The Grain Brewery in Louisville, Kentucky. Aromatic notes of fresh ground coffee beans, hazelnut, cherry, and new leather meld perfectly with a soothing dark malt sweetness and hints of fresh baked bread with a clean, crisp finish.
Rounding out the 12-pack will be three of Hi-Wire’s flagship beers: Hi-Pitch Mosaic IPA, Lo-Pitch Juicy IPA, and Hi-Wire Gose. The Hi-Wire Brewing Collaboration 12-pack will be available the second week of February, and will hit Hi-Wire’s entire distribution footprint.
