Press release… As COVID-19 continues to impact the local economy and prohibit “agritainment” and Oktoberfest celebrations that typically highlight the fall harvest season, the Pennsylvania brewing community has come together with a solution. A virtual event and state wide beer collaboration inspired by local grain among Pennsylvania brewers.
Deer Creek Malthouse’s fall harvest festival “Malt-A-Palooza”, now in its sixth year, was founded to showcase PA brewers and beer made with grain and malt grown right here in the Commonwealth. Each fall, Deer Creek opens its doors to the public for a day of family fun, highlighted by beer and food tasting, malthouse tours, hay wagon rides, games, and live music in a beautiful farm setting with many popular PA breweries committed to local grain.
Since large in person gatherings are not possible at this time, the maltsters at Deer Creek have teamed with Chatham University and the Grains & Revolution Conference to create a virtual event that still honors PA beer and the brewers using local grain. For 2020, brewers, farmers, maltsters, and consumers alike are invited to attend a virtual happy hour remotely instead of the normal field day festivities on November 5th from 6:00- 7:00 pm. Moderated by Deer Creek founder/maltster, Mark Brault, beer tasting and a panel discussion with local heroes making social and agricultural impacts on craft beer will highlight the virtual event. The conversation will attempt to decolonize the practice of brewing by using grain as a vehicle for revolution in order to create a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive food system.
“The purpose of the conference is about centering and amplifying the BIPOC chefs, farmers, bakers, brewers, and millers who showcase the diversity of grains. The day will showcase three panels (community grain projects, women of color working in grain, and seed saving & food sovereignty) a happy hour event, and multiple baking demonstrations. We’re excited to partner with Deer Creek Malthouse for the happy hour event that showcases Pennsylvania brewers who are using craft beer to make agricultural and social impacts within their community.” Cassandra Malis, Event Program Manager
“Malt-A-Palooza is inspired by our agricultural heritage in Pennsylvania and the farmers who grow grain. Although we are disappointed we cannot get together in person and allow the amazing PA brewers using local grain & malt to showcase their products, we are thrilled about this collaboration brew. It has been incredible to see so many brewers band together in collaboration to support PA agriculture, and we look forward to sharing a virtual pint on November 5th in celebration of our collective efforts.” Mark Brault owner of Deer Creek.
With the help of Breweries In PA, a large number of craft breweries across Pennsylvania have come together to develop an all Pennsylvania beer collaboration which celebrates local Pennsylvania agriculture: A hazy pale ale made with 100% PA grown and malted grain. This recipe showcases organic spelt from Dauphin County & 2-row barley from Chester County. The beer is scheduled to release in conjunction with the virtual happy hour taking place November 5th, 2020.
“PA Pride”, a beer named after the love and pride we all share for the keystone state, will debut during the November 5th virtual happy hour. The beer will packaged and released in 16-ounce cans by the many Pennsylvania breweries who have joined together for the beer collaboration. Cans of PA Pride feature Pennsylvania imagery such as the state outline, the iconic keystone and even the barn that can be found at Deer Creek.
“I’m excited to work on this statewide project with Deer Creek Malthouse. There are a lot of breweries struggling in this current environment and this is one way we can work together and show our support while highlighting our great brewing industry” Fred Maier, Founder Susquehanna brewing who will host the beer collaboration brew day.
Some of the breweries confirmed for the project are: Broken Goblet Brewing, Clarion River Brewing, Newtown Brewing, Noble Stein, Shy Bear, Stone Bridge, Beaver Brewing and many, many more. Breweries who are interested in joining the collaboration can email Breweries In PA at info@breweriesinpa.com
“PA Pride” is a hazy pale ale produced with Keystone Pale barley malt and organic pale spelt malt. A light, hazy, sessionable pale ale hopped with Simcoe, Citra, and Cascade hops. Guests will enjoy tasting notes of toasty crisps, petit cakes, hard tangerine candies, lemon verbena tea, and orange creamsicle pops.
About Breweries In PA
Breweries in PA is a digital promotion company that connects beer drinkers to the PA Craft Breweries they love. Visit their website at BreweriesInPa.com for a robust overview of Pennsylvania craft beer maps, lists, events news and so much more!
About Deer Creek Malthouse
Deer Creek Malthouse (Chester County / Glen Mills, PA) produces high quality, flavorful malt ingredients made from local grain. Founded in 2012, Deer Creek is the first commercial malting operation in Pennsylvania since prohibition. The Company is dedicated to improving the regional grain supply chain for all stakeholders and leads many annual value chain building initiatives, including the Philadelphia Grain & Malt Symposium. Deer Creek also produces a variety of consumer food and beverages using their grain and malt ingredients.
