Two Brothers Rebranding and First Year-Round IPA

 

Two Brothers Brewing Company unveils two exciting pieces of news – a re-branding of their brewery's logo and label architecture that is featured on their newest artisan beer release, Wobble IPA.
 
Wobble will join the portfolio as Two Brother's first year-round IPA. Golden in color with a subtle malt character, the addition of Citra, Chinook, Cascade and Centennial hops add a big complex citrus flavor with piney hop notes throughout the beer.

“We are always pushing the envelope to deliver flavor-forward beers and hope to continue to innovate and introduce bold brews. After nearly 18 years in the industry, we are excited to introduce a beer that wobbles on the edge of really hoppy,” said Jason Ebel.  

Wobble will be available in the marketplace on September 29. To celebrate the beer’s release, Two Brothers Brewing Company will be hosting a month-long celebration at the Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville beginning October 1 as well as a number of other launch events. (Details below)

In addition to the new beer release, Two Brothers also unveils a new look for their brand and label design, which has continued to evolve over the past 18 years. The new logo keeps the swirl icon from the previous logo, but strips out the gradients of color in a flatter, more modern interpretation. The color palette has shifted slightly more natural, reflecting the focus on quality ingredients and artisanal recipes that Two Brothers prides themselves on. The typography which previously had a more playful/quirky approach, feels more sophisticated while still revealing elements of unexpectedness in the nuances of the letters. 

The evolution of the Two Brothers brand.

The new label design, which will roll out to the other year-round offerings over time, has abandoned the hand-drawn, illustrative style we've grown to know from Two Brothers. The modern, banded architecture focuses on the specific ingredients, characteristics and food pairings of each beer, once again emphasizing Two Brothers' passion for the marriage of food and beer created from quality ingredients. The swirl icon is a design element we've been seeing on their recent can designs, such as Sidekick and Outlaw.

Oktoberfest Beer Pairings With Wicker Park's The Boundary

We were recently invited to The Boundary in Wicker Park to check out their Oktoberfest-themed food and beer specials. Available at Bottleneck Management restaurants* September 20th – October 5th, the recipes and curation are a creative collaboration between the Executive Management team and skilled chefs. ​

"The process around seasonal development is a fun one," says ​Beverage Director and VP of Operations Ken Henricks​."Not only do we have great beer being made here in Chicago, but we also get the best of both coasts. This offers the marketplace an incredible volume of 'unique to market' and 'seasonal' selections from breweries across the country."

With Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers being hugely popular Henricks and team "take advantage of the traditional seasonal model to pair food items that go well with the flavor profiles of the beers." Once menus are developed the front of house staff works with servers weekly on beer style and food pairing education.

We were excited to take part and make recommendations. For each of the seasonal food dishes we chose a beer pairing from their extensive list of offerings that we felt complimented the flavors of each dish.

Apple Onion Potato Pancakes: 

Fuji apple and Vidalia onions, cinnamon spiced crème fraiche.

paired with

Anderson Valley Fall Hornin' Pumpkin Ale:  

English-style ale, malt and spice aroma. This beer finishes dry with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg throughout. Balances well with the sweetness of the potato pancakes.
  -----------------------------------------------

Beer Mustard Braised Bratwurst: 

Housemade bratwurst, caramelized onions, house-made sauerkraut, 

Dusseldorf mustard, warm German potato salad, brioche bun.

paired with

Erdinger Oktoberfest Weissbier:

A traditional German wheat beer, slightly hazy with notes of citrus fruit, bananas, clove, grainy malt, toasted bread. This beer finishes malty, and slightly sweet, which works well with richer foods like meat, potatoes and kraut.
 -----------------------------------------------

Pork Schnitzel Sandwich: 

Breaded pork loin, housemade sauerkraut, Dusseldorf mustard, bib lettuce, beefsteak tomato, olive oil parsley fries, Pumpernickel pretzel kaiser roll.

 paired with

Crispin Original Hard Cider: 

 Apples are a natural compliment to anything pork-related. For a beer alternative we chose this crisp, hard apple cider. It is smooth and light with champagne-like carbonation and a moderately sweet finish. No spice characteristics, just apples, apples, apples.

alternate pairing

Great Lakes Oktoberfest: 

A deliciously malty, amber-colored beer with notes of caramel, toffee, toasted bread, biscuit. This beer has little to no hop bitterness, with complex malt characteristics making it a very strong American-style Oktoberfest offering. 

Photos courtesy of www.bottleneckmgmt.com

* Bottleneck locations featuring the Oktoberfest food specials (beer availability varies per location) are The Boundary, Sweetwater Tavern & Grille, Howells & Hood, Old Town Pour House, South Branch Tavern & Grille, The Crown at Tribune Tower. For more information visit Bottleneck Management.

Food and beer provided courtesy of Wagstaff Worldwide. Pairing recommendations and opinions are our own.

October Beer Events We're Excited About

Women Working in Mixed Media: She's Crafty
October 22nd, 6pm
Chop Shop, 2033 W North Ave, Chicago IL
tickets $30, 2/$50

WWIMM is back in action with a new networking event in honor of Oktoberfest devoted to women working in the craft beer industry. Come meet the top women working in the field with our interactive panel, while tasting some of our favorite craft brews.
Panelist include:
Claudia Jendron - Brewer, Temperance Beer Company
Kate Bernot - Nightlife Reporter, RedEye
Kim Leshinski - Design Consultant and Event Curator, Hail To The Ale
Monica Mooney - Field Sales Representative, Bell's Brewery, Inc. (Official)




The Hirter Überbrew Homebrew Contest
Submissions due October 3rd
Judging and Awards Ceremony, October 11th, 7pm
Dank Haus, 4740 N Western Ave, Chicago IL

Only a few days remain to enter your best German-style homebrew into this unique competition hosted by Austrian Euro Craft brewery, Hirter Bier in collaboration with Square Kegs Homebrew Club and Louis Glunz Beer.  

Register your homebrew here!

Come by the DANK Haus following the Uberbrew Homebrew Competition judging for the official awards ceremony, with special guests Klaus Möller and Nikolaus Riegler – 5th and 6th generation Owners of Brauerei Hirt, makers of Hirter Bier.
 
Winners of each category will be announced as well as the grand prize winner, who will receive a $1500 scholarship to Siebel Institute. Beer and food will be available to purchase. Live music. No cover. More info here.




C.H.A.O.S. Brew Club Harvest Fest
October 18th, 6pm
2417 W Hubbard St, Chicago IL 
$30 Trial Membership

Join the C.H.A.O.S. Home Brew Club for their annual Harvest Fest, boasting over 30 beers on tap, a Thanksgiving-style buffet, raffle prizes. Oh, and a 30-day trial membership to check out their unique, brew-on-premise facility. More info.




DryHop Brewer's Evening of Pumpkin Beers
October 30th, 6pm
3155 N Broadway Ave, Chicago IL

For the second year DryHop will tap their delicious pumpkin stout "Starry Night In A Sleepy Hollow" in celebration of Halloween. They'll be sharing the taps with an extensive lineup of craft brewed pumpkin ales, including local offerings. Full list to come. 5oz pumpkin flights and food specials will be available.

The Best of Belgian Fest 2014

Goose Island's Belgian Fest is always a happy and hearty way to ring in the fall season. Coinciding with Riot Fest, Great Lakes Brew Fest, and many other events that weekend made this perhaps one of the most under-attended Goose Island events we've experienced. But with copious amounts of Belgian-style beer flowing, a manageable crowd, and zero lines, we certainly weren't complaining. 

The Goose Island Clybourn brewers were indeed the shining star as expected, showcasing experimental, small batch recipes aged in various barrels and bursting with complex flavors. With quite a few of the expected players absent (Half Acre, Pipeworks, Solemn Oath, Three Floyds, Une Annee) left opportunity to spend time with newcomers such as 4 Hands, Aquanaut, Middle Brow, Rude Hippo, Scorched Earth, Bucket List and Moody Tongue.

The common theme of the menu – experimentation. Each brewery had their own spin on the traditional concept of Belgian recipes, pushing the boundaries of beer styles. Collaboration with local coffee roasters is as prevalent as ever, with local, farm-fresh fruit additions in a close second place. A number of breweries including 4 Hands and Transient Artisan Ales showcased beers on the wild side, marrying the Belgian spice characteristics with the tropical fruit and citrus esters from Brett and Lacto fermentation.

Below is a wrap-up of our stand out beers for the day.

Vainglorious, Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub
Full-bodied Belgian stout, split batched and aged in red wine and bourbon barrels respectively. Blended back together with Intelligentsia coffee and black raspberries from Mick Klug Farms. Jammy fruit throughout, sweetness balanced with the roast of the coffee.
(10%)

Robyn Dark Matter Coffee Remix, Middle Brow Beer Co.
Blonde, abbey-inspired farmhouse ale blended with Dark Matter coffee, aged in Goose Island Lolita barrels. Coffee flavor was earthy and well balanced with the ale body. Subtle spice and fruit notes throughout. (6.9%)

Super Flare, 4 Hands/Wicked Weed
100% Brettanomyces fermented IPA with tangerine zest, guava and mango. Dry-hopped with Galaxy and Mosaic. Tropical fruit forward, harmonious, zesty, minimal Brett funkiness. (7%)

Jaggery Tripel, Ten Ninety Brewing 
For the traditionalist, looking to be impressed – a Belgian-style Tripel brewed with jaggery sugar. Complex notes from beginning to end. Residual sweetness lingers with flavors of caramelized sugar, molasses, spice and vanilla. This would be an amazing pairing for rich cheeses or dessert. (11%)

Stella, Aquanaut Brewing
Our first experience with this brewery was a very pleasant one. Full bodied, aromatic Belgian Tripel with notes of creme brulé, clove, cinnamon, floral hops. Smooth caramel, vanilla, malty sweet finish with just a bit of heat that makes it a smooth sipper. (10.8%)

Two Weeks Less, Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub
A cask conditioned wild ale aged 4 months in oak barrels. Citrus fruit aroma, juicy, tart wild peach flavor with a lingering toasted wheat finish. Sweet upfront with a light, tart finish. (5.6%)

(L) The beautiful ruby-colored Vainglorious. (R) Enjoying American-style Belgian beer & football in the Karl Strauss room.

Harvest Ales Deconstructed

What are hops?

Hops are the seed cones of the plant species Humulus lupulus. They grow vertically on hop “bines” that can span anywhere from 10-20 ft high, and thrive in climates similar to wine grapes that have at least 120 frost-free days. Hops have lupulin glands that contain oils essential to brewing that contribute bittering and aroma to beer. 

How are hops harvested?

When hops reach their maturity (usually mid August) the harvest season begins. Hop farmers work around the clock to cut down the bines and send them through machines that separate the cones from the vines and leaves. Hops are extremely delicate and start decaying very quickly, which is why most are immediately dried to preserve the flavors and aromas.

What are fresh hop beers?

Fresh hop, wet hop, or harvest beers refer to a seasonal style of beer in which hops, within 24-48 hours of being picked, are quickly transported and used to brew a beer that highlights the fresh “green” aroma and local origin.

When did harvest ales originate?

Sierra Nevada was the first brewery to take advantage of the fresh-hop process in creating their Harvest Ale in 1996 (now called Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale) and has made it every year since. The close proximity to hop farms in Oregon and Washington was a huge benefit to breweries in the Pacific Northwest, who quickly jumped on the seasonal trend.

With the growing number of hop farms in Michigan and Wisconsin, Midwest breweries are now able to more easily create harvest ales. Many pay special visits to their local hop farm leading up to harvest season to walk the fields and choose their own hops. Harvest Ales have become as much of a fall tradition in American craft beer as the Oktoberfest style is in Europe.

How are fresh hops used in beer?

Fresh hops are typically used in beers such as IPAs and Pale Ales. Since the moisture level is much higher than in the dried pellet versions, they are less bitter and best utilized as an aroma addition, towards the end of the boil. Some brewers use fresh hops to “wet hop” a beer during fermentation, similar to dry hopping with pellet hops.

The ratio of fresh to dried is approximately 6:1 and depends on the Alpha Acid of each hop variety. There are tools available online and in programs such as BeerSmith to help with the conversion. 

What are some examples of harvest ales I should try? 

Harvest ales typically hit shelves mid-September through early October and are best consumed fresh!

Locally brewed in the Midwest

Three Floyds - Broo Doo, IPA

Half Acre - Sticky Fat, American Dark Ale

Two Brothers - Heavy Handed, IPA

Two Brothers - Heavier Handed, DIPA

Founders - Harvest Ale, IPA

Greenbush - Demeter, American Pale Ale

Shorts Brewing - Kind Ale, American Pale Ale
New Holland - Hopivore, Pale Ale

Upland Brewing - Harvest Ale, American Pale Ale

Three Sheeps - Nimble Lips, Noble Tongue Vol. 4
Lake Effect/Fountainhead Collab - 27 Blocks, IPA

National distribution

Great Divide - Fresh Hop, Pale Ale

Left Hand Brewing - Warrior, IPA

Port Brewing - High Tide Fresh Hop, IPA

Deschutes Hop Trip, Pale Ale

Deschutes Chasin Freshies, American IPA

New Belgium - Fresh Hop, IPA
Sixpoint - Sensi Harvest, Pale Ale – check out this great harvest video they made.

Sierra Nevada celebrates the seasonal release of their 5 beer “Harvest Series”, showcasing a range of hop techniques and origins, with a “Single, Fresh, Wet and Wild Harvest Fest” at their estate hop fields in October.

Where can I read more about hops?

For the Love of Hops, Stan Hieronymus

Tasting Beer, Randy Mosher

The Complete Beer Course, Joshua M. Bernstein

Hop Variety Handbook, Dan Woodske

For information on growing your own hops, check out this resource from Midwest Supplies.

6 Design Observations from the Craft Beer Aisle

We were recently approached by the folks at Top Hat IMC, a Marketing and PR firm in Philadelphia, to write a guest blog post on craft beer label design. We happily obliged and welcomed the opportunity to explore, from a Nationwide perspective, the current design trends and best practices taking place in the craft beer industry.

For the full story click here.