Introducing GRAFF(T): A Rare Collaboration Between New Belgium Brewing, Two Beers Brewing and Seattle Cider Company
Unique “graff” beer-cider hybrid slated for release Mid January; available in 22-ounce bottles and on tap throughout Seattle
SEATTLE – Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Cider Company and New Belgium Brewing have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind graff, a unique style combining unexpected hops and malt with small batch cider from Washington state. Coined GRAFF(T) – a nod to the style of beer as well as the process of bonding a shoot from one plant to another – this 7.3 percent ABV beer was brewed at Two Beers Brewing in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood using New Belgium Brewing hop varieties and unfermented apple juice from Seattle Cider Company. A truly unique concoction, Seattle-area beer and cider lovers can find GRAFF(T) on tap and in 22-ounce bottles beginning January 12, as well as at a host of launch events taking place around town.
“A graff is an exciting new style we’ve been keeping our eye on and have been dying to create,” said Lindsay Guerdrum, brewer for New Belgium Brewing. “With the recent launch of Seattle Cider Company and their exceptional approach to craft cider, plus their connection with Two Beers Brewing, we saw the opportunity for a unique partnership and more importantly, a beer unlike any other.”
GRAFF(T) is an India Pale Lager (IPL) brewed with 100 percent Pilsner malt, Mosaic hops from Yakima Valley, Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand and a 10 percent by volume addition of unfermented apple juice (also known as “must”) from Seattle Cider Company. After fermentation, the brew is then dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops. With 53 IBUs and 7.3 percent ABV, the result is a dry, crisp, effervescent beer-cider hybrid with notes of grapefruit and citrus, accompanied by a brite and dry palate.
“It’s a lot of fun to see these three companies come together to offer something completely new to the Seattle market,” added Joel VandenBrink, founder of Two Beers Brewing and Seattle Cider Company. “We’ve looked up to New Belgium Brewing since we opened our doors and are honored to be working with them. Plus, it was a ton of fun to brew this beer together!”
