SweetWater Brewing Co. collaborated with bands The Hip Abduction and Slightly Stoopid to create two limited release brews, both pouring at this year’s 420 Fest (April 21 – 23 in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park). Fans can get a sneak pre-taste in the brewery’s taproom. The Hip Abduction’s “Hipbiscus Tropical Ale” will be on tap during regular tour hours April 5 – 9; followed by Slightly Stoopid’s “Citra Hash Stoopid Brew” April 12 – 16. Tour guests will receive custom pint glasses (while supplies last). Learn more about SweetWater tours, including pricing and hours, here: http://sweetwaterbrew.com/tours
SweetWater head brewer Nick Nock met with members of both bands to discuss their favorite beer styles and flavors, brainstorm ingredients, and develop recipes. For The Hip Abduction, a St. Pete, FL, collective with a love for West African and early Jamaican reggae/dub music, Nock tapped into their breezy vibe for Hipbiscus Tropical Ale. The result is a light and crisp, super drinkable pale ale, made with 2 Row, Pilsner and a touch of wheat for the malt bill. The flavor and aroma come from Cascade and Amarillo hops, with a zest of hibiscus and passionfruit. The band gave final stamp of approval on Hipbiscus in mid-March while on a visit to the brewery, where they also played an acoustic set for SweetWater employees and a few invited guests.
Nick Nock solidified the style of Slightly Stoopid’s collaboration while backstage with band members, sipping on a few sample brews. Citra Hash Stoopid Brew is a Mexican Lager with a light blonde body. Bravo hops add bitterness and orange flavor, while a boatload of Citra Hash added to the whirlpool, then in two different dry hop additions, delivers a big citrus punch.
In addition to sipping on Hipbiscus Tropical Ale and Citra Hash Stoopid Brew at 420 Fest, event guests can enjoy live performances by The Hip Abduction and Slightly Stoopid, plus panel discussions about the beers in the SweetWater Experience Tent, an area devoted to tasting specialty casks and mingling with brewers and industry experts. The bands and the brews will be joined by 50+ live musical and comedy acts during the three-day festival. See the full schedule and purchase single-day and three-day passes at www.sweetwater420fest.com.
