Oh Happy Day #6 – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

It has been nearly 3 months since our last Oh Happy Day post but I am happy to say the free beerless streak has come to an end!  Our friends at Maxwell PR have brought us Widmer Brothers newest brew, Drifter Pale Ale.  The package, as usual, was creative with its three 12 oz bottles of the brew, some red and white rope, and 3 large bobbers that match the picture of the one on the front of the label.  Nice touch. 🙂  I am excited to try this one on for size.  See below for official press release and stay tuned for official tasting!

**UPDATE** OFFICIAL TASTING POSTED HERE – Widmer Brothers Drifter Pale Ale

The beer is currently on tap at the Gasthaus Pub and is described as:

“Unique and abundent hop aroma and flavor. Mild, malty caramel sweetness to balance the hops. Smooth and inviting.” 

Previous Oh Happy Day posts:

• Oh Happy Day #1 – Pipeline Porter
• Oh Happy Day #2 – Fish Tale Organic Ales
• Oh Happy Day #3 – Bell’s Brewery
• Oh Happy Day #4 – Widmer Brothers Brrr
• Oh Happy Day #5 – Redhook Double Black Stout

Official Press Release:

SUMMIT HOPS BRING REFRESHING CITRUS TWIST TO NEW PALE ALE FROM WIDMER BROTHERS BREWING

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – December 29, 2008 – Kurt and Rob Widmer, innovators of American-style Hefeweizen, may be laid back guys but they are serious about brewing great beer.  Their latest creation, Drifter Pale Ale, is no exception. Brewed with Summit hops, a new variety known for its intense and abundant citrus aroma and flavors, Drifter’s taste is unique to the category. True to the pale ale style, Drifter’s light bittering hops give the brew a crisp, clean and refreshing finish ideal for those longing for lazy days adrift on the lake. 

 

“We crafted Drifter to make waves in the category and provide beer lovers with a new pale ale experience,” said Kurt Widmer, co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing. “Most pale ales are brewed with Cascade hops. Ours is truly an original, made with Summit hops known for their delicate flavor and undertones of tangerine, mandarin orange and grapefruit.”

 

Drifter is a laid back, smooth and inviting pale ale; its subtle caramel malt sweetness balances the tangy hops and leaves drinkers feeling refreshed and satisfied.  Drifter was a Silver Medal winner in the Pale Ale category at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival (GABF); the beer sails in at an ABV of 5.7% and 32 IBUs.

 

Drifter will be available on tap in 20 select states* beginning January 5^th, with six-packs on shelves in early February.  The beer will launch nationwide in mid-April and will be offered year-round.  A Drifter six-pack retails for approximately $8.99.

 

About Widmer Brothers Brewing

What started as a dream for two ordinary brothers who just loved beer has now become a reality for two ordinary brothers who still just love beer. Kurt and Rob Widmer helped lead the Pacific Northwest craft beer movement in 1984 when, in their twenties, they dreamed of brewing American interpretations of authentic European style beers. In 1986, Widmer Brothers Brewing introduced the first American-style Hefeweizen; today, the unfiltered cloudy beer is the company’s signature brew and one of the best selling wheat beers in the country. Based in Portland, Ore., the brewery currently produces a variety of beers including Drop Top Amber Ale and Broken Halo IPA. For more information about Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit www.widmer.com.

 

*Introductory states include: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, LA, MN, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, SD, TX, WA, WI and WY.