Pabst relaunches 136-year-old Ballantine IPA
Published 12:52 pm Thursday, August 14, 2014
Well, with all those hops India Pale Ales are supposed to last longer, right?
One hundred and thirty six years may be a bit of a stretch, however. Pabst Brewing is bringing back Ballantine India Pale Ale that was first brewed in 1878 and is dubbed America’s Original IPA.
Here’s a look at a story that moved on the wire on Thursday:
“Pabst Brewing Company, the largest American-owned brewery with over 30 beers in its portfolio, announced the re-launch of Ballantine India Pale Ale, one of the oldest and most iconic craft beers in the country. The beer will be available beginning in September in major Northeast markets.
“First brewed in 1878 by P. Ballantine &Sons Brewing Company in Newark, NJ, Ballantine India Pale Ale was the only American-made beer that successfully continued the tradition of the 19th century IPAs once Prohibition ended. This was due in large part to the brewery’s steadfast commitment to “Purity, Body, and Flavor” — as exemplified by the three interlocking Borromean rings found on every bottle.
“In order to replicate the original recipe as closely as possible, Pabst Master Brewer Gregory Deuhs reverse-engineered the beer, ensuring the robust heritage and quality of the 136-year-old brew was properly reflected in the 21st century version.
“’I began this project with a simple question: How would Peter Ballantine make his beer today?’” said Master Brewer Deuhs, adding, “’There wasn’t a ‘secret formula’ in anyone’s basement we could copy, so I conducted extensive research looking for any and all mentions of Ballantine India Pale Ale, from the ale’s processing parameters, aroma and color, alcohol and bitterness specifications. Many brewers and craft beer drinkers would be impressed that the Ballantine India Pale Ale of the 1950s and ‘60s would rival any craft IPA brewed today.’”
“Ballantine IPA will be sold in bottled six-packs and limited-edition 750 ml bottles in major markets across the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey, Boston, Portland, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh.”
