Beer of the Week: Old Rock Whistling Punk, banana hefeweizen
Published 1:30 am Friday, August 11, 2017
Old Rock Whistling Punk
Dreadnought Brewing, Monroe
Style: Hefeweizen
Stats: 4.9 percent ABV, 8 IBU
Available: On tap at the brewery, at the Kegs &Corks Brewfest and at Duvall Days.
My thoughts: When Old Rock Brewery owner Ray Pitts lost his brewery to a flood a few years ago, Steve Huskey, owner and head brewer of Dreadnought Brewing, helped give him a home to brew.
The beers that have resulted from that collaboration are part of the Old Rock series and are regularly found on tap at Dreadnought and in watering holes in Duvall, where Old Rock Brewing was located.
The latest is this hefeweizen, made with mostly Bavarian ingredients, including Bavarian yeast courtesy Woodinville’s 20 Corners Brewing. The beer is one of a number of beers Dreadnought will be pouring at Saturday’s Kegs &Corks event in Monroe.
The beer went through a number of different variations until it was just right. Huskey said Pitts, who specializes in German-style beers, helped get the correct water profile and colder temperatures for the yeast to rest at to get the beer dialed in.
The result is a true Bavarian hefe. Creamy and smooth, the beer pours clearer than the typical American hefe and has a slight bitter finish. It’s perfect for the hot weather predicted this weekend.
Pitts only made one demand of Huskey: A portion of the money from the sales of Old Rock series beers go to charity. The sales of Whistling Punk benefit the Rotary Club of Duvall.
From the brewery: Cream, banana and sweet … what more do you want?
More new releases:
Shipwreck American Strong Ale, Diamond Knot: The Mukilteo brewery is releasing 22-ounce bottles of this big beer formerly known as the XXXIPA and brewed in honor of the sinking of the Diamond Knot steamship in 1947. Available at all DK locations.
Summers in Rangoon, In a Jar, Skookum Brewing: Summers is a juicy and dank double IPA hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Enigma, Amarillo, Vic Secret and Chinook. Jar is a wheat/rye IPA hopped with Azacca, Denali and El Dorado, giving it notes of pineapple, lime and stone fruit. Available on tap at the brewery.
Red Mason Rye, Watts Brewing: This beer is all about the rye. Malty with a dry finish, the Mount Hood hops give it a earthy, spicy quality. Available on tap Pete’s Liquor and Wine, Moonshine BBQ and Zeek’s Pizza.
Barrel-aged Fade Out Stout, Decibel Brewing: A rich, chocolatey stout that spent time in Woodinville Whiskey rye whiskey barrels. Available on tap and in 500-ml bottles at the brewery.
