16 Mile brews new beer for new year
The world didn't end in 2012 and for that, we're all rejoicing, but at 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown, beer-makers and members of the Rehoboth Inspired Chef Initiative recently brewed up another reason to celebrate: the Central America-inspired Post-Apocalyptic Porter.
The beer is the first in a series of four beers 16 Mile will brew in collaborations to raise money for local charities, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Delaware Food Bank.
When members of the chef initiative recently arrived at 16 Mile to begin brewing the porter, the air was perfumed with cocoa and spice, two important ingredients in Post-Apocalyptic Porter.
"The hardest part was coming up with the name," said chef Hari Cameron of a(MUSE). "Since chocolate, oranges and peppers are just kind of something you'd find in the Mayan world, we went with it."
Fresh orange juice and cayenne pepper will accent the rich flavors imparted by guajillo peppers, orange zest and grand guacyan extra-dark cocoa to add depth and a touch of heat to the brew, expected to be around 6.5 percent alcohol, 16 Mile representative Claus Hagelman said.
"These kind of peppers are really raisiny, so we finished the first batch and decided to add a little cayenne pepper on fermentation to give a little heat to the back of your throat and complement the guajillo pepper," Hagelman said.
With the success of 16 Mile charity brews for a good cause, the brewery decided to brew 30 barrels, said Blue Moon executive chef Lion Gardner.
"This has actually been really cool because the first time we did a much smaller batch," Gardner said of a charity beer brewed last fall. "This is basically double the size."
More beer will allow for increased distribution, Hagelman said, and more supply for special events, like the all-day Post-Apocalyptic Porter launch party and beer dinner Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Rose & Crown pub in downtown Lewes to benefit the Lewes Historical Society.
For more information about the beer dinner and 16 Mile tap takeover at the Rose & Crown, call 302-827-4475. For more information on 16 Mile Brewery go to 16milebrewery.com.
