The pack will be split among six different regions of the country, with each region producing one of the beers in a mega collaboration. For us in the Southeast, the breweries featured are:
- Funky Buddha Brewery – Oakland Park, FL
- Wicked Weed Brewing – Asheville, NC
- Austin Beerworks – Austin, TX
- Bayou Teche Brewing – Arnaudville, LA
- Creature Comforts Brewing Co. – Athens, GA
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Mills River, NC
Now we know what it will be: Sweet Sunny South. A "Southern table beer."
According to the statement from the brewery: "The south holds strong to its traditional flavors — tea, honey-sweet peaches, and corn grits — so we looked at those culinary cues for this Southern-inspired table beer. With a golden grainy malt body and complex tangy finish from the fruit, tea and herbs, Sweet Sunny South is perfect for sultry summer sipping."
The beer will be appropriately interesting. It clocks in at 4.9 percent ABV with 23 IBUs. Saison yeast takes the helm over Pilsner, Acidulated, and Wheat malts, Magnum bittering hops, and Hallertau Blanc and Huell Melon finishing hops. In addition, a range of adjuncts have been used as well: corn grits, black tea, honeysuckle, peach, papaya, guava, and prickly pear.
Quite the feast of flavors. One can imagine the 12-pack will be highly sought after.
Starting in June, Sierra Nevada will kick off a six-city beer festival tour beginning in Tampa. The six beers featured in this collaboration effort will be on tap, as well as beers from many more breweries.
Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers. He is a Certified Beer Server and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.