By Kathy Chouteau
Brace yourselves, beer fans. Like a golden trumpet hearkening the arrival of SF Beer Week (SFBW20), which runs Feb. 7 through Feb. 16, Richmond-based East Brother Beer Company is rolling out two limited, special release brews and has announced its Third Anniversary Party will take place on Feb. 16.
Among East Brother’s newest beers is a California Common, but perhaps it should be called a Bay Area Common. Making its big debut at SFBW20’s Opening Gala Friday, Feb. 7, on Pier 35 in San Francisco, the brew is a partnership with Admiral Maltings, which sources only California grown barley, much of it very close to the Bay Area, and Gigayeast, a San Jose-based yeast supplier.
“For SFBW 2020, we set out to create a 100 percent Bay Area craft beer that reflects local agricultural businesses,” said East Brother’s Rob Lightner, who described the new California Common as “beautiful liquid amber that’s light and crisp like a lager, but with the malt and hop profile of an ale—think modern floral with a spice finish.”
Last month, East Brother launched its English Strong as part of its seasonal Freighter Series, which Lightner calls “a decidedly British beer boasting a rich malt flavor with notes of caramel and dried fruit.” English Strong will be poured at various SFBW20 events, as well as in the East Brother taproom and in select other local establishments while supplies last.
Both the California Common and English Strong will be available at East Brother’s Third Anniversary Party, Sunday, Feb. 16 from noon until 8 p.m. The party will feature live music by Raag & Norton, Little Jonny Lawton, Pete Madsen and Coyote Slim; beer-infused food by La Santa Torta food truck; and a $1 off every beer for any patrons wearing East Brother t-shirts.
The unveiling of two new brews isn’t the only good news to come out of East Brother lately. Beer Connoisseur Magazine recently did a wrap-up of the year’s best brews and their favorite 200. East Brother was honored to be picked by the magazine for four top 100 mentions for its: Festbier (#6); Red IPA (#49, and also #1 in the Top 3 Specialty IPAs); Tripel (#51 and also #4 in the Top 5 Strong Belgian Beers); and Red Lager (#98).
