Michigan’s New Holland Brewing Company is celebrating their 15th anniversay by hosting their 2nd annual Mad Hatter Bar Crawl this Saturday, June 30th in the Oregon Arts District. Each of the five scheduled bar visits will tap a different style of IPA. Since the first year of New Holland Brewing Company’s existence, “Mad Hatter” India Pale Ale has been a flagship for the brewery. It is the top-selling beer and Gold Medal winner in the 2004 Great American Beer Festival for Strong Pale Ales.
Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite hat to get in the spirit of things! The tour kicks off at 2pm at Thai9, where the White Hatter which brings spice, hops, and fermentation notes together flavorfully and goes great with seafood, fennel, and mushrooms will be the first beer tapped on the tour.
At 3pm the party moves down to Blind Bob’s where the dark malted Black Hatter will be tapped. One reviewer describes the aroma of pine, citrus rind and roasted malt, arising from the glass. Pine and citrus rind dominate the opening of this brew which transitions to a mild dark chocolate roastiness, and then finishes dry with citrus-like bitterness and a touch of roasted malt.
The 4 o’clock hour will bring on an IPA that’s been aged in bourbon barrels- Oak Aged Hatter at Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery. Round, smooth wood character brings a new dimension to dry-hopped, aromatic hoppiness.
As 5pm rolls around it will be time to tap Rye Hatter at Trolley Stop. This beer showcases it’s grain-bill, made up of rye and barley malt. The rye adds a slight spiciness to the caramel-malt base, while also creating a creamy texture. Dry-hopping contributes a fresh citrus finish
The final stop on the tour will present the Belgian-styled Farmhouse Hatter at South Park Tavern! Farmhouse Ales were originally brewed as “Provision Beers” by farmers in Belgium and France, brewed in the winter months to be consumed during hot summer work days. They were traditionally brewed light and refreshing to aid in both hydration and energy. Wheat and Pilsner malts were used to lighten up the body of this Mad Hatter version. It was also fermented hot with a strain of Belgian Saison yeast to develop flavors of green apple, pepper and fresh cut hay.
No reservations or pre-registration is necessary to participate in the Mad Hatter Crawl. Just grab some friends, arrange a designated driver and meet up at Thai9 to kick things off. Or feel free to just show up at one of the other stops!
Leave a Reply