DAVIS, Calif. — Bike Party Davis and Sudwerk Brewing Co. join forces July 22 with an evening ride promoting bicycle fun and safety. And all that enthusiasm is bottled in Sudwerk’s newest beer, Bike Party Pils.
The June 22 ride is one of several coordinated events this summer, focusing on safe bicycling, cleaning up the Davis bike trails and raising money for local bike-centric groups. The collaboration led to the name for the limited-release pilsner, which arrives in six packs in California stores this week. “Inspired by Northern California’s avid bike culture and dedicated to our hometown of Davis, Bike Party Pils celebrates a healthy, active lifestyle and giving back to your local community,” the packaging reads.
Jennifer Donofrio, the city of Davis’ bike and pedestrian coordinator, organizes the volunteers and events for Bike Party Davis. It meets on the fourth Friday of each month, leaving at 8 p.m. from Ken’s Bike-Ski-Board, 650 G St.
“It’s a fun, casual ride to get more people on their bikes, and learn about pathways and tricks to riding their bike around that they didn’t know before,” Donofrio said. Participants play music, light up their bikes, and follow rules of the road. All ages, bikes and abilities are welcome. “It’s about having fun and bringing enjoyment to biking. It’s a great way to learn about getting around Davis by bike.”
On July 22, Bike Party Davis will stop at the Sudwerk Dock (2001 Second St.), at 9 p.m. After 30 to 40 minutes, Sudwerk will lead a ride to another local retailer in downtown Davis.
Other collaborations include a pathway cleanup along Putah Creek on Saturday, Aug. 13. Volunteers will meet in the Sudwerk parking lot at 10:30 a.m., and ride to the cleanup site. Sudwerk will open its Dock early, at 1 p.m., to welcome volunteers. It also will donate 25 percent of its profits from that evening to the Davis Bike Collective, a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides a do-it-yourself repair shop at Fourth and L streets.
“I’m excited to partner with Sudwerk and the Bike Collective, and I’m thrilled that there’s a beer called ‘Bike Party’ in Davis. I think that together, we are increasing ridership and making biking fun in the community.”
The limited-release Bike Party Pils is a lighter, dry-hopped variation of Sudwerk’s top-selling beer, Northern Pilsner, which just won a silver medal at the California State Fair. Bike Party Pils is lower in alcohol (4.5 vs. 5.3% ABV). The Mandarina Bavaria, Huell Melon and Citra hops are added at the end of the brewing process, picking up their fruity aroma but maintaining the lager’s crisp, smooth finish.
While most of the mass-market American beers are pilsners, they are underrepresented in the California craft beer market, Sudwerk co-owner Trent Yackzan said. “High quality, California-made craft pilsners are hard to find. As a brewery solely focused on brewing craft lagers, pilsner is our favorite style and we’re working to draw as much attention as we can back to this amazing style.”
Find Bike Party Pils at Nugget Markets, Davis Food Co-op, Whole Foods, Raley’s, and other select merchants around California. Fans will find it on tap – in limited release – at the Dock, and at select accounts, throughout the summer.
Building on more than 25 years of family legacy and brewing tradition, Sudwerk Brewing Co. specializes in artisanal brews, specifically West Coast craft lagers. Its taproom, The Dock, 2001 Second St., Davis, Calif., is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 2 to 8 p.m. on weekends. It offers a rotating menu of experimental and innovative beers, “honest pints” and growler fills, fresh White Labs brewers’ yeast, and good conversation. Learn more at http://sudwerkbrew.com.