Miami, FL – When Concrete Beach Brewery opened up its annual What Brews You competition for creative beer flavors, Erik Durr of Virginia Gardens had a hunch his idea of combining tropical fruits with a saison, one of his favorite beer styles, would be tasty, and he was right. The idea caught the attention of the brewing team and his Guava Lychee Saison was chosen as this year’s winner. It will be available for the first time at the Social Hall and select bars across Miami starting in mid-November.
“Erik’s submission really stood out to us because it sounded fun yet approachable, and really tapped into South Florida and tropical ingredients,” said Marco Reyna, head brewer for Concrete Beach. “The French saison yeast creates huge amounts of fruity esters and spicy, pepper-like flavors, which is balanced by a big tropical fruit nose created by the copious amounts of guava and lychee added towards the end of fermentation.”
Beating out more than 280 other submissions, Erik was able to bring his idea to life at the Wynwood-based brewery. After an unexpected delay to Hurricane Matthew, he joined Marco Reyna to create his Florida-inspired beer.
Fans will be able to get their first taste of Erik’s creation at the What Brews You? Release Party on November 10th at the Social Hall, while also taking part in a live Q&A with both Marco and Erik. After premiering at the Social Hall, the Guava Lychee Saison will be available in limited supply at select bars across South Florida.
The What Brews You? contest is an annual contest sponsored by Concrete Beach Brewery that encourages Miami residents to come up with unique ideas for beers that embody the spirit and flavors of Miami, and to show that beer can be brewed with practically anything, from mango, to chocolate and elderflower. Previous winners of the competition have brewed a Mojito Cream Ale, a Kumquat Whiskey Sour and a Mango Saison.
Concrete Beach Brewery brews a variety of beers for the greater Miami area at their Wynwood-based brewery. The brewery’s Social Hall features an 18-tap bar that serves an ever-changing roster of classic and newly-inspired beers to suit all tastes, and a rotating list of events. The Social Hall is open Monday-Thursday, 5:00pm – 11:00pm; Friday, 5:00pm – 1:00am; Saturday, 12:00pm – 1:00am; and Sunday, 12:00pm – 11:00pm.
About Concrete Beach Brewery
Concrete Beach is an artisanal craft beer brewery located in the heart of the Wynwood Arts District. Its mission is to provide great tasting craft beer inspired by the culture and flavors of Miami, all while supporting the community and arts organizations in the neighborhoods they serve. Its beers can be found on draft or in 6-packs at bars, restaurants and retail locations throughout South Florida. Visit the Brewery and Social Hall at 325 N.W. 24th Street, Miami, Florida. Concrete Beach is part of A&S Brewing Collaborative, an independently-operated subsidiary of the Boston Beer Company. Concrete Beach Brewery is online at www.concretebeachbrewery.com, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.