DENVER — The first beer of a Grisette collaboration between Thirsty Monk and Baere Brewing Co. will release at Thirsty Monk’s Denver brewery this week.
Earlier in May, Thirsty Monk and Baere Brewing created a Grisette using early spring chit malt with Landrace hops and Dandelions picked fresh from the grassy areas around Thirsty Monk’s Uptown neighborhood before adding them to the kettle. Two weeks later the Thirsty Monk and Baere teams brewed the same recipe on Baere’s brewhouse on South Broadway and blended it with a few barrels of the original batch. This beer will age in fourth-use Cognac barrels that have also held Laws Whiskey until it tastes tart and delicious. Thirsty Monk will tap its fresh and dry hopped version of this beer this week.
“A grisette, in essence, is like a saison— at least the saisons that we and Thirsty Monk enjoy drinking: low alcohol, dry finishing,” said Kevin Greer, Co-Owner at Baere.
“At Thirsty Monk we put a spotlight on how great food and beer can pair together and even have a gold medal-winning Table Beer to show for it,” said Head Brewer Brian Grace. “I wanted to expand on the sessionable and refreshing beer styles we offer that pair well with food and I have always been a fan of Baere’s ability to pull off such big flavor in a small format. I am excited to be able to offer two very different versions of Grisette, one young, fresh and hop forward and one aged in oak for a tart, refreshing and complex beer making two different food pairings.”
Grisette is a beer style originally brewed in Belgium’s Hainaut province— traditionally with spring chit barley malt and malted wheat and a prominent hop profile. It’s a sessionable style that pairs well with just about anything at the table.
The Cognac barrels, where Baere Monk is currently aging, first housed this beer during its fermentation. It will be available in bottles at Baere in coming months.
About Thirsty Monk
Founded in 2008 Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub, as well as its newly renovated Portland, OR location and its Denver brewery and tasting room where the bulk of its brewing operation occurs. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
About Baere Brewing Co.
Founded in 2014, Baere Brewing is a small 2.5 Barrel Brewhouse proudly residing in a strip mall in the Baker District of Denver, Colorado. Baere’s love for all styles of beer is reflected in their tap and bottle list. Everyone can find something they love ranging from Saisons to IPAs to Barrel Aged Sour beer. Baere is committed to supporting local products, sustainable solutions, community endeavors, and all around good time. Find them online at baerebrewing.com.