Schlafly’s “Black IPA” to Kick Off New “Hop Allocation Series”

Schlafly is back at it again, expanding their lineup to accommodate the ever-changing beer scene. Today, they're introducing the Hop Allocation Series, a year-round IPA experience featuring eight unique beers to be released throughout 2017. First the From the Ibex Cellar series and now this! Go big or go home, I guess.

This series is actually quite an undertaking for them, even as the largest, locally owned independent brewery in Missouri. Plans call for a new IPA in the series to be released every six weeks and the beers will feature 12 distinct hops from nine farms and three countries.

We selected the farms based on our long-standing relationships with hop farmers from across the world. We wanted the hops to shine so we somewhat started backwards. We looked at our hop allocation and found styles to highlight their distinct flavors and aromas as well as complement the overall character of the beer. - Ambassador Brewer Stephen Hale

The Hop Allocation Series kicks-off with Black IPA, a new dark, roasty and hoppy beer that will be available starting next week until the end of March. Don’t be fooled by the Black IPA’s dark appearance. While it may look like a stout, its bold hop flavor, bitterness and earthy aromas scream IPA the whole way. Midnight Wheat malt gives the ale its dark appearance and smooth, full-bodied flavor. A variety of Northwest hops lend desirable crispness, and the Chinook specifically offers bittering qualities. The combination of wheat, malt and hops result in robust and earthy aromas. The Schlafly brewing team then dry-hops with the Eureka! hop, resulting in an IPA with a hop profile that backs up the dark, malty backbone.

Cheers!

Schlafly Black IPA can be purchased on draft or in six-packs of bottles at the Bottleworks or Tap Room locations. The six-packs ($9.99 suggested retail) are also available across the brewery’s entire distribution region. For more on Schlafly Beer’s distribution and products, visit www.schlafly.com/beers/distribution.