BURNING TO BREW Earlier this month, Shawn Tegart prepared organic pumpkins which were grown at Edible Acres for the Pumpkin Brew thats available at Arrowhead Brewing Company. Photo submitted.
Pioneer Staff
As the fruits of local labour are most abundant during the harvest season, Arrowhead Brewing Company has teamed up with Edible Acres to create a seasonal pumpkin brew.
Everyone who tried it has left with a growler, said Arrowhead co-owner Leanne Tegart. Whether youre a light or dark beer drinker, everybodys in favour of it.
She said that the brew is a brownish ale, more or less. Its the colour of an amber; right between a blonde and black.
The special beverage became available on Friday, October 11th. Since only one batch of the fire-roasted organic pumpkins was turned into beer, the seasonal drink will only be in stock until supplies last. Mrs. Tegart said that its hard to guess, but expects the stock to last until the middle to end of November. The drink is only available for purchase directly at the brewery, in one growler fills and sampler glasses.
Maybe next year well package it, but right now this is the only way, she said.
We got the pumpkins from Edible Acres; they were locally grown, said co-owner Shawn Tegart. We cut them up and fire roasted them in our backyard fire pit, and then it went into a big boiling pot its that kind of hands-on uniqueness that comes with craft beer that you dont get with bigger breweries.
Part of the reason is because of better ingredients, he added. We care a lot about making good beer. We eliminated any kind of syrups or additives, which is huge; a lot of the pumpkin beers that weve ever tried had an artificial aftertaste that was almost perfume-y, said Mr. Tegart.
Mr. Tegart said that the brews success is largely thanks to brewmaster Larry Kerwin, who mentored him before Arrowheads opening, which celebrates its one-year anniversary on Sunday, October 27th.
The idea of hand-crafted beer, Mr. Tegart said, is having a beverage prepared by your friends, family, neighbours, and community.
Everything we do basically goes back into the community, from our nine employees who live in town, to everything local we spend money on, he said. Its a win-win for everybody.
And coming soon, Arrowhead will be offering a honey brown ale, which will be sourcing
Columbia Valley honey.
After that, the Midnight Special will come back to life the same Christmas beer that was available last year.
I have to start the Christmas brew soon because it needs time to age, said Mr. Tegart. Kicking Horse Coffee will be a part of the brew, and there will be a full batch brewed; last year only half a batch was brewed.
Arrowhead will be the official event post-rally party sponsor for the Rocky Mountain Rally, which takes place on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd.
