From the Beer Writer: “What if we make a beer inspired by Skittles candies?” This was what Kris Ketcham, Stone Brewing Co. veteran and brewing manager at our mutual employers’ Liberty Station-based brewery-restaurant said when contemplating a collaboration beer to raise funds for my lupus campaign, Beer to the Rescue. It was worlds away from anything I had considered, but it was so interesting—and, frankly, outrageous—that I was instantly onboard. Originally planned as an IPA that would bring forth a “rainbow of fruit flavors,” we later decided that the fruitiness of Belgian yeast-borne esters against a much less-hoppier tripel recipe, would allow the 500 pounds of strawberries, oranges, lemons, limes and grapes we (lugged up ladders and) added to the fermenter tanks to shine to the utmost degree. Neither of us knew how the beer would turn out, making it a truly experimental brew, but I’ll be damned if the finished beer doesn’t smell like a flowery, fruity Belgian tripel and taste like Skittles. It’s not as sweet, but there is a confectionery quality. Bottom line, Ketcham nailed it with this light-pink, truly unique beer, which will be on tap at tomorrow’s Stone 19th Anniversary Celebration & Invitational Beer Festival at California State University San Marcos before making its official debut at a fun Beer to the Rescue event at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station on Thursday, August 20 from 5 to 9 p.m.
From the Brewer: “Who doesn’t like Skittles? It’s my favorite candy—except I hate the green apple flavor they switched to from the lime, because it ruins everything and totally interrupted the balance of the Skittles. So, for this beer, we went back to the original lime. I decided to use a Belgian tripel as the base, because it’s a better way to accentuate the fruity flavors. We sourced the fruit from all over the place. There were Concord grapes from Washington State; strawberries were from Oregon; and oranges, lemons and limes from Southern California. The point was for people to be able to experience all five of these flavors together and taste the rainbow just like if they popped a handful of Skittles into their mouths. I’m surprised with just how close the flavor of the finished beer is to the candy itself. And that carries through to the aroma, which matched the scent when we tore open an actual bag of that candy. Yet, it’s still very refreshing. The best part, by far, was watching Brandon sweat it out and do lots of manual labor…for a change!”—Kris Ketcham, Liberty Station Brewing Manager, Stone Brewing Co.
Disclosure: Brandon is the Senior Communications Specialist for Stone Brewing Co.