Beau’s Brewery Launching Polaris Pale Ale On Sept. 19
The Polaris Music Prize is getting its own beer thanks to Beau’s Brewery.
Beau’s Brewery has partnered with Polaris to create a custom, limited-edition beer for 2016 Polaris events leading up to, and including, the Polaris Gala being held Monday, September 19 at The Carlu in Toronto. The beer, called Polaris Pale Ale, was brewed by Beau’s to honour the artists and albums nominated for the 2016 Polaris Music Prize, and to offer a tip of the hat to the uniquely Canadian award for artistic merit.
“I am very proud that we’re able to make this beer to honour Canadian musicians,” says Beau’s co-founder Steve Beauchesne. “Polaris does an excellent job of highlighting the diversity and quality of Canadian talent, and challenged us to do the same in creating Polaris Pale Ale.”
Polaris Pale Ale is brewed with 40 kilograms of wild-harvested spruce tips, Québec-grown hops, and Ontario wheat. The 5% ABV ale pours a light orange with a frothy white head. A predominantly woodland aroma of spruce also offers subtle notes of citrusy hops. The flavour is mildly peppery, and zesty spruce is echoed here too. A medium malt backbone holds it all in place, and the finish is clean and snappy. The 600 mL bottles of Polaris Pale Ale feature Polaris-inspired artwork from Beau’s award-winning graphic design team.
“Our relationship with Beau’s is more than just a sponsorship. In the spirit of Polaris it is a collaboration,” said Polaris Founder and Executive Director Steve Jordan. “Steve Beauchesne and the team were adamant about involving us in every decision and not just slapping our logo on a pre-existing product. We’re delighted with the result and think Polaris Pale Ale pairs excellently with deep listens to our Long and Short Lists.”
Toronto craft beer fans interested in trying the new Polaris Pale Ale from Beau’s can do so September 19 from 8-11 p.m. while enjoying a Polaris-themed music playlist and a simulcast of the Polaris Gala at Toronto’s Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.) A similar event will be held at the same time and date in Prince Edward County at The Drake Devonshire Inn (Wellington, ON).
Beer fans will also be able to enjoy Polaris Pale Ale at a pre-Gala event from 5-7 p.m. at Toronto’s Drake One Fifty (150 York St.), and also later that evening at the Gala itself.
Beau’s Brewery will make a limited number of bottles of Polaris Pale Ale available in Eastern Ontario and Québec later in September.