Brewed with our friends from Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company in Gilbert, Arizona, and Creature Comforts Brewing Company in Athens, Georgia, Collaboration No. 7 – Oak-Aged Lager debuts in the Greater Kansas City Area on draft on August 21^st and in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles on August 22^nd with other regions to follow in the coming weeks!

For our first collaboration featuring three breweries, we selected our partners following the same approach we’ve used for previous collaboration projects. Our goal is to work with brewers for whom we have mutual respect while learning new techniques and celebrating the strengths of each brewery. Arizona Wilderness has become known as champions for local ingredients in innovative beers while the Creature Comforts crew is “dedicated to better being through being curious.” It’s no coincidence that we absolutely LOVE enjoying beers with both brewery teams. For the full backstory on our relationships with both breweries, please head to a previous Brewer’s Blog post.

Built on a base of two-row pale malt, Sonoran White Wheat, honey malt and corn grits, Collaboration No. 7 – Oak-Aged Lager showcases Riesling grape juice, peaches and lemon zest in a crisp lager hopped with Nelson Sauvin, Lemondrop and Hallertau Blancs. Following fermentation with the Ayinger lager strain, Collaboration No. 7 was briefly aged on Cuvee No. 5 Tank Staves, French oak staves that impart fruit, spice, toast and tannins similar to aging in a fresh/virgin French oak barrel.

At 6% ABV and 16 IBUs, Collaboration No. 7 Oak-Aged Lager pours a brilliant golden color with tight, off-white lacing. Bright aromas of peach and Riesling grapes mingle with the tropical fruit notes provided by subtle hopping. Lemon zest accentuates the naturally citrusy character of the beer as the malt bill forms a slightly sweet, honey-like base from which the chosen regional ingredients shine. French oak character lends a drying effect resulting in a bright, fruity lager that finishes incredibly crisp. Bottle conditioned with champagne yeast, Collaboration No. 7 – Oak-Aged Lager has fluffy, effervescent carbonation that scrubs the palate and begs for another sip.

Available on draft and in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles, Collaboration No. 7 – Oak-Aged Lager will be distributed through the Boulevard distribution network and should be available in the coming weeks in locations that typically see Smokestack Series Limited Release beers like Saison Brett, Love Child Blends and previous collaboration projects.

- Jeremy Danner, Ambassador Brewer

About Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company:

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company has a true passion for its craft. That passion stems from our owners Jonathan and Patrick's exploration of the vastly diverse state of Arizona. They allow their love for Arizona to influence their vision for creating high quality, artfully crafted beers. That passion has turned into a mission in which highlighting Arizona's agricultural community is a root cause. It is the essence of naturalism and conservation that truly excites this brewery!

About Creature Comforts Brewing Company:

Creature Comforts is an Athens, Georgia based brewery offering finely balanced artisanal beers. Since opening its doors in April 2014, Creature Comforts has made an imprint in the craft beer community with its award-winning, year-round and special release beers. To learn more about Creature Comforts, visit us online at www.creaturecomfortsbeer.com.