Virginia is important to America. More U.S. Presidents were born in Virginia than in any other state and its critical role in the founding of the republic is clear to anyone with even a minimal level of American history knowledge. Now, three Virginia breweries are joining forces to create a new beer, one that celebrates freedom and demands the right to drink the beverage we love. The new beer is Give Me Stout or Give Me Death, a beer brewed in collaboration among three Virginia breweries: Stone Brewing, Ardent Craft Ales and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Stone Brewing founder Greg Koch says this assertive beer is a testament to the independence and kinship that makes America’s craft brewing industry great.
“If we wish to brew free, if we mean to retain our identity and preserve the privilege of access to independent craft beer, we must recognize it is a group effort,” proclaimed Koch. “Consider this aggressively hopped imperial stout a testament to our passion and unwillingness to settle or sell out! I know not what course others may take; but for me, give me independently brewed stout, or give me death!”
Stone Brewing just recently opened its Richmond, Virginia brewery and when the time came to work on this joint brewing effort, Stone turned to two esteemed local breweries, Ardent Craft Ales and Hardywood Park craft Brewery. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is an enthusiastic craft beer supporter and served as inspiration to the three breweries as they formulated the recipe for this new beer. Give Me Stout or Give Me Death, the end result, is a big beer that lives up to Stone’s reputation as a craft beer leader. The dark brown brew features flavors such as blackberry, raspberry, chocolate, and roasted malt. Governor McAuliffe commends Stone Brewing for its contributions to the local area and for once again brewing an excellent craft beer.
“With nearly 160 craft breweries, Virginia’s craft beer industry is booming and thanks to partnerships like this, we can continue to share the Virginia craft beer story not only up and down the East Coast, but across the U.S.,” said McAuliffe. “Stone Brewing has built an incredible operation here that is already benefiting the City of Richmond’s economy and its quality of life. Now with its first collaboration with local mainstays, Ardent Craft Ales and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Stone has created an excellent platform for future partnerships with the Virginia craft beer industry. It was a great honor to contribute to the production of this stout that touts both the history of our Commonwealth and its rich agricultural offerings, and an even greater honor to drink it!”
Give Me Stout or Give Me Death is first special release beer from the new Stone Brewing – Richmond and the first collaboration effort hosted at the new brewery. This beer will be distributed to a limited area, but a second collaboration from the same three breweries named Give Me IPA or Give Me Death will follow in the stout’s footsteps and will be released nationally in February, 2017.
Here is a quick Stone Give Me Stout or Give Me Death fact summary:
Web Site: StoneBrewing.com/givemestout
Stats: 9.5% alcohol by volume, 94 IBUs
Availability: 22-ounce bottles and draft
Hop Varieties: Belma and Nugget
National Distribution: AR, AL, DC, DE, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NH, NY, PA, RI, and VA with beer available in California only at Stone Brewing locations.
Beer Finder: find.stonebrewing.com
Look for Give Me Stout or Give Me Death beginning December 12, 2016 and continuing while supplies last.
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