E-Malt.com News article: USA, IA: Okoboji Brewing Company to release Select 32 Stout to celebrate Winter Games

Iowa's newest craft brewery, Okoboji Brewing Company, is brewing up a special beer to mark the 32nd annual University of Okoboji Winter Games later this month, Sioux City Journal reported on January, 15.

Brewmaster Eric DeKeyzer said a limited run of the Okoboji Brewing Co.'s Select 32 Stout will be sold only during the upcoming Winter Games festivities, or for just a short time thereafter.

The games are Jan. 27-29 at the Iowa Great Lakes. The brewery is a presentation sponsor.

OBC has yet to open at its U.S. Highway 71 South location, but DeKeyzer said he expects to have the tasting room open by Winter Games weekend. On-site brewing will be delayed until late spring or early summer.

Before the outfit can brew beer in Dickinson County, it must have its equipment in place, be ready to operate, pass an inspection and obtain a brewing license. The brewing process itself takes 30 days.

In the meantime, OBC products are being prepared under contract by Great River Brewery in Davenport, Iowa, which makes many privately labeled craft beers, partner Rich Hart explained. Great River is using OBC's recipes and specially ordered ingredients, he said.

Three other brews, Boji Blue Pale Ale, Boji Beach Golden Rye Ale and Midwest Charm Farmhouse Ale, also will be available soon in local markets, according to Hart, whose brother-in-law and nephew, Don and Cole Martens, also are part-owners.

Hart explained that all OBC products will be produced in cans with shrink-wrap labels, in an effort to keep costs in line for its limited product runs.

The alternative, he said, would require the business to buy pre-printed cans or bottles in truck-load quantities of about 100,000 units for each label - and then find enough space to store the containers.


20 January, 2012